Ice use in South Australia second-worst in nation

THE scourge of ice in Adelaide continues to grow, according to new data that shows the city’s rate of use is the second-worst in the nation.

• Push for ice injection rooms in Adelaide
• Special report: How ice is tearing our nation apart
• Young country tradies biggest abusers of ice
• Ice in Adelaide: Abundance of methamphetamine in Adelaide
• Sewage analysis shows Adelaide’s ice usage at record high

THE scourge of ice in Adelaide continues to grow, according to new data that shows the city’s rate of use is the second-worst in the nation.

Sewage analysis paints an accurate picture of a community’s drug use and the first results of a national survey released on Sunday show the true extent of the deadly chemical’s spread.

Unlike most other states, South Australian consumption of methylamphetamine is higher in the city than in the regions.

About 50 doses per 1000 people were consumed per day in Adelaide, compared with about 40 in the regions. The average national use is just over 35.

The first National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Report will help “flush out crooks”, according to the Government.

They have commissioned the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission to measure the consumption of ice and other drugs through sewage.

The report also found that Sydney is the nation’s cocaine capital, and that Australia’s ice consumption is the second highest in a comparison of similar countries. Ice is highly addictive, and can cause psychosis and violent rages.

Last week the Sunday Mail revealed calls for an ice ingestion room in Adelaide, where drugs users could use without fear of prosecution, as one tool to tackle the issue.

The Government’s “covert testing” across 50 sites covers about 14 million Australians, or about 60 per cent of the population.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the data would ensure the Government can “better target our law enforcement and health responses, and monitor their progress”.

“The report’s first findings drive home the message that we cannot simply arrest our way out of this problem — we must tackle the demand for illicit drugs in Australia,” he said.

“Make no mistake; the Coalition Government will use every weapon in our arsenal to break the business models of serious and organised crime gangs that thrive on the evil profits of ice and other drugs.”

SA’s cocaine and ecstasy use was relatively low compared to the other states.

Earlier this year, lab testing by the University of SA found ice use had leapt 25 per cent in the past year.

Last week the Sunday Mail revealed calls for an ice ingestion room in Adelaide, where drugs users could use without fear of prosecution, as one tool to tackle the issue.

Last week, it was revealed that SA will only receive a small proportion of federal funding for ice addiction.

Nick Xenophon Team’s Senator Skye Kakoschke-Moore hit out at the revelation that just $11.6 million $241.5 million (4.8 per cent) would come to SA, labelling it “suspiciously low”.

ACIC chief executive officer Chris Dawson said the results would be integral to shaping responses to illicit drugs.

“With serious and organised crime driving supply trends, and resilient user demand, (the commission) is committed to working with our partners to better understand the threat, the role of serious and organised crime in the problem and the need to collectively work on effective responses,” he said.

The wastewater analysis also found alcohol and tobacco are the most consumed substances in every state.