Australians Increasing Ketamine Use While Decreasing Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption
There have been high levels of the tranquilizer found in wastewater in city and rural areas, raising concerns that it may be adulterated with other substances.
Australians are using record amounts of the drug ketamine, leading to warnings from experts that it may be increasingly mixed with dangerous substances as dealers try to meet the growing demand.
The latest National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program (NWDMP) report, commissioned by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, examined wastewater samples from 59 sites in April and June.
Researchers at the University of Queensland and the University of South Australia analyzed the samples for the presence of drugs.
While the highest concentrations detected were legal drugs like alcohol and nicotine, their consumption has been declining nationally over the past two years, with some exceptions in certain geographic areas.
Regional areas showed higher nicotine use, with particularly elevated levels in Hobart and the Northern Territory.
Methylamphetamine consumption varies greatly across the country, with some sites in South Australia, Western Australia, and Victoria showing significantly higher use.
Although current methylamphetamine use is above average levels, it has not reached the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cocaine use is highest in Sydney and other capital cities compared to regional areas, with some regional sites in New South Wales and Queensland also reporting high readings.
Despite a decrease in national cocaine consumption since December 2023, it remains higher than pre-pandemic levels, suggesting a potential long-term growth in the market.
Falling Cannabis Use, Low Opioid Consumption
MDMA use remains low, while cannabis use varies across the country, being higher in regional areas.
Several capital city sites recorded cannabis consumption below the national average. Australia has seen record-low regional consumption of oxycodone and fentanyl amidst a crisis in the U.S.
However, ketamine detection rates are at record highs in both capital cities and regional areas, indicating increasing use and causing concern.
Once primarily obtained through theft from hospitals and veterinary clinics, ketamine is now more readily available, raising concerns of large-scale illicit manufacturing in South East Asia.
In its pure form, ketamine has anesthetic qualities but when sold illicitly, it is often mixed with other dangerous substances.
The deaths of Matthew Perry and Liam Payne have been attributed to high ketamine use, highlighting the dangers of consuming the drug.
Researchers warn that the purity of ketamine in Australia varies greatly, with possible dangerous substances being added. Analogues with similar chemical structures may also be present, increasing the risk of overdose.
Long-term ketamine use can lead to physical and psychological dependence, liver and brain damage, and bladder issues that may require surgery.
It is recommended that those considering ketamine use seek a drug-checking service and have naloxone on hand, which is provided free at certain pharmacies in Australia to reverse opioid overdoses.
