Tests on Melbourne sewage show high enough levels of ice for the drug to have been used by one in every 20 Victorians.
The highest ice usage occurred in the CBD, a study by the Penington Institute and the University of South Australia has found.
The Herald Sun reports that waste water from Melbourne Water’s western treatment plant, covering a population of 1.6 million people, had the highest levels with 51.4 doses of methamphetamine per 1000 people on a Sunday, and 38.8 doses per 1000 on a Wednesday.
The western treatment plant had an average of 72,000 doses per day over the two days.
The eastern treatment plant had an average of 36,000 doses a day, West Wodonga 530, and Warracknabeal 14.
Black Rock, which covers much of Geelong, had a daily average of 3800 doses, according to the report.
Penington Institute acting CEO Wendy Dodd says the tests showed what was already known.
‘It is not so much surprising but it is also confirming there is an issue in relation to methamphetamines,’ she told Fairfax Radio.
‘From the data, it has demonstrated that it’s higher on weekends and it’s supporting the view that there is a high proportion of occasional, recreational users,’ she said.
A state parliamentary inquiry will release its findings into the supply and use of the drug on Wednesday, while the Victorian government has announced 11 police drug dogs will be sent across the state, including eight in major regional centres.
