Wastewater testing makes headlines, but they ignore the one drug we really need to worry about |
Wastewater testing makes headlines, but they ignore the one drug we really need to worry about
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The latest National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program Report contains some uncomfortable truths for West Australians.
As areas in regional WA have the highest overall methamphetamine consumption, Perth’s illicit usage continues to also rank high among Australia’s capital cities.
This report points to a sustained demand of illicit drug use, with an estimated 26.8 tonnes of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and MDMA consumed nationally between August 2024 and August 2025 – a 21 per cent increase on the previous year.
But for me, this isn’t a reason to overreact.
I keep asking myself: does this mean methamphetamine is the drug of most concern in WA right now? In my opinion, the short answer is no.
And if you read between the lines, this report tells us where we should be paying closer attention, too.
It’s a legal drug many Australians are still uncomfortable grappling with: alcohol.
The National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program has been running for nine years and through the life of that program national consumption of nicotine and alcohol far exceeded consumption of all other substances being monitored.
In addition, cannabis consumption is on the rise, exceeding........