Report 22 of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program collected for up to 7 days in both December 2023 and February 2024. The December 2023 sampling included both regional and capital city sites, while the February 2024 sampling was limited to capital city sites. In December, 56 sites participated, representing 14 million Australians. This accounts for about 55% of the national population in December and 48% in February. A total of 514 new samples have been added to the 10,675 previously collected, bringing the total number since the beginning of the Program to 11,189. The collected samples provide comprehensive Australia-wide baseline data against which subsequent results can be compared to ascertain both spatial and temporal trends.
Alcohol and nicotine were the highest consumed drugs in all states and territories in December 2023, followed by cannabis and methylamphetamine. The scale of drug consumption for the remaining drugs varied by state and territory.
Methylamphetamine consumption patterns have shown a significant increase in regional areas over the last 2 reporting periods, with the highest levels recorded in each jurisdiction within the past 2 years. This upward trend underscores a growing concern over methylamphetamine use, particularly in regional communities.
Longitudinal data figures are available by state and territory and drug type, as a guide to trends over the period the respective drugs have been monitored by the wastewater program.
Full report
Media material
Longitudinal data figures, by state and territory and drug type
View previous reports from the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program.