Drug scourge: Judges let ice storm deepen across NSW
REGIONAL NSW has joined Sydney as the epicentre of Australia’s ice epidemic as drug lords flood crystal meth into vulnerable communities across the state.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
REGIONAL NSW has joined Sydney as the epicentre of Australia’s ice epidemic as drug lords, emboldened by soft sentencing, flood crystal meth and other illegal amphetamines into vulnerable communities across the state.
New data shows that judges went soft on dealers and traffickers just as the current tidal wave of ice poured across the state.
Average jail terms for dealing or trafficking commercial quantities of amphetamines (including ice and speed) plunged to just 32 months in 2014, the lowest since 2008.
FLAKKA: THE DRUG MORE DANGEROUS THAN ICE
A year later the number of people caught with ice and other amphetamines surged alarmingly. The Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven experienced a 124 per cent increase in detections of amphetamine use and possession in 2015, reflecting the increased presence of meth and ice in regional centres.
On Sydney’s northern beaches there was a 138 per cent rise in detections. Statewide, amphetamine use and possession detections rose 37 per cent in 2015, with Sydney CBD and inner city remaining the biggest trouble areas.
“It’s easy to make, easy to sell, highly addictive and easy to get,” said Nationals MP Kevin Anderson, who has arranged an emergency regional summit in Tamworth today to address the ice epidemic.
“If we can make it as difficult as possible for drug dealers and manufacturers to operate — and run them out of town — that is my goal and I will do everything I can to make it possible.”
In September the Baird government introduced maximum life sentences for supplying or manufacturing commercial amounts of ice.
“The government’s recent changing to sentencing is an indication of how serious we take the issue but sentencing is ultimately a decision for judges and they must reflect the community’s expectations,” said Acting Premier and Police Minister Troy Grant (pictured), who is attending the Tamworth forum.
Around 200 Australians are believed to have died after taking the drug methamphetamine in 2015.
Join the conversation
Four face trial over fatal fencing wire crash
The trial against four men alleged to be at the centre of a horror crash that claimed the life of father-of-two Martin Strait near Grafton is underway after four years.
Read more
Teal edges ahead of Liberal in Bradfield
Teal candidate Nicolette Boele has edged in front of Liberal contender Giselle Kapterian in the battle for the northern Sydney electorate of Bradfield by a mere 40 votes, with a recount likely.
Read more