❓ A parliamentary question addresses the discrepancy between increased drug seizures and decreased amphetamine arrests in WA, questioning the government's drug policy. The Minister acknowledges the issue, citing recent government action and investment.
AnsweredQoN 385Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
AMPHETAMINE ARRESTS
The Australian Crime Commission’s latest “Illicit Drug Data Report” reveals that over the past two reporting years Western Australia was the only state or territory to record a reduction in arrests for amphetamines, including methamphetamine, or ice. (1) Given the significant increase in the total weight of drugs seized and the number of seizures over the past two reporting years, why is Western Australia the only state to have a falling number of amphetamine arrests? (2) Will the minister finally concede that this appalling figure is further evidence of the danger of the Carpenter government’s soft-on-drugs approach? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
The Australian Crime Commission’s latest “Illicit Drug Data Report” reveals that over the past two reporting years Western Australia was the only state or territory to record a reduction in arrests for amphetamines, including methamphetamine, or ice. (1) Given the significant increase in the total weight of drugs seized and the number of seizures over the past two reporting years, why is Western Australia the only state to have a falling number of amphetamine arrests? (2) Will the minister finally concede that this appalling figure is further evidence of the danger of the Carpenter government’s soft-on-drugs approach? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I cannot confirm the particular statistics quoted by the member, but I will give the figures from a report entitled “Issues and Trends in Reported Crime Statistics”, issued by the Western Australia Police. It states Reported Drugs (Traffic) have declined since the May 2007 peak, in June 2007 offences decline 21.6% from the previous month, yet were still 42.2% higher than June 2006 The figures went down in the last month, but they were still higher than in June 2006, and the report states that they were still 51 per cent higher than the five-year average. That reflects some of what the member was saying. Dr G.G. Jacobs : That is what I was saying. You’re corroborating what I was saying. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I just said that. I will slow it up a bit, if the member does not understand what I am saying. I am actually trying to deal with facts. I respect the member for Roe because, in my experience, he is a man who tries to deal with the facts, which sets him apart from many of the people around him. The issue is that the government recognised a problem with amphetamine use in this state, and acted. We held a summit with all the key government and non-government people. We have released a report, and put $16 million into implementing it, because we recognise that this is an issue. Crime statistics in most other areas are heading down markedly, but this is an area in which we saw a need for more attention. We have responded to that need, and we will continue to respond so that the results go in the right direction.
(1) Given the significant increase in the total weight of drugs seized and the number of seizures over the past two reporting years, why is Western Australia the only state to have a falling number of amphetamine arrests? (2) Will the minister finally concede that this appalling figure is further evidence of the danger of the Carpenter government’s soft-on-drugs approach? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I cannot confirm the particular statistics quoted by the member, but I will give the figures from a report entitled “Issues and Trends in Reported Crime Statistics”, issued by the Western Australia Police. It states Reported Drugs (Traffic) have declined since the May 2007 peak, in June 2007 offences decline 21.6% from the previous month, yet were still 42.2% higher than June 2006 The figures went down in the last month, but they were still higher than in June 2006, and the report states that they were still 51 per cent higher than the five-year average. That reflects some of what the member was saying. Dr G.G. Jacobs : That is what I was saying. You’re corroborating what I was saying. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I just said that. I will slow it up a bit, if the member does not understand what I am saying. I am actually trying to deal with facts. I respect the member for Roe because, in my experience, he is a man who tries to deal with the facts, which sets him apart from many of the people around him. The issue is that the government recognised a problem with amphetamine use in this state, and acted. We held a summit with all the key government and non-government people. We have released a report, and put $16 million into implementing it, because we recognise that this is an issue. Crime statistics in most other areas are heading down markedly, but this is an area in which we saw a need for more attention. We have responded to that need, and we will continue to respond so that the results go in the right direction.
