Drug use out of control in Victoria

A NEW report by the Intelligence Criminal Intelligence Commission shows drug manufacture in Victoria is rising, says Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy.

One in four clandestine laboratories detected in Australia in 2015-16 was in Victoria, up 10 per cent since Daniel Andrews came to office.

The report also showed Victoria recorded among the highest drug usage rates in the country.

The report found Melbourne was above the national average for use of the drug MDMA, while regional Victoria was above the national average for the use of ice, and the highest of anywhere in the country for the use of oxycodone (“hillbilly heroin”).

Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy:

“Daniel Andrews’ soft on crime approach and lack of resources for drug rehab has fuelled a drug crisis in Victoria where ice usage rates are twice the national average and used syringes are being used as weapons to terrorise our communities.

“Under Daniel Andrews’ watch, drug crime has spiralled out of control, drug use had skyrocketed, and wait lists for drug treatment have blown out to over a year.

“Only the Liberal Nationals have a plan to tackle the drug epidemic through targeted education, better access to drug treatment and bringing down the drug kingpins that prey on vulnerable people in our community.”

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