Illicit Drugs

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14:51): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Police a question on the seizures and arrests relating to illicit substances.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: Figures released by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission in their illicit drug data report have revealed that South Australia has the highest number of seizures and arrests in relation to amphetamines in the nation. Statistics show that the South Australian police have seized approximately 145 kilograms of amphetamines in the 2014-15 financial year, compared to just over 25 kilograms in 2013-14—a six-fold increase, approximately.

Drug-related seizures have correspondingly increased 67 per cent to 755, as opposed to 452 in 2013-14. As a result, there are on average more than four people a day being taken into custody for a drug-related offence, which represents a 10 per cent increase from the previous financial year. The report revealed police confiscations of amphetamines have overtaken seizures of other illicit drugs, including cocaine, cannabis and heroin, which is a first in South Australian history.

South Australia is now the only state in the country where amphetamines are the highest and most frequently detected drug, so I commend the police on their vigilance in this issue. My questions to the minister are:

1. Can the large increase in amphetamine seizures be attributed to a focus by SAPOL operations on this particular area?

2. How is information for reports such as the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's illicit drug data report utilised by SAPOL and the government in determining their strategies in order to combat illicit drug use in South Australia?

3. Are statistics from reports used to form investigations and specifically target operations?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:52): I thank the honourable member for his question. It is an important one because the data that came out—I think it was released only this morning—is significant and certainly noteworthy for all of us in the community concerned about the issue of illicit drug use generally, but particularly in a South Australian context.

The answer to the Hon. Mr Hood's first question is yes. A significant contributing factor to the spike that we have seen in seizures of drugs conducted by police, particularly methamphetamines, can be attributed to ongoing and, indeed, increased activity on behalf of SAPOL in trying to make sure that they are doing everything they can to rid our community of these awful drugs, particularly methamphetamine, otherwise known as ice. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the federal minister launched the illicit drug data report earlier today. SAPOL and Forensic Science SA provided key data to the report, including information about the issuing of cannabis expiation notices, along with illicit drug seizures, arrests and purity.

In 2014-15, SAPOL attributes the concentrated efforts against those who profit, manufacture and distribute amphetamine-type stimulants as resulting in this category of drugs accounting for 51 per cent of illicit drug seizures in South Australia related to ATS—the highest proportion reported by any state or territory. The drug data has assessed that methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, is highly addictive and poses a significant risk to the community, as we all know.

Taking on board the results of the data contained in the report that was released this morning, and in previous reports, SAPOL has proactively responded to the growing use of amphetamine-type stimulants by committing to a corporate action plan titled Operation Atlas. Operation Atlas, combined with Operation Mantle—and from memory Operation Mantle is focused on street-level drug dealing—has delivered substantial results in apprehensions and seizures on behalf of SAPOL, which we believe is making a significant contribution to reducing the supply of drugs on our streets that are available to those people who would otherwise use them.

Of course, it would be naive to assume that that was the only contributing factor to the statistics that were released this morning. I think we all have to accept, and we would find it hard to deny that there has been increasing awareness and indeed there have been suggestions of increasing use of some drugs within the community, particularly ice. That is something that certainly has me concerned. I know it has the police commissioner concerned and it has other police ministers and policymakers in this area around the country concerned. But I am confident that SAPOL is working overtime to do something about it. I mentioned both Operation Atlas and Operation Mantle, but also, I think importantly, SAPOL is working collaboratively with other police forces around the country and also with federal jurisdictions to try to share intelligence, share operational knowledge to do everything we can to minimise the likelihood of these drugs ending up on our streets.