(2) Will the minister finally concede that this appalling figure is further evidence of the danger of the Carpenter government’s soft-on-drugs approach? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I cannot confirm the particular statistics quoted by the member, but I will give the figures from a report entitled “Issues and Trends in Reported Crime Statistics”, issued by the Western Australia Police. It states Reported Drugs (Traffic) have declined since the May 2007 peak, in June 2007 offences decline 21.6% from the previous month, yet were still 42.2% higher than June 2006 The figures went down in the last month, but they were still higher than in June 2006, and the report states that they were still 51 per cent higher than the five-year average. That reflects some of what the member was saying. Dr G.G. Jacobs : That is what I was saying. You’re corroborating what I was saying. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I just said that. I will slow it up a bit, if the member does not understand what I am saying. I am actually trying to deal with facts. I respect the member for Roe because, in my experience, he is a man who tries to deal with the facts, which sets him apart from many of the people around him. The issue is that the government recognised a problem with amphetamine use in this state, and acted. We held a summit with all the key government and non-government people. We have released a report, and put $16 million into implementing it, because we recognise that this is an issue. Crime statistics in most other areas are heading down markedly, but this is an area in which we saw a need for more attention. We have responded to that need, and we will continue to respond so that the results go in the right direction.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I cannot confirm the particular statistics quoted by the member, but I will give the figures from a report entitled “Issues and Trends in Reported Crime Statistics”, issued by the Western Australia Police. It states Reported Drugs (Traffic) have declined since the May 2007 peak, in June 2007 offences decline 21.6% from the previous month, yet were still 42.2% higher than June 2006 The figures went down in the last month, but they were still higher than in June 2006, and the report states that they were still 51 per cent higher than the five-year average. That reflects some of what the member was saying. Dr G.G. Jacobs : That is what I was saying. You’re corroborating what I was saying. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I just said that. I will slow it up a bit, if the member does not understand what I am saying. I am actually trying to deal with facts. I respect the member for Roe because, in my experience, he is a man who tries to deal with the facts, which sets him apart from many of the people around him. The issue is that the government recognised a problem with amphetamine use in this state, and acted. We held a summit with all the key government and non-government people. We have released a report, and put $16 million into implementing it, because we recognise that this is an issue. Crime statistics in most other areas are heading down markedly, but this is an area in which we saw a need for more attention. We have responded to that need, and we will continue to respond so that the results go in the right direction.
(1)-(2) I cannot confirm the particular statistics quoted by the member, but I will give the figures from a report entitled “Issues and Trends in Reported Crime Statistics”, issued by the Western Australia Police. It states Reported Drugs (Traffic) have declined since the May 2007 peak, in June 2007 offences decline 21.6% from the previous month, yet were still 42.2% higher than June 2006 The figures went down in the last month, but they were still higher than in June 2006, and the report states that they were still 51 per cent higher than the five-year average. That reflects some of what the member was saying. Dr G.G. Jacobs : That is what I was saying. You’re corroborating what I was saying. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I just said that. I will slow it up a bit, if the member does not understand what I am saying. I am actually trying to deal with facts. I respect the member for Roe because, in my experience, he is a man who tries to deal with the facts, which sets him apart from many of the people around him. The issue is that the government recognised a problem with amphetamine use in this state, and acted. We held a summit with all the key government and non-government people. We have released a report, and put $16 million into implementing it, because we recognise that this is an issue. Crime statistics in most other areas are heading down markedly, but this is an area in which we saw a need for more attention. We have responded to that need, and we will continue to respond so that the results go in the right direction.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I just said that. I will slow it up a bit, if the member does not understand what I am saying. I am actually trying to deal with facts. I respect the member for Roe because, in my experience, he is a man who tries to deal with the facts, which sets him apart from many of the people around him. The issue is that the government recognised a problem with amphetamine use in this state, and acted. We held a summit with all the key government and non-government people. We have released a report, and put $16 million into implementing it, because we recognise that this is an issue. Crime statistics in most other areas are heading down markedly, but this is an area in which we saw a need for more attention. We have responded to that need, and we will continue to respond so that the results go in the right direction.
The issue is that the government recognised a problem with amphetamine use in this state, and acted. We held a summit with all the key government and non-government people. We have released a report, and put $16 million into implementing it, because we recognise that this is an issue. Crime statistics in most other areas are heading down markedly, but this is an area in which we saw a need for more attention. We have responded to that need, and we will continue to respond so that the results go in the right direction.
(1) Given the significant increase in the total weight of drugs seized and the number of seizures over the past two reporting years, why is Western Australia the only state to have a falling number of amphetamine arrests? (2) Will the minister finally concede that this appalling figure is further evidence of the danger of the Carpenter government’s soft-on-drugs approach? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I cannot confirm the particular statistics quoted by the member, but I will give the figures from a report entitled “Issues and Trends in Reported Crime Statistics”, issued by the Western Australia Police. It states Reported Drugs (Traffic) have declined since the May 2007 peak, in June 2007 offences decline 21.6% from the previous month, yet were still 42.2% higher than June 2006 The figures went down in the last month, but they were still higher than in June 2006, and the report states that they were still 51 per cent higher than the five-year average. That reflects some of what the member was saying. Dr G.G. Jacobs : That is what I was saying. You’re corroborating what I was saying. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I just said that. I will slow it up a bit, if the member does not understand what I am saying. I am actually trying to deal with facts. I respect the member for Roe because, in my experience, he is a man who tries to deal with the facts, which sets him apart from many of the people around him. The issue is that the government recognised a problem with amphetamine use in this state, and acted. We held a summit with all the key government and non-government people. We have released a report, and put $16 million into implementing it, because we recognise that this is an issue. Crime statistics in most other areas are heading down markedly, but this is an area in which we saw a need for more attention. We have responded to that need, and we will continue to respond so that the results go in the right direction.
