❓ Ms. Mettam questions the Minister for Police regarding a reported increase in drug dealing despite the government's claims of taking tough action against meth use. The Minister responds by highlighting police seizures and new powers.
AnsweredQoN 177Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
METHAMPHETAMINE — USE
177. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Police:
I refer to the comment by the
minister's government that —
''Hardworking Western Australian
families should not have to put up with crime linked to meth use and hard
drugs. That's why we are not just talking tough—we are taking
action which will make it tougher than ever for the drug dealers and pushers.''
If the minister is taking tough
action, the number of drug-related offences should be going down. Why has drug
dealing increased by 38 per cent over the past year?
177. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Police:
I refer to the comment by the
minister's government that —
''Hardworking Western Australian
families should not have to put up with crime linked to meth use and hard
drugs. That's why we are not just talking tough—we are taking
action which will make it tougher than ever for the drug dealers and pushers.''
If the minister is taking tough
action, the number of drug-related offences should be going down. Why has drug
dealing increased by 38 per cent over the past year?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for her question.
In the last financial year, so since July last year, the Western Australia
Police Force has seized 314 kilograms of methylamphetamine and $22 million of
cash from organised criminals. The police are employing the powers that we gave
them at the time of that media release to which the member referred, which
includes the anti-consorting legislation; the subsequent fire and prohibition
order, part of the amendment to the Firearms Act; the amendment to the Misuse
of Drugs Act, which created permanent search areas; and other police powers
that are far more extensive than at any time before now. The police are
employing those powers to full effect. It is a challenge that does not just
disappear. Organised criminals, by their nature, will be relentless in endeavouring
to bring illicit drugs to this state, and methylamphetamine is the preferred
drug in Western Australia, but the Western Australia Police Force is doing an
exceptional job and it has been afforded all the resources necessary to
undertake that task.
In the last financial year, so since July last year, the Western Australia
Police Force has seized 314 kilograms of methylamphetamine and $22 million of
cash from organised criminals. The police are employing the powers that we gave
them at the time of that media release to which the member referred, which
includes the anti-consorting legislation; the subsequent fire and prohibition
order, part of the amendment to the Firearms Act; the amendment to the Misuse
of Drugs Act, which created permanent search areas; and other police powers
that are far more extensive than at any time before now. The police are
employing those powers to full effect. It is a challenge that does not just
disappear. Organised criminals, by their nature, will be relentless in endeavouring
to bring illicit drugs to this state, and methylamphetamine is the preferred
drug in Western Australia, but the Western Australia Police Force is doing an
exceptional job and it has been afforded all the resources necessary to
undertake that task.
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