Sydney may be the cocaine capital, but Melbourne is the home of heroin | James Lemon
The average Sydneysider used almost twice as much cocaine as the average person in Melbourne, while the reverse is true for heroin, data from wastewater testing shows.
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission publishes data collected every two months from 20 wastewater sites across capital cities to help assess demand for legal and illegal substances. The most recent data is from February this year. “As a clinician, I’m interested in drug use in how it can harm people ... most drug use does not do that. That is not well understood.”The geographical patterns are not unique to illegal substances: for example, the data suggests there is no uniform national drinking culture.Sydney drank more alcohol than Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth over 12 months: about 1200 standard drinks per 1000 people per day, compared with about 875 standard drinks in the others.
“For example, reduced availability of a certain drug may cause some people to reduce or cease their use of that drug or seek out treatment where needed,” she said. “Alternatively, it may lead some people to engage in drug use behaviours which might increase their risk of harm, such as seeking out a different drug which might carry greater risks.”
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sydney may be the cocaine capital, but Melbourne is the home of heroinThe average Sydneysider used almost twice as much cocaine as people in Melbourne over a year of testing, while the reverse is true for heroin, wastewater testing shows | James Lemon
Read more »
Fat Noodle’s Luke Nguyen: Brisbane earns its place among the platesThe celebrated celebrity chef warns Sydney and Melbourne to “watch out”, the Queensland capital is turning into quite the find for foodies.
Read more »
As interest rates rise, cash is king for Sydney’s billionairesMortgages are so 2021, judging by the latest run of home purchases by Sydney’s ultra-rich.
Read more »
Man stabbed to death at house party in Melbourne's south-eastA man has died after being stabbed to death at a house party in Melbourne's south-east in the early hours of the morning. 9News
Read more »
The Sydney suburbs where house prices have doubled over the past decadeHouse prices may be on the decline, but they are still at least twice what they were a decade ago in more than 60 per cent of Sydney suburbs, new figures show.
Read more »