The first results of the National Wastewater Testing Programme were released today, which police said build a clearer picture of New Zealand’s drug use.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush released results from the first three months of nationwide wastewater testing, which covers around 80% of New Zealand’s population.

The drugs that have been tested for are methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, MDMA (Ecstacy) and fentanyl.

The preliminary results, from November 2018 to January 2019, show methamphetamine is the most commonly detected illicit drug nationwide, with approximately 16kg estimated to be consumed on average each week. That average weekly drug use has an estimated street value of at least $9.6 million which police said potentially generated offenders $500 million annually, facilitating further criminal activity.

Commission Bush said the detected average use of methamphetamine translated to an estimated $20 million per week in social harm.

Invercargill was one of four sites tested in the southern police district. MDMA/Ecstacy was the most prevalent drug consumed per capita across the district but in Invercargill methamphetamine represented 82% of the drug use detected, with 18% MDMA/Ecstacy. Queenstown testing showed 70% MDMA/Ecstacy, 25% methamphetamine and 2% cocaine.

Regional variations in drug use have also been identified with methamphetamine use shown to be most prevalent per capita in Northland, MDMA in Canterbury and cocaine in the wider Auckland region.

Commissioner Bush said that, while the results proved the benefits of nationwide wastewater testing, it was only a snapshot of the bigger picture that long-term testing would lead to.

“These early results give us an idea of the potential for this type of data and, as testing continues, it will enhance our understanding of the demand and supply of illicit drugs and the associated harm caused in our communities," he said.

“The long term results will help police and other agencies make informed decisions around drug treatment services, and initiatives to combat organised crime groups dealing in methamphetamine and other drugs."

It was expected a robust robust baseline measure of illicit drug use would be established after 12 months of nationwide testing.

“Three months of results, however, are only an early indicator of illicit drug use levels in New Zealand and cannot yet be used to draw any firm conclusions,” he says.