National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Latest Results

The National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program has published its latest results, showing some of the changes in patterns of substance use during covid-19 restrictions. The research involves testing wastewater at sites across Australia, covering around 56% of the Australian population. The report noted declines in alcohol consumption around April, when covid-19 restrictions were in place across most of the country. This was mostly noted during weekends, where alcohol consumption would typically increase. From June onwards, as restrictions lifted, alcohol consumption appeared to increase to previous levels. Regional areas of Australia saw increases in methamphetamine detections in wastewater, while one jurisdiction saw the average MDMA consumption exceed methamphetamine consumption for the first time.

Go to the “National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program Report 11, 2020”