Do levels of methamphetamine in wastewater in Australia vary by geographic location?
The amount of methylamphetamine found in Australian wastewater varies substantially between Australian jurisdictions†.
In general, consumption levels were higher in regional areas compared to capital cities. Regional Western Australian had the highest consumption nationally in April 2024.
Estimated methylamphetamine consumption for April 2024 in mass consumed per day (left axis) and doses per day (right axis) per thousand people^
Estimated average consumption of methylamphetamine by state/territory, August 2021 to June 2024.
^ The number of collection days varied from 5-7 days
Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (2023). National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program: Report 23. Canberra: ACIC.
Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (2024). National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program: Report 23. Canberra: ACIC.
† This FAQ uses data from the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program. Methylamphetamine excretion was measured. Methylamphetamine is also commonly known as methamphetamine. No attempt was made to differentiate amphetamine use from the proportion of methylamphetamine excreted as amphetamine.