THE ILLICIT DRUG SITUATION IN AUSTRALIA
Introduction
The Australian experience with the use of illicit drugs is that abuse has continued to expand over the past decade despite law enforcement efforts, public health measures and public education programs. This expansion has brought with it the attendant problems of increasing criminal activity including money laundering.
2.
Cannabis remains the most widely spread drug of abuse to the extent that one state, South Australia, has decriminalised the possession of small, personal use quantities. The Australian Capital Territory is also considering similar legislation. Cannabis is available in most forms although the leaf products seem to be the most favoured. Cannabis is imported by many routes, in widely varying quantities from many countries. While a lot of cannabis is grown in Australia it is not possible to quantify how much is available from domestic production and how much is imported.
3.
After cannabis, amphetamines are the most abused illicit drugs in Australia. Their use has continued to spread in past years aided by the fact that most amphetamines available in this country are domestically manufactured. Australia has been fortunate in that one of the more exotic amphetamine derivatives know as "ice" (or "shabu" in the Philippines) has not been detected to date. Current trends in the manufacture, distribution and use of amphetamine and methylamphetamine, however, suggest that amphetamine manufacture and abuse will continue to be a problem in Australia.
4.
Increased world opium and heroin production pose the threat of increases in availability of heroin in Australia. To date this threat of increased supplies and use has not been identified by the classic indicators. The levels of co- operation or fighting among criminal groups, hospital admissions for drug overdose, increased purity, increased numbers of arrests or a lowering of prices. have yet to indicate changes in the patterns of heroin trafficking and use within the country.
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