DRUG CRIME COSTS
In 2008 organized crime in Australia is estimated conservatively to cost $10 billion according to the Australian Crime Commission.
The estimate includes the loss of legitimate business revenue, loss of taxation revenue, law enforcement expenditure, regulation and social harms where criminal activity compromises the health, safety and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
Illicit drugs account for at least 50 per cent of the costs of organized crime which are conservatively estimated at $5 billion per year.
As the illicit drug profits are repatriated overseas the costs involving money laundering will add to the cost of organized drug crime.
The Australian Crime Commission believes that organized crime gangs are highly efficient, use the latest technology and employ highly paid professionals to protect their activities.
(Source: Organised Crime in Australia, Australian Crime Commission, February 2009).
The Drug Advisory Council of Australia comments
This report highlights that Australia provides high demand and profits for organized criminal gangs.
Australia can reduce these high costs to our community by-
Reducing the demand for illicit drugs.
Reducing the number of Australian illicit drug users.
Providing early intervention drug resistance programs that deter new illicit drug users.
Providing court ordered and supervised drug detoxification and rehabilitation.
Ensuring known illicit drug users are diverted into programs that get them free of drugs.
The $5 billion and more annual costs would be recovered quickly and our people would be happier and healthier for these initiatives.
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.