Australians have reached record levels of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and MDMA consumption in 2024, according to the nation’s annual wastewater survey. This comprehensive study, conducted by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), revealed that approximately 22 tonnes of these substances were consumed nationwide. New South Wales (NSW) topped the charts with over 7,000 kilograms, while Canberra accounted for about 300 kilograms.
The wastewater survey, initiated by the ACIC in 2016, remains one of the most reliable methods for measuring drug usage in Australia. It covers 57 percent of Australian households, representing around 14.5 million people. In addition to the four major substances, the survey also tracks the use of cannabis, nicotine, opioids, amphetamines, ketamine, and alcohol.
Global Trends and Local Impacts
ACIC principal drugs specialist Shane Neilson highlighted significant changes in international drug consumption patterns since the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted,
“What’s been seen nationally, there’s record production and cultivation of illicit drugs globally, and so there’s a lot of products being transported around the world, including, unfortunately, to Australia.”
This influx has affected the street-level prices of some illicit substances, with profits from the four major drugs declining by $900 million to $11.5 billion.
Despite the increased availability, Canberra exhibited below-average usage in most categories. However, the region was above the national average for cannabis, heroin, and oxycodone consumption. The most notable increase has been in cocaine use, with Australia named the world’s largest per capita consumer of the drug by a United Nations report in June.
Rising Cocaine Usage
The popularity of cocaine has surged in recent years. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) experienced an 84 percent increase in usage from 2023 to 2024. Meanwhile, NSW, despite being the global leader in consumption, recorded the country’s lowest increase at 44 percent. The Northern Territory outpaced both with a staggering 222 percent rise.
This surge occurs despite numerous record drug busts, including a significant seizure of 2.4 tonnes of cocaine last December, which accounted for nearly a third of the country’s annual average consumption. The ACIC reports that drug smuggling operations are becoming larger and more frequent, with some substances seeing more quantities seized than consumed annually.
The Economics of Drug Trade
Mr. Neilson attributes the persistent drug trade to the profitability of the Australian market. He explained,
“There are a couple of factors here. Number one in per capita terms, Australians consume illicit drugs, particularly illicit stimulants, at a very high level. Secondly, for the major illicit drugs, Australian drug users pay premium prices in world terms.”
These factors create a lucrative market for organized crime groups, making the trade unlikely to slow down.
The ACIC report underscores that increasingly complex manufacturing and smuggling networks are expected to grow. Despite ongoing efforts to curb the influx of illicit substances, the survey concludes that a decrease in drug usage in Australia is improbable in the near future.
Future Implications
The demand for major drugs remains resilient and challenging to address. As long as Australian users continue to consume these substances and pay high prices, the market will remain attractive to suppliers. The report concludes,
“Demand for the major drugs is resilient and difficult to address. This will continue while Australian drug users choose to consume these substances and to pay premium prices in world terms for the drugs.”
As Australia grapples with these challenges, authorities are likely to intensify efforts to combat drug smuggling and reduce consumption. However, the complex interplay of global production, local demand, and economic incentives suggests that the road ahead will be fraught with challenges.
