Perth has finally shaken its tag of Australia’s methamphetamine capital, with a report showing that Adelaide residents are now bigger consumers of the drug.

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission compared meth use across all Australian capital cities and found Perth had fallen to second, followed by Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

The ACIC’s findings were based on tests in February at sewage treatment plants, which showed Perth residents consumed about 40 doses of the drug for every 1000 people each day, just above the capital city average of 37 doses a day.

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Adelaide recorded about 60 doses a day — or more than 11/2 times the national average. The Perth figure had almost halved since October last year when the consumption rate peaked at almost 80 doses a day, the highest for any capital city.

The ACIC’s report showed that meth remained the most widely abused illicit drug in the country, but use had been falling.

Regional WA also recorded falls, but use remained well above the regional average.

Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan said that the results were an encouraging sign that increased efforts by State and Federal law enforcement agencies and health bodies were having a positive impact.

“However, we must also be cautious in our optimism,” he said.

“A massive challenge remains ahead of us.”

The ACIC also found that West Australians were some of the biggest drinkers and smokers in the nation, second only to the Northern Territory. Sydney remained Australia’s cocaine capital, with Perth having the lowest use of the drug.

The decline in meth use in WA also corresponded with a big reduction in crime.

Police figures released yesterday show that about 12,000 fewer offences were reported during the 2016-17 financial year, a 5 per cent fall on the previous year.

Home burglaries fell by about 1500 offences during the period, or about four a day.

Car thefts fell by about 750 offences. But the biggest fall was in theft reports, which were down by about 8000 on the previous year.

WA Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan said there had been a sustained reduction in reported offences over the past 18 months which indicated police were on the right track and that changes to the policing model were achieving good results.