New WA plans for meth addicts

Meth addicts will been forced to undergo compulsory treatment in Western Australia.

Meth addicts will be forced to undergo compulsory treatment in Western Australia under new plans released by the McGowan government, which says it will not soften laws on illicit drug use or relax police pursuit of drug crime syndicates.

The government was respon­ding to the release of a 290-page Methamphetamine Action Plan Taskforce report, commissioned in July last year as part of its election promise to tackle meth use in the state.

The report says WA has the highest consumption rate of meth of any state or territory.

The taskforce had said addict­s and their families needed to be helped immediately.

Support will be increased for parents in dealing with addicted children, “because it can rip familie­s apart”.

Mobile response units will answe­r crisis calls relating to meth use and emergency mental health units will be created in two public hospitals.

Police Minister Michelle Roberts says recent wastewater testing for meth shows a downward trend in use in Perth.