• Inaugural test results for meth in wastewater released
• Results will inform the Liberal National Government’s WA Meth Strategy 2016

The Liberal National Government will use data collected from its meth wastewater testing trial to ensure resources are well targeted to help in the fight against the dangerous drug.

Deputy Premier and Police Minister Liza Harvey said the testing across Perth, Bunbury and Geraldton showed West Australians consumed about two tonnes of meth per year, with a street value of about $2 billion.

Ms Harvey said the wastewater testing analysis project had, for the first time, provided science-based evidence of the scale of meth use across the wider Western Australian community.

“The results provide the most accurate data yet on consumption levels; daily, weekly and seasonal rates; trends; and a broad geographical breakdown,” she said.

“The data will help inform the State Government’s Western Australian Meth Strategy 2016 which tackles meth on three fronts – education to stop people from ever using this insidious drug; support and treatment services to help people who are impacted by meth; and disrupting supply.”

The testing across the greater Perth metropolitan population indicated 31.6 kilograms of meth was used every week in Perth, or 1.6 tonnes per annum.

Testing in Perth started in July 2015 at three wastewater treatment plants which service about 1.52 million residents.

Testing was extended to Bunbury in November 2015 and Geraldton in January 2016.

“While WA Police has taken a record amount of meth off the streets, the Government has also been increasing the number of rehabilitation beds and support services for people impacted by meth,” the Deputy Premier said.

“The Government is also educating schoolchildren about how this drug tears lives and families apart in an effort to deter people from ever trying the drug.”