The National Wastewater Drug Monitoring report from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission also reveals that cannabis use in some parts of regional SA was the highest in the nation, while higher pharmaceutical opioid consumption was “particularly evident” in the state.

Nationally, methylamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, MDMA, MDA and ketamine use increased over the warmer months, however heroin, oxycodone and cannabis use decreased, according to the report.

It comes after several high-profile methamphetamine busts during that time including $720 million worth of the drug smuggled in canola oil bottles from Canada and $41m worth hidden inside plastic barrels of white vinegar from Turkey.

The commission’s acting chief executive, Matt Rippon, said the overall findings were disturbing and reminded Australians their illicit drug habits fund organised crime.

“The sole beneficiaries of this increased consumption are serious and organised crime groups which make significant profits from their illegal activities,” Rippon said.

The findings were based on wastewater testing at 57 treatment plants in capital cities and regional areas from December 2022 to February 2023.

Cannabis is officially the third most used substance behind nicotine and alcohol after scientists developed a way to compare its consumption with other drugs.

It was used at least twice as much as methylamphetamine, but the report did not distinguish between legal or prescription use and illegal consumption.

Cocaine use rose significantly between August and December 2022 to become the fourth most popular substance.

The commission ranked findings by capital city and found Sydneysiders consumed the most cocaine, MDMA and nicotine while Melburnians had the most heroin, fentanyl and ketamine.

Methylamphetamine was most popular in Adelaide, the highest amount of alcohol was detected in Darwin while the largest amounts of cannabis and oxycodone were found in Hobart.

Perth ranked first for MDA use and the second-highest heroin and oxycodone use was in the ACT.

Of all regional areas, NSW residents used the most cocaine and fentanyl while the highest amounts of MDMA and oxycodone were found in Queensland.

The most MDA was detected in regional South Australia, heroin was most popular in Victoria and the highest cannabis and methylamphetamine consumption was in Western Australia.

Australia has the sixth-highest illicit drug consumption out of 28 countries, based on data collected by the Sewage Core Group Europe in March to May 2022.

Australia had the third-highest methylamphetamine use and sixth-highest cannabis use per capita.

The data collection and analysis is done by the University of Queensland, and through it the University of South Australia.

– with AAP