WA dubbed ‘meth capital’ as consumption highest in nation for capital cities and regions using illicit drug

WA has been dubbed Australia’s “Meth Capital” with consumption at the highest level in Perth and the regions according to wastewater testing results. The Australian Crime and Intelligence Commission’s latest surveillance report has found Perth had the highest estimated average capital city consumption of methamphetamine in August 2024 when compared to the population. The same comparison also found Western Australia was the highest for average regional consumption. Meth remains the State’s most used drugs with a staggering 1.7 tonnes consumed in 12 months, an increase of 30 percent compared to the previous period. Nationally, WA is the fourth largest consumer by weight behind New South Wales (3.6t), Victoria (3.5t), and Queensland (2.5t). The ACIC report also found cocaine consumption across the State has almost doubled in 12 months, reaching its highest level in eight years. More than 235 kilos was estimated to have been consumed in the 12 months to August 2024, an increase of 89 per cent in a year. Annual consumption has increased by 191kg since 2016. ACIC chief executive Heather Cook said the increased drug use across the country was proof of the threat posed by organised criminals and outlaw motorcycle gangs. “Serious and organised crime groups exploit Australia’s high demand for illicit drugs and are focused on maximising profit at the expense of the community’s security and wellbeing,” Ms Cook said. “Wastewater data, when combined with other drugs-related information, helps the ACIC and our partners develop a comprehensive understanding of illicit drug markets. “This combined data strongly indicates a concerning level of market growth, extending beyond the markets for illicit stimulants.” MDMA consumption also rose sharply across WA over 12 months — up 65 per cent to 110.3 kilograms. Across the country consumption of illicit drugs is on the rise, according to the reports overall findings, a combined 22.2 tonnes of methylamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and MDMA was consumed over 12 months. It represents a 34% increase from the previous year, with Australia’s methylamphetamine us up 21 percent, followed by cocaine at 69 percent and MDMA 49% per cent. “There has been a large increase in national cocaine consumption, also to the highest annual level recorded by our wastewater program,” Ms Cook said. Last financial year the Australian Border Force and the Australian Federal Police seized more than 33 tonnes of illicit drugs and precursors nationally.