Meth was the most commonly consumed illicit drug tested across all Australian regions
A high use of methylamphetamine and prescription medications is a problem for regional Australia, according to an Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) report designed to combat illicit drugs. The Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), a University of Queensland research centre, led the first of nine National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program reports. Professor Jochen Mueller said the program, conducted in conjunction with the University of South Australia, analysed wastewater from 51 sites, accounting for 58 per cent of Australia's population. "Methylamphetamine is described by ACIC as an 'illicit drug of disproportionate harm', hence a particular focus on its consumption," Professor Mueller said. "Higher than national average levels of meth were consumed in Western Australia and South Australia, while regional Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania also returned high levels. "Use of prescription medications fentanyl and oxycodone across all jurisdictions has been increasing, particularly in regional Queensland, but is still detected at a much lower level than meth." UQ Professor Wayne Hall , from the Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research (CYSAR), was another contributor to the wastewater research. He said while alcohol and tobacco were the highest consumed drugs in all states and territories, methylamphetamine was the most commonly consumed illicit drug tested across all Australian regions.
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