‘Wicked’ grip of ice

Drug harm to Aussies revealed

AUSTRALIANS are the second-most prolific users of ice in the world, a landmark new report says.

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission’s study, released on Thursday, compares drug use across the globe and found only addicts in the US used more ice on average than Aussies.

Ice was taken 51 times a day for every 1000 people in the US, while there were 48 hits each day for every 1000 Australians in April 2020.

That use dipped in April this year to 41 doses per day for every 1000 Australians, but it was still above the next highest users, the Czech Republic and New Zealand.

The ACIC described methylamphetamine, or ice use, as a “wicked problem” both imported by organised crime groups and made here.

Australia was ranked seventh in the world for ecstasy and cannabis use, and 16th for cocaine consumption.

The study compared toilet wastewater detections in Australia with similar studies across the globe under the Sewage Core Group Europe, or Score measure.

ACIC chief executive Michael Phelan said the results gave a snapshot of the scourge of drugs in Australia.

“Much of the harm that Australians suffer at the hands of organised crime is due to illicit drugs,” he said.

“Serious and organised crime groups profit from the importation, manufacture, trafficking and sale of drugs that cause harm.”

The data also provides crucial clues on areas of high use, which may also be linked local drug cook operations.

“Law-enforcement agencies can commence some investigations in the knowledge that the impact on local drug consumption can be measured by wastewater analysis, government and health agencies can effectively allocate resources to priority areas, and the public can be informed of the level of harm caused,” Mr Phelan said.

Australians pay top dollar for drugs, with the wholesale price of cocaine hitting up to $320,000 a kilogram in recent months after the massive Operation Ironside bust.

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