Australians Taking Record Amounts of Ketamine, but Less Alcohol and Tobacco

High levels of the tranquiliser have been found in wastewater across both city and rural areas, raising concerns it may be adulterated with other substances.

Cole Burston/AFP via Getty Images

Australians are using record amounts of the drug ketamine, prompting warnings from experts that it may be increasingly adulterated with dangerous substances as dealers try to keep up with rising demand.

The latest National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program (NWDMP) report, commissioned by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, looked at wastewater samples taken at 59 sites in April and June.