Adelaide named Australia’s ice hotspot in global wastewater study
Adelaide is the ice capital of Australia, according an international drugs study that measured usage via a city’s wastewater.The paper, published in global science journal Addiction, tracked the use of illicit drugs in 37 countries over seven years by analysing wastewater samples.Researchers found that over a week in 2017, between 507 and 659 milligrams of methamphetamine per 1000 people each day were recorded in Adelaide’s wastewater.
Canberra and Toowoomba were also tested, but only recorded levels of 271 to 331 milligrams of methamphetamine per 1000 people each day.According to researchers, ice usage appears to be on the rise in some locations.”Canberra and Toowoomba were also monitored in 2014 and 2015, showing a 170 per cent increase in methamphetamine use in both cities in a three-year period,” the University of South Australia said in its official release. “Adelaide was only monitored once.
“The amount of methamphetamine (ice) excreted in Australasia and North America was huge, far exceeding levels in eastern Europe, which was at the time still considered high with average levels more than 150 mg/1000 people per day,” UniSA said.”Adelaide in contrast recorded levels above 600mg.”One of the study’s lead authors Dr Richard Bade said analysing wastewater samples may give authorities the tools to help reduce illicit drug use in the community.”It’s important we determine the scale of the illicit drug market so that countries can work out the best way to tackle a $100 billion industry, which is contributing to the global burden of disease and affecting the economic development of many countries,” said Dr Bade.