Leslie Massey
Australia has the highest use of methamphetamine in the world, with 7% of all Australians having used meth and the number of addicts growing. Wastewater analysis found that Australia ranked highest among 20 countries in per capita use, with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reporting a rapid increase in the number of deaths involving meth and other stimulants. The demand for drugs like methamphetamine has been increasing in Australia since the start of 2000, with authorities seizing large quantities on a regular basis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Australia's rank in meth use | Highest among 20+ countries |
| Addiction rate | Highest in the world |
| Demand | High across Australia |
| Consumption | Meth is the most consumed illicit drug |
| Supply | International imports and domestic manufacturing |
| Addicts | 7% of Australians have used meth |
| Deaths | Death rate in 2021 was four times higher than in 2000 |
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What You'll Learn
Australia has the highest methamphetamine consumption in the world
The demand for methamphetamine in Australia has been rising since the start of the 2000s. In April 2017, Australia had the highest methamphetamine addiction rate globally, with about 7% of the population, or 1.3 million people, having used the drug. The number of addicts is increasing, and the total number of users is growing rapidly, tripling over a five-year period. The high demand for methamphetamine in Australia has resulted in the country being flooded with high-grade and low-cost methamphetamine, mainly imported from Southeast Asia.
The Australian illicit drug market is supplied by both international imports and domestic manufacturing. Local meth labs are found in residential areas, and authorities regularly seize large quantities of methamphetamine. In 2022, Australia's largest methamphetamine seizure occurred, with 1,800 kg of ice discovered in shipping containers at a Sydney port. The previous year, around 750 meth labs were raided, and an industrial-sized clandestine laboratory was found in Adelaide.
The high consumption of methamphetamine in Australia has led to a rapid increase in deaths involving the drug. The death rate in 2021 was almost four times higher than in 2000. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported that the death rate involving methamphetamine and other stimulants had increased significantly. Despite the growing concern over methamphetamine use, Australian governments have primarily focused on law enforcement responses, with varying penalties for selling, possession, and use across states and territories.
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The drug's dopamine response makes it addictive
Australia has the highest use of methamphetamine in the English-speaking world and the highest addiction rates of this drug worldwide. The demand for methamphetamine in Australia has been increasing since the start of 2000. As of April 2017, about 7% of Australians, or 1.3 million people, have used methamphetamine, and 400,000 have done so in the last 12 months.
Methamphetamine is addictive due to the drug's dopamine response. Meth causes a surge of dopamine in the brain, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure and reward. The dopamine response that meth engenders in users makes it especially addictive and corrosive. Unlike other drugs such as MDMA or cocaine, there is no point at which the body says "enough" and demands sleep. This is why users can go for five or six days straight without sleep.
The effects of methamphetamine on the brain are long-lasting and can be highly damaging. Meth causes the brain to release up to four times the normal amount of dopamine, resulting in an intense high. However, over time, meth use can lead to a reduction in the number of dopamine receptors in the brain, which can make it difficult for users to feel pleasure from naturally rewarding activities. This can lead to a cycle of increased meth use as users attempt to chase the high of their first experience.
The addictive nature of methamphetamine has led to a range of social and economic issues in Australia. The number of addicts is growing, and there is a shortage of drug treatment facilities, particularly in rural areas. The drug is also associated with violent and volatile behaviour, and users may struggle to access the help they need due to mental health issues or an inability to stay away from their dealers.
The Australian government has taken a strong stance against methamphetamine, focusing on law enforcement and drug seizure. However, despite these efforts, the country continues to face challenges in combatting the supply and demand for methamphetamine.
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Methamphetamine is imported and manufactured domestically
Australia has the highest use of methamphetamine in the world. The demand for methamphetamine in Australia has been increasing since the start of the 2000s. In 2017, it was reported that 7% of all Australians have used meth, and the number of addicts is growing.
In addition to imports, Australia also has local meth labs, often found in residential areas. In 2014, around 750 meth labs were raided, and an industrial-sized clandestine laboratory was discovered in 2018. These labs contribute to the domestic manufacturing of methamphetamine.
