Data from Australia's National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program, released in April 2026, indicates that methamphetamine use has reached a record high across the country. The program, which analyzes wastewater samples from treatment plants covering approximately 60% of the population, detected elevated levels of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fluctuating heroin use.
According to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), which oversees the program, methamphetamine consumption has increased significantly since 2020, with regional areas showing particularly high usage. Cocaine use has also risen, while MDMA appears to be stabilizing. Experts emphasize that the data reflects consumption patterns but does not necessarily indicate a public health crisis, as usage may be concentrated in certain demographics.
Dr. Nicole Lee, an addiction specialist from the National Drug Research Institute, noted that the increase could be due to higher purity or more frequent use among existing users, rather than a surge in new users. She advised against panic, stating that wastewater data is a useful tool for monitoring trends but should be interpreted alongside other indicators like treatment admissions and overdose deaths.
The ACIC report also highlighted that heroin use remains relatively stable, with some fluctuations in different regions. The findings are part of ongoing efforts to inform drug policy and harm reduction strategies in Australia.
