The consumption of most major drugs in Canberra has increased dramatically in the past three years, a new report has found.
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Analysis of the ACT's wastewater by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission found Canberrans were among the highest opioid users in the nation.
The wastewater data, collected in August 2019, also showed Canberrans were among some of the highest cocaine users in the country, only behind Sydney and Melbourne.
Since the beginning of the regular wastewater reports in 2017, the use of almost all drugs collected in the samples has increased.
Since 2017, the consumption of methylamphetamine - also known as the drug ice - has risen by nearly 49 per cent.
Cocaine use is up by 23 per cent and MDMA is up by 28 per cent.
However, the amount of heroin used by Canberrans has decreased in the past three years by almost 30 per cent.
The August 2019 survey was the ninth carried out by the commission, taking samples from 58 sites across the country, representing more than 13 million people.
The locations of the site are not known with the samples being collected over the course of a week.
Nationally, 11.5 tonnes of methylamphetamine was consumed in Australia last year, along with 4.6 tonnes of cocaine, 2.2 tonnes of MDMA and 900 kilograms of heroin.
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The commission's chief executive Michael Phelan said it was estimated $11.3 billion was spent on illicit drugs last year, $8.6 billion on methylampethamine alone.
"This is one of the more tragic, harmful and wasteful aspects of illicit drug markets," Mr Phelan said.
"Australians are spending a significant amount of money on illicit substances each year, generating profits for the sole benefit of organised crime groups.
"This is money that might otherwise be spent on legitimate goods for themselves and their families."
The report found the consumption of most drugs was higher per capita in regional areas with the exception of cocaine and heroin.
Cannabis consumption also increased across regional areas.
Among legal drugs recorded by the report, the Northern Territory was found to be some of highest consumers of nicotine and alcohol with Tasmania close behind.
Mr Phelan said the reports aimed to identify indicators of the harm caused by drugs across the community.
"Illicit drugs have a devastating impact on everyday Australians," he said.
"Organised criminals involved in the illicit drug trade prey on our communities to make a profit. They don't care about the devastation caused through health and social costs or the drug-related crime."
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