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) reported that Australia ranked the highest among 20 countries in per capita use of methamphetamine in 2021. This was determined through wastewater monitoring, which revealed a rapid increase in the number of deaths involving meth and other stimulants. The death rate in 2021 was almost four times higher than in 2000.
The high demand for methamphetamine in Australia has resulted in a resilient market. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions and growing cost-of-living pressures, the consumption and supply of methamphetamine have remained high.
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Australia's drug problem is not limited to meth
Australia has the highest use of methamphetamine among 27 countries in Europe, Asia, and Oceania, according to a wastewater analysis. The country also has the highest methamphetamine addiction rate in the world as of April 2017. While meth is a significant problem in Australia, the country's drug problem is not limited to this substance.
Alcohol
Alcohol is the most commonly used substance in Australia, with 3.1 million people expected to have used it at some point in their lives by 2020. This is an increase of 20% over a few years prior. In 2017, there were 1,464 hospitalizations due to alcohol consumption for people aged 15-24, the highest number on record for this age group. That same year, there were 3,247 alcohol-related deaths in Australia, an increase of 9% from 2016 and the highest number on record. Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne have the highest rates of alcohol abuse in the country.
Tobacco
Tobacco addiction is also a significant problem in Australia. In 2017, 17% of Australian adults smoked daily, resulting in 11,700 deaths. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the country.
Other Drugs
In addition to methamphetamine, other drugs used in Australia include heroin, cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, amphetamine-type stimulants, and pharmaceuticals. In 2022-2023, an estimated 3.9 million people aged 14 and over in Australia had used an illicit drug in the previous 12 months, with cannabis being the most common (11.5%), followed by cocaine (4.5%) and hallucinogens (2.4%). While the use of fentanyl and oxycodone has decreased since 2019, heroin use increased by 31% in the ACT, and MDMA use increased by 84% in Tasmania and 62% in WA.
The Australian government has acknowledged the country's drug problem and has released reports identifying cities with the most drug addiction problems, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Darwin. However, the NSW government has been criticized for its response to the drug problem, with some arguing that it has missed opportunities to implement evidence-based reforms.
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Australian governments emphasise law enforcement
Australia has the highest use of methamphetamine in the English-speaking world, with about 7% of the population having used the drug. The country's meth supply is largely fuelled by an industrial complex that includes imports from overseas and domestic manufacturing.
Australian governments have responded to the methamphetamine problem with a strong emphasis on law enforcement. Police activities have focused on disrupting the supply of the drug and pseudoephedrine, a precursor used in its manufacture. Penalties for selling, possession, and use of meth vary by state or territory, and authorities have been seizing large quantities of the drug regularly. For example, in November 2014, the Australian Federal Police intercepted 2.8 tonnes of drugs, including 849 kilograms of methamphetamine.
In addition to law enforcement efforts, there have been calls for a reform of the state's response to drugs based on evidence. The NSW Government, for instance, has been urged to consider the recommendations of the Drug Policy Modelling Program (DPMP) to address the issue more effectively.
While law enforcement plays a crucial role in combating the issue, it is important to acknowledge the complexity of drug use and addiction. Stigma and punishment are not the solutions, as most people in western societies partake in some form of drug use to wind down. Instead, a more comprehensive approach that includes prevention, treatment, and support for individuals struggling with addiction is necessary to address the problem effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
Meth is popular in Australia due to its high demand and the country's flooded market. It is also highly addictive due to the dopamine response it engenders in users.
Australia has the highest methamphetamine consumption per capita in the world. In 2021, it ranked the highest of 20 countries in per capita use. About 7% of Australians, or 1.3 million people, have used methamphetamine.
Australian governments have placed a strong emphasis on law enforcement in response to the methamphetamine problem. Police activities have focused on disrupting the supply of the drug and pseudoephedrine, a precursor used in its manufacture. However, there is also a need for more drug treatment facilities, particularly in rural areas, as the number of addicts continues to grow.