(2) Will the minister finally concede that this appalling figure is further evidence of the danger of the Carpenter government’s soft-on-drugs approach? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I cannot confirm the particular statistics quoted by the member, but I will give the figures from a report entitled “Issues and Trends in Reported Crime Statistics”, issued by the Western Australia Police. It states Reported Drugs (Traffic) have declined since the May 2007 peak, in June 2007 offences decline 21.6% from the previous month, yet were still 42.2% higher than June 2006 The figures went down in the last month, but they were still higher than in June 2006, and the report states that they were still 51 per cent higher than the five-year average. That reflects some of what the member was saying. Dr G.G. Jacobs : That is what I was saying. You’re corroborating what I was saying. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I just said that. I will slow it up a bit, if the member does not understand what I am saying. I am actually trying to deal with facts. I respect the member for Roe because, in my experience, he is a man who tries to deal with the facts, which sets him apart from many of the people around him. The issue is that the government recognised a problem with amphetamine use in this state, and acted. We held a summit with all the key government and non-government people. We have released a report, and put $16 million into implementing it, because we recognise that this is an issue. Crime statistics in most other areas are heading down markedly, but this is an area in which we saw a need for more attention. We have responded to that need, and we will continue to respond so that the results go in the right direction.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I cannot confirm the particular statistics quoted by the member, but I will give the figures from a report entitled “Issues and Trends in Reported Crime Statistics”, issued by the Western Australia Police. It states Reported Drugs (Traffic) have declined since the May 2007 peak, in June 2007 offences decline 21.6% from the previous month, yet were still 42.2% higher than June 2006 The figures went down in the last month, but they were still higher than in June 2006, and the report states that they were still 51 per cent higher than the five-year average. That reflects some of what the member was saying. Dr G.G. Jacobs : That is what I was saying. You’re corroborating what I was saying. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I just said that. I will slow it up a bit, if the member does not understand what I am saying. I am actually trying to deal with facts. I respect the member for Roe because, in my experience, he is a man who tries to deal with the facts, which sets him apart from many of the people around him. The issue is that the government recognised a problem with amphetamine use in this state, and acted. We held a summit with all the key government and non-government people. We have released a report, and put $16 million into implementing it, because we recognise that this is an issue. Crime statistics in most other areas are heading down markedly, but this is an area in which we saw a need for more attention. We have responded to that need, and we will continue to respond so that the results go in the right direction.
(1)-(2) I cannot confirm the particular statistics quoted by the member, but I will give the figures from a report entitled “Issues and Trends in Reported Crime Statistics”, issued by the Western Australia Police. It states Reported Drugs (Traffic) have declined since the May 2007 peak, in June 2007 offences decline 21.6% from the previous month, yet were still 42.2% higher than June 2006 The figures went down in the last month, but they were still higher than in June 2006, and the report states that they were still 51 per cent higher than the five-year average. That reflects some of what the member was saying. Dr G.G. Jacobs : That is what I was saying. You’re corroborating what I was saying. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I just said that. I will slow it up a bit, if the member does not understand what I am saying. I am actually trying to deal with facts. I respect the member for Roe because, in my experience, he is a man who tries to deal with the facts, which sets him apart from many of the people around him. The issue is that the government recognised a problem with amphetamine use in this state, and acted. We held a summit with all the key government and non-government people. We have released a report, and put $16 million into implementing it, because we recognise that this is an issue. Crime statistics in most other areas are heading down markedly, but this is an area in which we saw a need for more attention. We have responded to that need, and we will continue to respond so that the results go in the right direction.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I just said that. I will slow it up a bit, if the member does not understand what I am saying. I am actually trying to deal with facts. I respect the member for Roe because, in my experience, he is a man who tries to deal with the facts, which sets him apart from many of the people around him. The issue is that the government recognised a problem with amphetamine use in this state, and acted. We held a summit with all the key government and non-government people. We have released a report, and put $16 million into implementing it, because we recognise that this is an issue. Crime statistics in most other areas are heading down markedly, but this is an area in which we saw a need for more attention. We have responded to that need, and we will continue to respond so that the results go in the right direction.
The issue is that the government recognised a problem with amphetamine use in this state, and acted. We held a summit with all the key government and non-government people. We have released a report, and put $16 million into implementing it, because we recognise that this is an issue. Crime statistics in most other areas are heading down markedly, but this is an area in which we saw a need for more attention. We have responded to that need, and we will continue to respond so that the results go in the right direction.
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