Illicit Drugs

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:37): I rise to give my matters of interest speech today on the topic of illicit drugs, a topic which I have spoken about a number of times in this place, and I will continue to do so. Illicit drugs are again in the spotlight with a number of recent reports revealing the extent of illicit drug use across this country. Recent reports, including ones I have previously cited in this place, show that the use of illicit drugs is alarmingly on the rise, not only across Australia but in South Australia.

Reports such as the University of South Australia's wastewater study, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's Illicit Drug Data Report and the final report of the National Ice Taskforce all provide valuable insight on current trends relating to the use and distribution of drugs, as well as providing an overview of the performance of law enforcement in Australia and South Australia.

Reports show that the weight of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), or 'ice' as it is called in some cases, with respect to seizures is that they have increased by an astonishing 478 per cent in just one year. SAPOL deserve credit for their tireless work in this area; however, this figure is equally concerning as users of illicit drugs are clearly ignoring the substantial harm that these substances can cause to themselves and others.

Also of particular concern are the statistics revealing that the average doses of methamphetamines have doubled from roughly 150 per week in December 2011 to 300 per week in December 2015. Unfortunately, South Australia has the second highest number of users of ice in Australia at 1.4 per cent of the population, approximately 40 per cent higher than the national average.

Many users of illicit substances are not only harming themselves but often putting the safety and security of other lives at risk as well. Drug drivers are, of course, a good example; they risk their own life, they risk the lives of their passengers and also the lives of other motorists on the road. All too often we have seen the devastating impact of this, with 21 per cent of drivers and riders killed in road accidents between 2010 and 2014 having the presence of illegal street drugs in their system. I note that the minister in this place has quoted 24 per cent as the most recent statistic, and I understand that is the case for the last 12 months.

Instances of drug driving increased from 1,525 detections in 2014-15 to 1,808 in this financial year. I very often find myself reading a new story about parents dropping off kids and driving in school zones whilst under the influence of illicit drugs; I have seen a number of those articles in The Advertiser and elsewhere in recent times. Unfortunately, there are a number of people who fail to understand that illicit drugs and driving, especially, do not mix.

What is also concerning is that the Motor Accident Commission report revealed that there are now more drug drivers than drink drivers on the road. Although there are a number of ways to address the issue of illicit drugs, there is no easy solution. Education, early intervention, awareness, treatment and other preventive actions clearly have a positive impact, and Family First supports and encourages them.

The recent MAC campaign, in conjunction with SAPOL, to end drug driving has also had a welcome effect. South Australia is said to be the nation's leader in drug driving enforcement, conducting more tests per capita than any other state or territory. However, as I have previously raised with the Minister for Road Safety and for Police, people are simply not getting the message when it comes to drug driving, and I think the statistics I have just outlined prove this conclusively.

Evidently there is need for adequate deterrence within legislation to curtail the presence of illicit drugs in the community, and it is our role in this chamber to stand united and declare that we will not tolerate them, especially when it comes to driving. Specifically in relation to drug driving, there is a need to reinforce that driving is not an entitlement; people have to earn a licence, and in that sense it is a privilege of sorts.

I anticipate the outcome of the review instigated by the Minister for Road Safety into South Australia's drug driving laws, and I call on the government, the minister and the Attorney-General to reconsider the penalties for drug driving in South Australia, as clearly the current deterrents are not working.