Sixteen kilograms of methamphetamine on average was consumed each week between November and January, according to results from the police's national wastewater testing programme.
Photo: photo / 123R
That meth usage is worth about $20 million per week in social harm.
Regional analysis showed MDMA was the most prevalent in Canterbury, while cocaine was more popular in Auckland.
Assistant police commissioner Richard Chambers said that confirms the extent of the problem.
"This is the best information that we've ever had to demonstrate illicit drug use across our country and it will be helpful to us in terms of decisions that can be made," Mr Chambers said.
Police commissioner Mike Bush said the data enhanced the police's understanding of the demand and supply of illicit drugs in different communities.
He said the average weekly use of detected drugs had an estimated street value of almost $10m.
