The ACT, along with Tasmania, reported the highest average capital city consumption of fentanyl nationally in April 2018.
Canberra has the equal highest use of the powerful opioid painkiller fentanyl in the nation, according to a new report from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).
The ACIC has released the fifth report of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program, revealing the Australian Capital Territory (along with Tasmania) reported the highest average capital city consumption of fentanyl nationally in April 2018.
The ACT, where one site was monitored in April 2018, also reported an increase in methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDA, oxycodone, fentanyl and heroin consumption but found nicotine and alcohol remain the highest consumed substances.
Using wastewater data derived from the program from August 2016 to August 2017, it is estimated that more than 8.3 tonnes of methylamphetamine is consumed in Australia each year, as well as more than 3 tonnes of cocaine, 1.2 tonnes of MDMA and more than 700 kilograms of heroin. For the first time, this report includes a breakdown of these national estimates to the state and territory level.
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Chief Executive Officer, Michael Phelan said that 80.4 kilograms of methylamphetamine was consumed in the ACT each year, as well as 67.8 kilograms of cocaine, 28.9 kilograms of MDMA and 16.1 kilograms of heroin.
The report notes the increase in fentanyl consumption, particularly in regional sites. Average fentanyl consumption in both capital city and regional sites in April 2018 were the highest levels recorded since the program began, with regional consumption more than doubling from April 2017 to April 2018.
While fentanyl consumption measured by the program reflects both licit and illicit use, increased consumption is of concern as the high potency of fentanyl greatly increases the risk of overdose.
“The National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program is the first of its kind in Australia, providing leading-edge, coordinated national research and intelligence on illicit and licit drugs,” he said.
“The program provides law enforcement, policy, regulatory and health agencies additional and more objective data on the use of methylamphetamine and 11 other drugs.
“This creates opportunities to shape the response to both the demand and the supply side of the illicit drug market, particularly in high-use areas.”
For this report, 47 wastewater sites were monitored nationally in April 2018, covering 54.8 per cent of Australia’s population—around 12.8 million people.
“On a national level, alcohol and nicotine remain the highest-consumed substances and methylamphetamine continues to be the most consumed illicit drug tested,” Mr Phelan said.
The ACIC received $3.6 million over three years from Proceeds of Crime funding for the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program. The University of Queensland and the University of South Australia were commissioned to deliver the program and prepare the research findings.
The full report is available on the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission website: www.acic.gov.au
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