Do the levels of pharmaceutical drugs in wastewater in Australia vary by geographic location?
Oxycodone and fentanyl use vary substantially between Australian jurisdictions†. Both oxycodone and fentanyl use were higher in regional areas than in capital cities.
Estimated oxycodone consumption for April 2022 in mass consumed per day (left axis) and doses per day (right axis) per thousand people^
Estimated fentanyl consumption for April 2022 in mass consumed per day (left axis) and doses per day (right axis) per thousand people^
Estimated average oxycodone consumption per jurisdiction for April 2022 in mg consumed per day per thousand people^
Estimated average fentanyl consumption per jurisdiction for April 2022 in mg consumed per day per thousand people^
^ The number of collection days varied from 5-7 days
Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (2022). National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program: Report 17. Canberra: ACIC.
Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (2022). National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program: Report 17. Canberra: ACIC.
† This FAQ uses data from the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program, which measures the major metabolite of oxycodone and fentanyl, two legally prescribed pharmaceuticals with abuse potential. Please note that wastewater analysis cannot differentiate between prescribed use and use for non-medical purposes.