The Mayor of Walgett Shire has said that drug traffickers are constantly changing up their methods of getting drugs into the region as a new report shows an alarming increase in methamphetamine use across regional NSW.

Cr Jason Ramien told the Western Plains App that methamphetamine use is “becoming a growing concern in all towns rights across the shire”.

“I know the police are doing everything they can to get on top of it, but traffickers are changing their methods all the time,” he said.

“At the moment I think the people bringing drugs into the community have really changed up the day and time they normally arrive with their drop offs”.

It comes as wastewater analysis conducted by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission shows that methamphetamine use in regional NSW has hit its highest levels since COVID.

Their December 2023 collection covers around 55 per cent of Australia’s population – about 14.1 million Australians and found meth consumption in regional NSW sat at a four year high.

The report also found that while cannabis and heroin use dropped, cocaine use in regional NSW reached an eight year high.

Meth consumption in Australia ranked it 2nd highest of 30 countries on the ACIC international comparison list.

Shane Neilson: ACIC.

ACIC Principal Advisor Drugs Shane Neilson explained that both meth and cocaine were coming from a large range of organised crime groups and being shipped from all over the world.

“We are seeing a combination of drugs being smuggled through sea cargo in other items and large numbers of smaller packages coming through the mail,” he told the Western Plains App.

Meanwhile a new Australian Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) survey found that a majority of people worried about a loved one's alcohol or drug use didn't know the best way to help them.

Image: NSWCLC

Nearly 60 per cent of people said they weren’t sure of the best way to raise their concerns.

Many said they did not know where to find information or support for loved ones impacted by drug abuse.

Path2Help is a tool to connect you with local services in your area that can help you have that initial conversation with a loved one about their substance misuse

Other contacts includes Family Drug Support on 1300 368 186 and SHARC 1300 660 068.