Drug Incidence Up

New South Wales has experienced a large increase of illicit drug incidents according to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics & Research.

For the 2 years ended 31 December 2008 possession and/or use of -

The bureau suggested that apart from cocaine these increases probably reflect law enforcement.

With regard to cocaine, the National Drug and Alcohol Research centre found that between 2007 and 2008 there was a 63 per cent increase in the percentage of cocaine use in the previous 6 months.

The Australian Federal Police seizures of cocaine were also up in the first six months of last year and this reflects in part a growth in the use of this drug.

(Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics & Research, 15 April 2009).

DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-

The statistics confirm that Australian illicit drug use is high and this leads to illicit drug incidents.

Cocaine users do not realize the harm of use and there are no campaigns to inform them of the risks.

Cocaine users risk depression, heart attack, stroke, respiratory failure, psychosis, paranoia and delusions.

Increasing cocaine use will cause increased costs to government from medical emergencies, law enforcement and border protection.

Illicit drug users should be diverted into detoxification and then rehabilitation to get them free of illicit drugs.

THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-

More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.

13/2009