Bunbury has highest rate of meth use

The latest figures from the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program Report show Bunbury to be the State’s biggest user of methamphetamine, just ahead of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

The report compiled by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission shows Bunbury’s average of daily doses consumed per 1000 people to be slightly higher than Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

However, Kalgoorlie-Boulder showed a higher maximum consumption rate at more than 80 doses in a 24-hour period.

Both regional plants showed a consumption rate almost twice that of Perth, which has seen a decrease in usage rates in recent months.

Both Bunbury and Kalgoorlie-Boulder showed rates more than double the national average.

Kalgoorlie-Boulder was dubbed the State’s methamphetamine hub in June after testing found usage was 14.4 per cent higher than Bunbury in the April test period.

Regional WA showed the highest rate of meth consumption in the country except for one plant in regional Victoria. While the meth consumption rate is higher than both the regional and national average, Bunbury’s results did show some positive signs.

The consumption rates of cocaine, heroin and MDMA were well below the national average, while the nicotine consumption rate was on par with the national results.

Alcohol consumption rates were slightly higher than the national average, but were lower than the results shown in regional WA.

According to the report, nicotine and alcohol continue to be the most consumed substances tested in all States and territories.

Methamphetamine remains the most prevalent illicit drug found with no decrease in the national average since August, 2016.

Six wastewater plants in WA were tested, three in the metropolitan area and three in regional WA.