SPEAKING HYDROPONICALLY, CANNABIS IS STILL AHEAD OF THE GAME

In relation to other drugs, the Australian Bureau of Criminal
Investigation said that cannabis "continues to be readily available in
Australia and its price is stable ..."

It found the big crops of some years ago had now been replaced by
hydroponically grown cannabis.

"All State and Territory police services reported hydroponic cannabis
crops and sites account for the majority of seizures. Cannabis head -
and particularly hydroponically grown head - is becoming the most
sought-after product."

Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit drug and that is
unlikely to change.

While there was a decline in cannabis offences in 1999-2000, they
still represented 67 per cent of all drug-related offences.

Amphetamines"The use and availability of amphetamine-type substances
continues to increase in Australia: after cannabis they are the most
frequently used illicit drug."

While prices for street deals remained stable, the purity varied
widely from 0.7 per cent to 46 per cent.

"Queensland, particularly the south-east of the State, continues to be
the main location for clandestine laboratories."

People aged 20-24 were the main users.

"Law-enforcement agencies Australia-wide reported that methamphetamine
is becoming increasingly available."

Ecstasy continued to be the most frequently used amphetamine and
during the year Customs found a record total weight of 144 kilos.

CocaineDuring 1999-2000, 717 kilos of cocaine was detected being
brought into Australia - a 145 per cent increase on the previous year.

The NSW Crime Commission and the NSW Police reported that some cafes
in Kings Cross are used for distributing cocaine.

While cocaine was most easily obtained in NSW, there was evidence that
cocaine use peaked in late 1998 and that cocaine is now commonly used
by heroin users.

"While cocaine is not necessarily used by a greater proportion of
Australians than other illicit drugs, its users include a broader
socio-economic range."