❓ The opposition questions the effectiveness of the government's methamphetamine action plan given recent wastewater data. The government defends its record, citing a decrease in meth consumption since 2016 and attributing success to border closures and anti-bikie laws.
AnsweredQoN 121Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
NATIONAL WASTEWATER DRUG MONITORING PROGRAM
121. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the Leader of the House representing
the Premier:
I refer to recent figures released
by the national wastewater drug monitoring program confirming increased
consumption of methylamphetamine in Western Australia by 40 per cent over the
last year.
(1) Is the state government's
methamphetamine action plan working?
(2) What adjustments will have to
be made to make the plan work more effectively?
121. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the Leader of the House representing
the Premier:
I refer to recent figures released
by the national wastewater drug monitoring program confirming increased
consumption of methylamphetamine in Western Australia by 40 per cent over the
last year.
(1) Is the state government's
methamphetamine action plan working?
(2) What adjustments will have to
be made to make the plan work more effectively?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) The
national wastewater drug monitoring program report released this month shows
that methylamphetamine consumption in Western Australia is approximately
one-third less than it was compared with when it peaked under the former
Liberal–National government in 2016. In addition to incredible
drug-suppression operations being carried out by the WA Police Force, Labor's
hard borders severed bikie-controlled drug supply chains during the pandemic,
seeing meth consumption plummet. Subsequently, the state government has
introduced the toughest anti-bikie laws in the country and given police the
power to conduct regular drug searches at 22 entry points into Western Australia.
As a result, drug offences in Western Australia decreased by 33 per cent in
2023 compared with under the Liberals and Nationals in 2016. We will continue
to look at ways to further reduce the harm this abhorrent drug causes, unlike
the Liberal Party that has no policies to keep the community safe.
some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) The
national wastewater drug monitoring program report released this month shows
that methylamphetamine consumption in Western Australia is approximately
one-third less than it was compared with when it peaked under the former
Liberal–National government in 2016. In addition to incredible
drug-suppression operations being carried out by the WA Police Force, Labor's
hard borders severed bikie-controlled drug supply chains during the pandemic,
seeing meth consumption plummet. Subsequently, the state government has
introduced the toughest anti-bikie laws in the country and given police the
power to conduct regular drug searches at 22 entry points into Western Australia.
As a result, drug offences in Western Australia decreased by 33 per cent in
2023 compared with under the Liberals and Nationals in 2016. We will continue
to look at ways to further reduce the harm this abhorrent drug causes, unlike
the Liberal Party that has no policies to keep the community safe.
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