National Wastewater Testing Programme - Quarter 1 2021

Key findings: Q1 2021

• An estimated $77 million was generated through illicit drug distribution across New Zealand during this period, based on the levels of drugs detected.
• Methamphetamine use decreased, with an average weekly consumption of 10.8 kilograms. This is a 14 percent decrease (1.7 kg) when compared with the previous quarter (Q4 2020), and a 30 percent (4.6 kg) decrease when compared with Q1 2020.
• The average weekly MDMA consumption for Q1 2021 was 4.5 kilograms. This is a 53 percent decrease (5.3 kg) from the previous quarter (Q4 2020) and is the lowest quarterly consumption of MDMA since wastewater testing began.
• Cocaine consumption remained similar to the previous quarter, with the average national weekly consumption of cocaine being 0.5 kilograms during Q1 2021.