Senior drug cop says remote communities at risk of meth use

Growing methamphetamine use in the Territory is threatening to spill into vulnerable remote communities, and one of the NT’s most senior drug cops says its only a matter of time.

Remote Territory communities are on the brink of being overrun with methamphetamines, one of the NT’s most senior drug and organised crime cops says.

Detective Sergeant Ken Bradshaw, an investigator with NT Police’s Drug and Organised Crime Division, has policed in remote areas for the best part of 15 years and has seen methamphetamine use increase ten-fold in the past decade.

And now, as the presence of the drug grows in towns such as Katherine and Alice Springs, he is warning communities are at risk.

“It’s only a matter of time before that might occur,” he said.

“It’s there in communities, but it’s among tradespeople, professionals.

Drug and Organised Crime Division Detective Sergeant Ken Bradshaw said remote communities were on the brink of being overrun with methamphetamines. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“I don’t believe it’s crossed over yet into the local Indigenous communities but I’m expecting at some stage that will happen.

“Methamphetamine use is on the increase … if you’d ask me 10 years ago if we’d be where we are now I probably wouldn’t have thought so. There’s a lot. It’s becoming more common and probably more acceptable.”

He said only two factors were keeping methamphetamines out of communities: cost and fear.

“A big thing is the cost at the moment,” he said.

“The cost of methamphetamines in the Territory particularly is higher than it’s ever been.

“The cost is probably exceeding what people can afford plus that combined fear of the drug itself among that community.”

However, Sergeant Bradshaw said those factors would only stop the drug’s spread for so long.

Sergeant Bradshaw said increased methamphetamine use in Katherine and Alice Springs posed a threat to remote communities keeping the drug out. Picture: Che Chorley

“It wouldn’t take much (to reduce) the cost. Flood Australia with methamphetamines, reduce the price and someone markets it in an Indigenous community and I think we’ll be in trouble,” he said.

“If I got information or any indication that methamphetamine had been supplied in a remote community that would become a priority investigation.”

Sergeant Bradshaw said the effects of methamphetamines reaching communities would be extreme.

“You’ll see mental health spiral down out of control,” he said.

“Health will struggle to keep up with the issues surrounding methamphetamine use. You’ll see a lot of money leave the community.”

Sergeant Bradshaw said methamphetamine reaching remote communities would result in a “massive” economic loss for communities, as well as spiralling mental health.

He also said the “massive” economic impact of money leaving communities for purchasing cannabis would be worsened if people were buying methamphetamines.

“People are already living on or below the poverty line,” he said.

“Substance abuse is a serious problem economically.”

The increased crime, particularly property crime, associated with methamphetamine use was also a concern for Sergeant Bradshaw.

“Whether you need to get the money to get it (methamphetamines) and you’re committing crime – property crime – or you’re assaulting people and committing robberies,” he said.

“Drug dealers don’t hand out methamphetamines for free.”