Australia's record-high methamphetamine and cocaine use revealed by wastewater data
Consensus Summary
Australia’s wastewater drug monitoring program has revealed record-high levels of methamphetamine and cocaine use, with consumption of meth rising from 8,405 tonnes to 15,971 tonnes in 2024-25, marking a 23% increase. Cocaine use also surged by 20%, while heroin consumption hit record levels in cities. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) reported these findings in April 2026, based on data from 64 treatment plants nationwide. While the total market value of illicit drugs reached $14.3 billion, with meth accounting for 77% of expenditure, experts caution that wastewater data alone cannot determine whether more people are using drugs or if existing users are consuming more frequently. Regional areas showed higher per capita use of meth, cannabis, and oxycodone, though population surveys indicate lower overall drug use prevalence in these regions. The data underscores the resilience of drug markets, driven by transnational crime groups adapting to supply disruptions, and highlights the need for harm-reduction strategies alongside law enforcement efforts.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Australia's wastewater drug monitoring program detected methamphetamine use at a record high in 2024-25, with consumption rising from 8,405 tonnes to 15,971 tonnes (a 23% increase).
- Cocaine use also reached record highs nationally, with 7,985 tonnes consumed in 2024-25 (a 20% increase).
- The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) released the latest wastewater drug monitoring report in April 2026, covering data from August 2024 to 2025.
- Heroin consumption reached record levels in cities, with a 23% increase in use.
- Regional areas in Australia showed higher per capita use of meth, cannabis, and oxycodone compared to capital cities.
- The total market value of meth, cocaine, MDMA, and heroin increased from $11.5 billion in 2023-24 to $14.3 billion in 2024-25, with meth representing 77% of total expenditure.
- Wastewater testing was conducted across 64 treatment plants nationwide to estimate drug consumption.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Wastewater data cannot distinguish between quantity and frequency of drug use, meaning it cannot determine if more people are using drugs or if existing users are consuming more.
- National surveys show a decrease in methamphetamine use prevalence over the past 15 years, but harms (e.g., treatment needs, ambulance call-outs) have increased due to more potent forms and intensive use among a smaller group.
- MDMA use may be leveling off after earlier peaks, possibly reflecting a stabilizing market post-pandemic.
- Heroin use fluctuates due to changes in supply, purity, or availability of treatments like methadone, with less than 1% of the population using it regularly.
- Wastewater data suggests regional drug use may appear higher due to fewer treatment services, greater economic stress, and tighter social networks, amplifying harm.
- The wastewater report notes that increases in stimulant prescriptions (e.g., ADHD medications) could influence results, but the scale of methamphetamine increase is unlikely to be explained by prescriptions alone.
- The data highlights the resilience of drug markets despite law enforcement efforts, with transnational crime groups adapting to maintain supply.
- Australia became the second-largest global consumer of methamphetamine, trailing only the US, according to the Sewage Core Group Europe (SCORE).
- The Northern Territory recorded the largest annual increase in meth use (38%), followed by Tasmania (36%) and the Australian Capital Territory (30%).
- Cocaine use rose by 36% in the Northern Territory and 33% in Western Australia.
- Heroin use in the Northern Territory rose by 50%, and MDMA use in New South Wales increased by 49%.
- Sydney recorded the highest ketamine use of any area in Australia.
- Nicotine use increased by 4% nationally, while alcohol consumption increased in regional areas but decreased in capital cities.
- The report highlights the emergence of synthetic opioids in the Australian market.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC states that wastewater data shows methamphetamine use is at a '10-year high,' while the Guardian specifies that consumption almost doubled in the past decade, rising from 8,405 tonnes to 15,971 tonnes.
- The ABC notes that cannabis use is not mentioned as increasing in wastewater data, while the Guardian explicitly states that cannabis remained Australia’s most consumed illicit drug but usage decreased nationally between 2024 and 2025.
Source Articles
Wastewater data suggests meth use is at a record high. Here’s why we don’t need to panic
At first glance, these findings sound alarming, but before we draw big conclusions about worsening drug use, it's worth taking a closer look at what this data can and can't tell us.
Australia becomes second largest consumer of methamphetamine globally, wastewater monitoring reveals
Cocaine use also reaches record highs, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission figures show Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Methamphetamine use in Australia has almost doubled in the past decade and stimulants are being taken at record highs , new wastewater monitoring reveals. On Wednesday evening the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (Acic) released its latest annual report after testing wastewater samples from 64 treatment plants across the country b