Ice Action Plan Needed Now More Than Ever

The Andrews Labor Government’s Ice Action Plan is needed now more than ever, with a Sentencing Advisory Council report released today finding ice was the most common drug trafficked in commercial quantities in Victoria over the last five years.

Analysing five years of sentencing practices, the Major Drug Offences: Current Sentencing Practices report also found:

· Criminal organisations regularly preyed upon vulnerable people by capitalising on their drug-related or gambling debts, using those people to “crop-sit” or “house-sit” to pay off their debts

· Many offenders convicted of major drug trafficking related crime are not the principal organisers of insidious criminal enterprises

· 24 per cent of large commercial drug traffickers and 20 per cent of commercial cultivators have gambling problems

Earlier this month, the Labor Government released its Ice Action Plan, a landmark, $45 million effort to reduce the supply, demand and harm of a drug ruining people’s lives.

Under the Plan – developed on the advice of Victoria Police and health and legal experts – the Labor Government will invest:

· $4.7 million to help families identify and manage ice users

· $1 million to support frontline workers who are at risk of getting attacked at work

· $18 million to expand drug treatment and rehabilitation, so users can get the help they need, and set up a dedicated Ice Help Line that directs families and health professionals to the support they need

· $4.5 million plan to crack down on clandestine drug labs and tough laws to stop dealers and manufacturers

· $1.8 million to enhance the capacity of Needle and Syringe Programs

· $15 million for new drug and booze buses

· $500,000 to help community groups tackle ice use in their local area

The work of the Premier’s Ice Action Taskforce will continue, with a long-term role to support the implementation of the Plan and advise the Government where more effort is needed.

Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Martin Pakula

“This is further evidence that ice is ruining lives, and the Andrews Labor Government’s Ice Action Plan is needed now more than ever.”

“The report shows drug kingpins are targeting vulnerable community members and using them to cultivate and distribute the drugs ruining people’s lives.”

“The impact of drug-related crime is far reaching. That’s why we’re supporting families, treating users and making our communities safer.”