Queenslanders nearly tripled their cocaine and ecstasy consumption over the past four years but the COVID pandemic temporarily put a brake on surging ice use, according to a new study. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission s latest wastewater drug monitoring report for August 2020 found the pandemic had altered the drug landscape in Australia . Methamphetamine (ice) consumption dropped to the lowest levels recorded in four years of testing as the pandemic disrupted supply chains. But ice was still the nation s most consumed illicit drug by a large margin , according to the report. Interestingly, however, the COVID restrictions appear not to have had a tangible adverse national impact on the major drug markets other than methamphetamine and fentanyl between April and August 2020, the report says.
NT loves drugs, booze, smokes: Wastewater data Territorians on average continue to drink and smoke and take MDMA the most in the country
Health by JUDITH AISTHORPE
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Subscriber only TERRITORIANS on average continue to consume the most booze, nicotine and MDMA in the country, according to the latest wastewater data. Cocaine consumption also increased in Darwin while consumption decreased regionally. The data is part of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program run by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and took wastewater samples at a capital city waste treatment facility and regional site in August of last year. Australia-wide an estimated $8.9bn was spent on methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and heroin with 78 per cent - $6.96bn - spent on methylamphetamine.