Wastewater drug testing shows Tasmania’s shame
It’s the crown that no state or territory in Australia would want, but it’s Tasmania and Hobart’s to own. The state is officially the highest user of cannabis in capital city areas.
The shameful record was highlighted in the sixth report of the National Wastewater Monitoring Program, released today (20th February). The program involves drug testing wastewater in a substantial number of sites Australia-wide. For the sixth report, 58 wastewater sites were monitored; five of those sites were in Tasmania with 3 capital city sites and two regional sites.
The most recent report found that Tasmania topped the charts for cannabis consumption for all capital city sites Australia-wide. Our regional sites didn’t fare much better, recording the second highest cannabis consumption levels. Our state also recorded the highest level of consumption for MDA (from the same family of drugs as MDMA or ecstasy), as well as oxycodone and fentanyl, in both capital city and regional sites nationwide. The latter two drugs are licit but often sourced illicitly and/or used above recommended dosages.
Below are some other highlights and lowlights for Tasmania from the 6h report of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program. It’s worth noting that the program doesn’t just focus on illicit drugs, but also licit substances such as alcohol and tobacco.
Wastewater drug testing in Tasmania (comparison between 5th and 6th reports):
- Average nicotine consumption decreased in both capital city and regional sites
- Average alcohol consumption also decreased in capital city sites, but increased in regional sites
- Average methylamphetamine (e.g. ICE) consumption increased in both capital city and regional sites
- Average cocaine consumption decreased in capital city sites and increased in regional sites
- Average MDMA consumption increased in both capital city and regional sites
- Average MDA consumption decreased in capital city and remained relatively stable in regional sites
- Average oxycodone consumption increased in both capital city and regional sites
- Average fentanyl consumption increased in capital city and decreased in regional sites
- Average heroin consumption decreased in capital city sites and increased in regional sites
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Chief Executive Officer, Mr Michael Phelan APM, says the wastewater drug testing helps to increase Australia’s understanding of drug consumption nationwide and helps identify drug use patterns across states, territories and the nation.
Drug testing in Tasmania
Integrity Sampling won’t conduct drug testing on your wastewater, but we can conduct drug testing on your employees in Tasmania. We have branches in Hobart, Devonport and Launceston and service much of the state. Phone us on 1300 SALIVA to discuss your needs.
IMAGE CAPTION:
Drug testing of wastewater has identified that Tasmanians are the highest users of cannabis in the nation’s capital city areas. Credit Martijn and Montgomery County Planning Commission (images modified) https://www.flickr.com/photos/van_mij/3998139338/ and https://www.flickr.com/photos/75012107@N05/45033203272/.
