DRUG use in regional towns has skyrocketed and cocaine and ice top the charts.
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The results were revealed by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's wastewater drug monitoring program.
Tamworth's own Ice Action Group led by MP Kevin Anderson fell to pieces over a year ago and there's been little action from the group since.
Resident Tracey Filicietti's son fell victim to ice and alcohol abuse for more than two decades and was a part of the original ice action group, another has started recently in Tamworth.
"What needs to happen is people need to understand there’s families suffering and the impact on the community from antisocial behaviour need to be addressed, people need to be able to talk about this without fear of recrimination," she said.
Ms Filicietti wants to see a community response supported by services reinvigorated in Tamworth.
Almost 9.6 tonnes of methylamphetamine is estimated to be consumed in Australia every year, along with four tonnes of cocaine, 1.1 tonnes of MDMA and more than 700 kilograms of heroine.
New South Wales also recorded the highest regional MDMA and heroin consumption in the country.
There needs to be a three-pronged approach to deal with the issue Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said.
"There is no doubt regional NSW has a problem with drugs, ice is a significant problem police tell us because it's cheap, it's easy to manufacture and to distribute," he said.
"We have to educate our communities and educate them to say no.
"The support is through those families of people who have drug additions … and the third component is awareness, we need to keep talking about it and highlighting the dangers of ice."
At street prices the estimated value of the quantity of drugs found in the wastewater test is $9.3 billion.
Alcohol is the only drug that saw a drop in regional consumption.