Since Covid limitations were loosened, cocaine consumption in Melbourne has surged, and the city has now earned the unwelcome moniker of Australia’s heroin capital.
When Covid limitations were relaxed, the state’s cocaine addicts went on a big binge, as evidenced by sewage tests showing a sharp increase in coke usage among Melburnians.
The National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission kept an eye on 10 sewage sites in Victoria until February 2022.
The wastewater testing showed a spike in cocaine use in Melbourne beginning in late August 2021, and peaking over Christmas, with a similar surge in heroin use.
Victoria’s biggest city is now Australia’s heroin capital, and Melburnians are also the nation’s biggest consumers of cocaine after Sydney.
The amount of cocaine detected in Melbourne’s wastewater peaked in December 2021, right as bars, clubs, and gambling establishments resumed regular business.
Border controls had also been largely removed, making it simpler for narcotics to once again be transported both domestically and internationally.
Organized criminal organizations continue to discover methods to supply the main black markets for drugs, generating large amounts of illicit income, according to the ACIC assessment.
Prior to the implementation of Covid limitations, cocaine use has been progressively rising in practically all Australian metropolitan cities and several rural areas.
But according to ACIC, the epidemic produced a sharp fall in consumption nationwide.
Melbourne had the highest average capital city consumption of heroin while the state also had the second highest regional consumption.
‘Victoria had the highest consumption levels in December 2021, well above the average,’ said the ACICD report.
It added: ‘Elevated heroin consumption in capital city Victoria is clearly evident.’
The findings published by ASIC also showed alcohol, nicotine, methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and fentanyl consumption had increased across Victoria.
However, usage of heroin, oxycodone, and cannabis has reduced all throughout the state.
This occurs at a time when illegal stimulant usage in Australia’s major cities has sharply increased.
For the first time since April 2017, consumption of methamphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA has surpassed regional consumption.