Australia’s illicit drug problem
Methylamphetamine poses the greatest threat
Wastewater analysis shows that methylamphetamine is the most consumed illicit stimulant drug4 in Australia and is increasing (Figure 1). This high demand, along with premium domestic prices, provides a lucrative market for criminal groups. The drug is appealing to users for its availability, high purity, strong effects, and its capacity to be smoked rather than injected.
Drug consumption in Australia by jurisdiction (kilogram per annum) per drug per state and territory
| Drug |
|---|
| State / Territory | Methylamphetamine | Cocaine | MDMA
| Heroin | Total |
|---|
| Australian Capital Territory |
93.0 | 81.2 | 14.4 | 15.3 | 203.9 |
| New South Wales |
2,604.5 | 2,397.8 | 450.5
| 222.2 | 5,675.0 |
| Northern Territory |
75.5 | 27.4 | 24.1 | 1.0 | 128.0 |
| Queensland |
1,893.3 | 576.6 | 223.2 | 66.2 | 2,759.3 |
| South Australia |
1,159.5 | 129.2 | 66.6 | 34.8 | 1,390.1 |
| Tasmania |
127.1 | 15.5 | 16.7 | 4.5 | 163.8 |
| Victoria |
2,477.7 | 819.9 | 291.3 | 359.4 | 3,948.3 |
| Western Australia |
1,416.8 | 67.9 | 74.9 | 46.8 | 1,606.4 |
| National |
9,847 | 4,115 | 1,162 | 750 |
|
Methylamphetamine not only harms users but also is damaging to the Australian community. It has a strong link to crime – particularly property and violent crime, including domestic violence. When examining police detainees who tested positive for methylamphetamine, the AIC found:
-
65% were arrested for a property offence
-
30% were arrested for a violent crime, and
-
44% attributed their violent crimes to their drug use.
These statistics illustrate the strong link between methylamphetamine and criminality.
Figure 1: Comparison of drug consumption in Australia, August 2016 to Dec 2018
Combating methylamphetamine supply is challenging
A diverse supply chain
One of the greatest challenges associated with tackling the current methylamphetamine market is its diverse supply chain which involves a wide variety of participants. In the past, the supply chain of illicit drugs into Australia was not as complex; typically involving a few large organised crime syndicates and profits largely remaining onshore.
By contrast, the current methylamphetamine market has a flexible manufacturing process (as it can be produced domestically or offshore) and involves a large number and decentralised network of participants across Australia and overseas. The profits from methylamphetamine sales are difficult to trace, as they may be laundered or moved offshore, which falls outside the remit of Australian law enforcement agencies. These characteristics make it difficult to disrupt the market and apprehend key players.
Technology and Globalisation: A transnational threat
While improved technology and globalisation has produced many benefits, it has also empowered serious and organised criminal groups to grow their business by operating transnationally. Organised crime groups targeting Australia have taken advantage of geographic and cultural opportunities, and also sometimes weak governance and enforcement of illicit drug laws overseas. This is particularly evident in some areas of South East Asia, which is a key area for methylamphetamine activity. Organised crime groups have exploited these weaknesses to develop into transnational entities, sometimes operating under sophisticated and complex business models (an example is provided at
Figure 2).
These groups are constantly evolving, exploiting new and emerging technologies – most notably encrypted communications – to facilitate and obfuscate their illicit activity. Their ability to adapt to technological advancements, coupled with a complex trade and financial system and a business model that transcends state borders, help them remain flexible and readily able to evolve in response to law enforcement and private sector preventative measures. This makes it increasingly difficult to identify, disrupt and prosecute criminal activity.
Globalisation has further fuelled the trade in illicit drugs and provided serious and organised crime groups unprecedented access to global markets. Data obtained from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime indicates that the Australian illicit drug market is among the most profitable in the world, making Australia a highly appealing proposition for transnational illicit drug syndicates.
Figure 2: Example of current supply chain of methylamphetamine into Australia
Seventh report of the ACIC's National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program (NWDMP), April 2019. This report compares methylamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine and heroin. Cannabis is not included in the comparison as there are currently difficulties relating to its analysis in wastewater (as the specific marker for cannabis consumption is excreted in extremely small amounts) and with determining standard dosage for cannabis.
