News (Media Awareness Project) - Australia: Startling Increase In Drug Seizures |
| Title: | Australia: Startling Increase In Drug Seizures |
| Published On: | 2007-05-12 |
| Source: | Advertiser, The (Australia) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-12 06:17:07 |
STARTLING INCREASE IN DRUG SEIZURES
CANNABIS seizures have more than doubled in South Australia, but
arrests have increased by only 6 per cent.
The national Illicit Drug Data Report released yesterday also shows a
massive increase in the amount of amphetamines seized by police, from
about 5kg in 2004-05 to more than 66kg in 2005-06.
The report from the Australian Crime Commission shows there were more
than 500 cannabis seizures in the 2005-06 financial year, compared to
251 the year before.
The weight of cannabis seized has also doubled, to almost
8000kg.
However, there was only a 6 per cent increase in arrests and a 15 per
cent increase in the number of cannabis expiation notices.
The overall level of arrests was less than it was four years
ago.
In 2001-02 there were 2377 arrests, compared to 1604 last financial
year.
Police Minister Paul Holloway said the figures demonstrated the
success of police tactics.
"The fact that our police are becoming more pro-active and successful
in cracking down on cannabis possession is not only leading to more
seizures and arrests, but is also leading to a reduction in the number
of people using the drug," he said.
The report also showed clandestine drug laboratory detections have
steadied at about 50 a year. However, this number had increased
dramatically over the past decade. In 1997-98 only seven labs were
found, and in 2000-01 it was 24.
The number of amphetamine seizures is up by 30 per cent, with 268 in
the past year.
Opposition substance abuse spokeswoman Michelle Lensink said the
report showed police were doing their best but more needed to be done
to tackle the "growing problem".
"I think the things that are effective against drug use are police
resources that are devoted to tackling drug supply, plus education for
children and effective rehabilitation services," she said. "We don't
have enough drug rehabilitation services at all."
She said the Liberal Party had supported tougher legislation to make
people attend rehabilitation and to address the availability of drug
paraphernalia.
CANNABIS seizures have more than doubled in South Australia, but
arrests have increased by only 6 per cent.
The national Illicit Drug Data Report released yesterday also shows a
massive increase in the amount of amphetamines seized by police, from
about 5kg in 2004-05 to more than 66kg in 2005-06.
The report from the Australian Crime Commission shows there were more
than 500 cannabis seizures in the 2005-06 financial year, compared to
251 the year before.
The weight of cannabis seized has also doubled, to almost
8000kg.
However, there was only a 6 per cent increase in arrests and a 15 per
cent increase in the number of cannabis expiation notices.
The overall level of arrests was less than it was four years
ago.
In 2001-02 there were 2377 arrests, compared to 1604 last financial
year.
Police Minister Paul Holloway said the figures demonstrated the
success of police tactics.
"The fact that our police are becoming more pro-active and successful
in cracking down on cannabis possession is not only leading to more
seizures and arrests, but is also leading to a reduction in the number
of people using the drug," he said.
The report also showed clandestine drug laboratory detections have
steadied at about 50 a year. However, this number had increased
dramatically over the past decade. In 1997-98 only seven labs were
found, and in 2000-01 it was 24.
The number of amphetamine seizures is up by 30 per cent, with 268 in
the past year.
Opposition substance abuse spokeswoman Michelle Lensink said the
report showed police were doing their best but more needed to be done
to tackle the "growing problem".
"I think the things that are effective against drug use are police
resources that are devoted to tackling drug supply, plus education for
children and effective rehabilitation services," she said. "We don't
have enough drug rehabilitation services at all."
She said the Liberal Party had supported tougher legislation to make
people attend rehabilitation and to address the availability of drug
paraphernalia.
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