Do the levels of pharmaceutical drugs in wastewater in Australia vary by geographic location?
Oxycodone and fentanyl use vary substantially between Australian jurisdictions†.
Oxycodone use was highest in Tasmania and lowest in Western Australia. Fentanyl use was highest in Tasmania, but relatively similar in all other jurisdictions. Both oxycodone and fentanyl use were substantially higher in regional areas than in capital cities.
† 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. Further information on the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program is available here.