Predicting market influences supports government, law enforcement and health sectors to proactively develop strategies to address future challenges in the Australian illicit drug market.

Dependence on opioid drugs (which include codeine, heroin and oxycodone) is associated with a range of health and social problems that affect individual drug users, their family and friends, and the wider public.

This is the fourth in a series of nine National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program reports to be publicly released by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. The program aims to deliver on the recommendations of the Final Report of the National Ice Taskforce.

This report quantifies the health impacts that alcohol and illicit drug use places on Australia, including at-risk factors for other diseases and injuries. It estimates that alcohol and illicit drugs were collectively responsible for 6.7% of Australia’s disease burden in 2011.

The purpose of report is to examine the treatment and harm reduction measures that are in place in Australia to assist crystal methamphetamine ('ice') users, their families and communities.