Thirst for deadly drugs such as heroin and cocaine reached record levels in WA at the end of last year, a new, eye-opening report shows.
This incident comes amid fears that more and more people in Perth are falling victim to the horror knock-out drop – also known as “Fantasy” – and are in need of urgent medical treatment.
The new report from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission shows that cocaine and heroin use in Perth has increased massively over the past year, reaching unprecedented levels.
The findings – contained in the latest report from the ACIC’s National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program – show that more than 350mg of cocaine was consumed per 1,000 people per day across Perth in December last year, the highest level ever recorded since the ACIC began studying wastewater in 2016.
Cocaine consumption in the WA region also rose last year to record levels never seen before by the ACIC.
The report also shows that there was a massive increase in heroin use across Perth during the same period.
In December, around 160 mg of heroin was consumed per 1,000 people per day across Perth, well above the national average and a staggering 170 per cent increase compared to the previous reporting period.
Meth use in WA’s regions also rose sharply last year, reaching more than 2200 mg per 1000 people per day – up from 1800 mg per day in August last year.
A total of 56 wastewater treatment plants – including seven in WA – were analysed for the latest ACIC study.
These 56 facilities cover approximately 55 percent of the Australian population.
ACIC chief adviser Shane Neilson described the data contained in the report as “worrying”.
Mr Neilson said the latest findings were a clear indication that organised crime was still striking hard in offshore areas of Australia and Western Australia.
“We are very profitable for them (the organized crime gangs) and that is the problem,” Neilson said.
“Because we have high per capita consumption, incomes in this country are relatively high compared to many other countries and Australian drug users pay high prices for these drugs.
“It is therefore worthwhile for organised crime to look for supplies here.”
Mr Neilson said the significant increase in heroin use in WA over the past year was being investigated further in conjunction with WA Police.
“This is certainly one (result) that we will be watching closely,” he said.
Jessamine Soderstrom, an emergency physician and clinical toxicologist at Royal Perth Hospital, told The West Australian this week that GHB-related cases at the RPH – as opposed to heroin-related cases – were currently a far more common sight among doctors.
“The most common drugs remain methamphetamine, followed by GHB,” said Dr. Soderstrom.
“When it comes to the topic of GHB, we are definitely seeing an increasing number of presentations.
“If you take too much GHB, the main thing that will cause you to go into a coma is that it’s really important that you see a doctor and get help.”
GHB was originally developed as an anesthetic and slows down the flow of messages between the brain and the body.
It is often used in shocking cases of date rape because it is typically odorless and colorless and can leave victims incoordination and unconscious.
An investigation by The West last year found that the drug GHB could be bought on the streets of Perth for as little as $5.
In a statement, Western Australia Police said they were working with national and international partners to make the smuggling of illegal drugs into Western Australia as difficult as possible.
“Crime syndicates are constantly looking for new ways to hide their drugs and cash during transport. However, we continue to adapt to their new methods and use our intelligence and the latest technology to identify and seize their illegal cargo,” a police spokesman said.
“Drugs such as heroin, cocaine and methylamphetamine have devastating effects on society at all levels, be it physical assault, burglary, driving under the influence of drugs or the health consequences of drug use.
“We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to keep the public safe and hold accountable those willing to take the risk of bringing illegal drugs into our state.”