that a spike in the consumption of illicit drugs in Victoria yet again highlights the failure of Daniel Andrews to get illicit drugs off Victorian streets and out of local communities.
A report by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre has confirmed more than 1 in 20 Victorians reported using cocaine in 2019-20, more than double the rate in 2016-17, with total cocaine consumptions has increased 80 per cent over the same period.
Furthermore, wastewater analysis from theAustralian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) confirms;
- Victoria remains the heroin capital of Australia, with more than 45 per cent of total heroin consumption.
- Regional Victoria continues to have one of the highest rates of methylamphetamine usage in the nation.
- Victoria has the highest estimated positive detections for synthetic stimulant mephedrone.
It has been reported that the pandemic and Victoria's extended lockdown has been a boom time for drug dealers, with strong demand triggered as casual users sought entertainment and escape during the gruelling lockdown.
Daniel Andrews' community safety failures have now seen the nation's most liveable state become the most drug affected one, with local communities and families being left to fend for themselves.
As stated by Shadow Minister for Police and Community Safety, David Southwick:
"Under Daniel Andrews, illicit drugs continue to thrive across Victoria meaning more crime and a less safe, enjoyable and liveable state for everyone.
"With consumption continuing to rise, it's clear Labor has no plan to get dangerous drugs out of the hands of dealers, off our streets and keep our community safe.
"Daniel Andrews must act to stop the supply of these deadly drugs at their source and support dependent users to break the habit and get on the right path."
As stated by Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy:
"Daniel Andrews' only plan to tackle ice use in Victoria is to build and mismanage an injecting room in suburban Richmond, while ignoring real help to reduce the harm across the state, particularly in regional Victoria.
"Under the Andrews Labor Government we have a crisis in availability and resourcing of rehabilitation options, which means Victorians genuinely seeking help to get clean are being told they'll have to wait months to access rehabilitation.
"Daniel Andrews and Labor spent more than $200 million on their failed Ice Action Plan. For the results to go backwards so significantly just shows how careless and irresponsible the government is."
