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Amphetamine use on the rise among blue-collar workers

More Australian workers are using meth on the job, Australia’s Associated Press reports.

The Drug Detection Agency, Australasia’s largest provider of workplace drug testing, published its latest report for the final quarter of 2025/26 on Thursday.

The data show that consumption of amphetamine-type stimulants, including methamphetamine, rose sharply over the year among the mostly blue-collar workers tested.

The presence of amphetamine-type stimulants accounted for 60% of all positive tests in the June quarter; This represents a significant increase of 17.9% annually.

Next was the use of opioids, including oxycodone, which accounted for 11.6% of positive tests, although use decreased over the year.

Cocaine was detected in 8% of positive tests this quarter; This increased compared to the same period of the previous year.

Marijuana was also present in 39% of positive tests, but use decreased slightly each year.

Drugs were found in 3% of all screenings conducted by the agency, and it was stated that this rate was generally unchanged compared to previous quarters.

By jurisdiction, Western Australia recorded the highest use of amphetamine-type stimulants at 88.6%, while the other four mainland states all push a rate of 50% or higher.

South Australia had the highest cocaine detections, Queensland the highest cannabis detections and Victoria the highest opioid detections.

NSW ranked second for cocaine and opioids, third for cannabis and fourth for meth.