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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-02-16 Daily Xml
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POLICE PASSIVE ALERT DRUG DETECTOR DOGS

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (14:34): My question is to the Minister for Police. Can the minister outline the effectiveness of passive alert drug detector dogs?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:35): I thank the member for Florey for this question about the vital work that is being undertaken by our passive alert drug detector dogs. Not only are SAPOL's five drug detector dogs a visual deterrent to any would-be drug taker or user but also they are responsible for getting drugs off the state streets.

These dogs are being used at a variety of festivals and events, including dance concerts, the Clipsal 500, the Royal Show and at AAMI and Hindmarsh stadiums. During the last financial year they were deployed on 462 occasions to places like Mount Gambier, Naracoorte, Tanunda, Whyalla, Port Augusta, Tumby Bay, Victor Harbor for Schoolies Week, and Balaklava for the cup, and they were used on potential drug transit routes as well. The dogs were also deployed at licensed premises on 120 occasions from the CBD to Noarlunga and Port Augusta. SAPOL used them at the Adelaide Airport, the Franklin Street bus terminal and various suburban railway stations.

The PADD dogs were introduced in South Australia in 2008 following amendments to the Summary Offences Act. These amendments were part of this government's broader initiatives to crack down on hydroponics, meth labs, drugs and drug dealers and, importantly, to help keep our community safe—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Bragg, you are warned for the second time.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: If the dogs detect drugs, their handlers have the power to conduct a search. As a result of their efforts over the last financial year, 11 people were arrested, 400 reported and a further 94 people diverted for drug related offences. They have detected cannabis, ecstasy tablets, cocaine and amphetamines, as well as drug paraphernalia.

What is not measured is the individuals who have been deterred from offending, saving resources for our police, courts and prisons, as well as the thousands of people who have been able to party and celebrate in peace and safety because the dealers have been kept out of events for fear of being detected.

The Department for Correctional Services also used six passive alert drug detector dogs in our prisons where drugs, home-made weapons and mobile phones have been located and confiscated. Every day, these animals, our police and corrections officers are helping to keep our community safe, and they deserve our appreciation.

The SPEAKER: Member for Norwood, you now have a chance to make a noise legitimately.

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