Impact of COVID-19 Controls on the Use of Illicit Drugs and Alcohol in Australia

Abstract

Methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, cannabis, and alcohol in samples from 20 wastewater treatment plants servicing the eight state or territory capitals of Australia were analyzed, with equivalent coverage of >45% of the national population. Trends in drug consumption were calculated and assessed from samples collected from 2016 to 2020, with a focus on pre-COVID-19 (August 2016 to December 2019), versus February to June 2020, when Australia observed a nationwide lockdown. Results showed delayed but significant decreases in methamphetamine, >50% in Western Australia. In contrast, significant increases in cannabis in most jurisdictions were observed. This suggests changes in consumption may be somewhat linked to reduced supply of imported substances, with increased use of locally produced drugs. Initial decreases in cocaine and MDMA consumption were evident in many parts of the country, but pre-COVID trends were re-established after April 2020. Interestingly, weekend–weekday differences were narrowed for cocaine, MDMA, and alcohol during lockdown, which might be expected due to bars being closed and social gathering not allowed. With this study providing insight into the first four months of COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, it remains to be seen what the longer-term effect of the pandemic will be.

Long-term monitoring of drug consumption patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic in a small-sized community in Brazil through wastewater-based epidemiology

“…The authors found an increase of 72% in hydrocodone consumption in the latter wastewater collections, but decreases in the consumption of the illicit drugs MAMP and COC, of 16 and 42%, respectively. Bade et al (2021) , evaluated the consumption of MAMP, MDMA, COC, THC, and alcohol through wastewater analysis from 20 WWTP in Australia from February to June 2020, during a national lockdown, and compared the finding with pre-pandemic estimates. The estimates of MAMP consumption presented decreases of up to 50%, but cannabis consumption increased significantly.…”

A Taste for New Psychoactive Substances: Wastewater Analysis Study of 10 Countries

“…Many countries around the world were in lockdown, limiting social interaction and large get togethers, and thus, the distribution and consumption of certain drugs were expected to be affected. Recent studies have shown that the restrictions enforced by authorities have influenced the use of illicit drugs and NPS by the population. − The only sites involved in this study that were not subject to any restrictions at the time of collection were from New Zealand and sites US3–10.…”

Qualitative fingerprinting of psychoactive pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, and related human metabolites in wastewater: A year-long study from Riga, Latvia

“…During the COVID-19 pandemic, WBE has been used for a wide range of applications to explore temporal trends of substance use, self-medication practises and other lifestyle aspects, which may be affected depending on the circumstances caused by the pandemic. In this respect, several major topics are often addressed: alcohol consumption [8] , [9] , [10] , use and production of illicit drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS) as well as human pharmaceutical consumption patterns [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] . In addition, the WBE methodology provides insights beyond questions concerning a given catchment population.…”