ILLICIT DRUG CONSUMPTION DOWN FOLLOWING BIG SEIZURES

The Hon Michael Keenan MP.
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7 years ago
ILLICIT DRUG CONSUMPTION DOWN FOLLOWING BIG SEIZURES
The Hon Michael Keenan MP
The release of the third National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program report demonstrates the success of the Coalition Government in combatting the scourge of illicit drugs in our communities.
This report covers approximately 61 per cent of Australia's population - around 14.2 million people. Fifty-four wastewater treatment plants participated nationally, with 22 city sites and a further 32 regional sites.
The data from this report will pinpoint targets for our law enforcement agencies so they can flush out the crooks responsible for this evil trade and protect the communities they are targeting.
The report shows that demand for methylamphetamine has plateaued over the past year, but we know this drug continues to pose significant challenges for our community. Of the substances tested, meth remains the most highly consumed illicit drug nationally.
Consumption of MDMA decreased in the 12 months to August 2017 and average cocaine consumption in both regional and city sites fell since April 2017.
Importantly, this is the first time heroin has been tested, bringing the total number of substances monitored to 14.
Wastewater analysis suggests that large seizures of illicit drugs in particular areas have had an impact in reducing drug consumption in those markets.
During 2016-17, seizures of cocaine and MDMA increased significantly. The Australian Federal Police reports seizures of 3.98 tonnes of cocaine during 2016-17 (up from 709 kilograms in 2015-16) and seizures of 1.28 tonnes of MDMA during the same period (up from 223 kilograms in 2015-16).
In October this year I announced the largest seizure of meth precursor chemicals in Australian history intercepted on the way into the country - enough to make an estimated $3.6 billion worth of meth. This seizure shows just how important our co-operation with global partners is to bringing this trade to an end.
The Coalition Government will keep up the pressure on those that trade in the misery of illicit drugs.
We established the National Ice Action Taskforce to provide the Government with advice on how we can best respond to Australia's ice scourge. The National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program was a key recommendation of this taskforce.
Additionally, we are investing an extra $300 million to improve treatment, after care, education, prevention and community engagement.
We will continue to use every resource available to protect the safety of our communities, our families and frontline service workers who continue to be affected by this and other insidious drugs.
The report can be found at www.acic.gov.au<http://www.acic.gov.au>.
Dan Tehan MP profile image
Justice AFP illicit drugs Monitoring Program