Drugs crisis getting worse not better

Victoria’s drugs crisis continues to get worse, says Shadow Minister for Country Health Emma Kealy.

Figures released by the Crime Statistics Agency last week show a 117.2 per cent increase in the number of people caught with methamphetamine, or Ice, since Daniel Andrews was elected.

It’s an increase from 2663 offences at December 2014 to 5785 at June 2018.

It’s clear Daniel Andrews’ dud $184 million Ice Action Plan isn’t making a dent in the number of lives that are being destroyed by this insidious drug.

Victoria’s drugs crisis isn’t only destroying the lives of addicts and their loved ones.

It’s also the lives of Victorians who are victim to drug-related crime, like violent crime and aggravated burglaries.

Despite this, figures supplied by The Police Association show a massive cut to frontline police under Daniel Andrews, with 190 fewer frontline police now than there were in 2013.

Under Daniel Andrews we are seeing drug use and overdoses skyrocket, drug associated crime spiral out of control, and waitlists for drug treatment blow out to over a year.

Only a Liberal Nationals Government will tackle the drugs crisis in Victoria with a focus on targeted education for younger people, better access to rehabilitation – including a new residential rehabilitation centre in Mildura – and tougher penalties for drug kingpins who prey on our most vulnerable.

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