High Drug Crime Costs
The latest annual report of the Australian Crime Commission tabled in federal parliament claims that organized crime is a serious threat to Australia.
The commission estimates that organized crime costs Australia between $10 billion and $15 billion each year.
A substantial proportion of the profit generated from organized crime is through illicit drugs that have a devastating impact on the community.
When crime from illicit drug trafficking is added to the related criminal activity of money laundering it exceeds two thirds of all crime costs.
This means that organized crime involving illicit drugs and the associated money laundering costs us up to $10 billion EVERY year.
(Source: Australian Crime Commission annual report 2008/9 released November 2009)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
The high demand for illicit drugs is driving this organized crime in Australia.
In order to save some of this $10 billion in costs to our community Australia needs to reduce demand for illicit drugs.
The way to reduce demand for illicit drugs is to divert apprehended users into compulsory and comprehensive rehabilitation to get them free of drug use.
Australia needs to start now and set up rehabilitation programs to direct known users into rehabilitation and out of addiction.
A small proportion of the $10 billion organized crime costs diverted into drug rehabilitation would save our young people from death, addiction and massive health costs.
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.
3/2010
