The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) has commissioned The University of Queensland, and through it the University of South Australia, to undertake the data collection and analysis that underpins the report.

Report 18 of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program covered sampling in August and October 2022. In August, 58 wastewater sites were monitored nationally, covering approximately 57% of the Australian population. Sites were selected to permit the ACIC to provide data on major population areas, sites of actual or potential concern from a drug use perspective.