In Australia, drug use—in particular the use of illicit drugs through injection—is on the increase. In just one year, use of methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and heroin increased exponentially. The latest report reveals that methylamphetamine use alone soared by 34% in 2024 compared to 2023, underscoring a troubling trend in the nation’s drug landscape.
Australians used an incredible 22.2 tonnes of these four drugs together. Beyond bus service, this new data from August 2023 continues through 2024. Collectively, the street value of this illegal market is worth more than $11.5 billion. Methylamphetamine created a significant dent in the illicit market, with its usage valued at $8.9 billion. That amount — a staggering 78% of market value — constitutes a de facto sales tax.
Methylamphetamine Trends
Perhaps most concerning, as the report notes the dramatic rise in methylamphetamine consumption — up 34%. This increase is most sharply felt in the Northern Territory, where usage has increased significantly. According to Heather Cook, a leading voice for the National Monitoring Program referenced in the introduction, this increase is not only alarming but unprecedented.
“The 2.2 tonne increase in national meth consumption is concerning because 12.8 tonnes is the highest annual level recorded by the program and the drug causes significant community harm,” – Heather Cook
Yet the report points out that methylamphetamine is essentially identical to amphetamines. This similarity further complicates the challenges that authorities face in their efforts to manage drug use and its harms.
Cocaine and MDMA Consumption Rise
Alarmingly, cocaine saw the largest jump in use, up 69%. Similar patterns were found in the Northern Territory, where cocaine use skyrocketed. Heather Cook commented on the seriousness of this development, connecting it to the drug market’s increasingly dangerous trends.
“Similarly, there has been a large increase in national cocaine consumption, also to the highest annual level recorded by our wastewater program.” – Heather Cook
MDMA use increased by 49% Tell-A-Vision Heeding the warning Significantly, these results demonstrate the profound changing tides of consumption across Australia. In addition, MDMA use is increasing—similar to use of cocaine, as well as methylamphetamine. This trend is an indication that different illicit drug markets across the spectrum are re-emerging.
Heroin Usage and Regional Variations
Heroin was a bit behind the curve with a 14% rise in use. Interestingly enough, it was Tasmania that recorded the highest increases in heroin use during these years. With heroin use climbing, Australia’s drug epidemic and the issues surrounding it become increasingly complex. It remains out in front in the annual per capita consumption among the four surveyed drugs.
Heather Cook followed, describing these trends and connecting them to changes in our culture at large.
“This increase reflects, in part, the recovery of these illicit drug markets following the impact of COVID-19 restrictions,” – Heather Cook
The influence of transnational and domestic crime groups has made the issue worse. Traffickers have quickly rebuilt and enlarged their operations to take advantage of booming demand and new, more sophisticated trafficking approaches.
