SEIZURE OF SPEED, ECSTASY, ICE UP 10-FOLD IN A DECADE

MORE than 1.8 tonnes of ecstasy and amphetamine-type stimulants --
including the deadly drug ice -- were seized by Australian authorities
last financial year, a 10-fold increase on the figure of a decade ago.

In 1996-97, customs and Australian police forces seized 169 kilograms
of amphetamine (speed), crystal methylamphetamine (ice) and MDMA (ecstasy).

But an Australian Crime Commission report, to be released this morning
by Justice and Customs Minister David Johnston, shows that 1384
kilograms of amphetamine-type stimulants, and 435 kilograms of
ecstasy, were discovered by authorities last financial year.

Over the same decade, the number of clandestine laboratories uncovered
by police has jumped from 58 in 1996-97, to 390 in 2005-06, a 670 per
cent increase. The figures reflect the booming popularity of ice, and
other amphetamine-type drugs, in Australia.

While marijuana is still the most commonly consumed drug -- nearly 4.5
tonnes were seized last year -- ice is rapidly becoming the drug of
choice for many users, now making up about 15 per cent of all drug
arrests, up from about 4 per cent -- 11,848 people were arrested on
amphetamine-type stimulant and ecstasy charges in 2005-06.

The ACC report said: "The global shift towards amphetamine-type
stimulants continued (over the past year), with an increasing trend
towards the use and production of crystal methylamphetamine (ice). One
in 10 Australians have tried methylamphetamines (speed and ice). There
are approximately 102,600 regular users, 72,700 of whom are dependent
on the drug."

Most of Australia's ice is produced domestically. The drug sells for
between $80 and $100 for a "point", 0.1 grams.

Other powder amphetamines, such as speed, can be bought as cheaply as
$20 a point.

But the recent restriction of pseudoephedrine medicines -- previously
available over the counter, their sale is now heavily regulated all
over the country -- is slowing local production, the report finds.
Project Stop, an online recording system of pseudoephedrine sales
given a trial in Queensland, has resulted in a 23 per cent decrease in
the number of clandestine laboratories uncovered in that state. The
project is now being rolled out across the country.

But the ACC has warned that restrictions placed on the sale of
pseudoephedrine drugs could cause an outbreak of other crimes, such as
identity fraud and armed robbery, as manufacturers attempt to source
the precursor drug.

Senator Johnston told The Age authorities were winning the war on
drugs. "This is a commendable result by Australian law enforcement
agencies and is evidence that the Australian Government's National
Drug Strategy is having a significant impact in the ongoing war on
drugs," he said.

"Keeping illicit drugs off the streets and arresting illicit drug
manufacturers and traffickers remains a high priority for the
Government."