Drug battle steps up

Busselton police say the town’s drug manufacturing levels are similar to Perth suburbs as officers report a daily fight against drug-related crime.

Last week’s police discovery of the third clandestine drug laboratory in Busselton since the start of the year and the seizure of a hydroponic setup to grow cannabis plants on Monday has fuelled concerns the demand for illicit drugs is on the rise, despite police efforts to target distribution points in the City.

“For a country town, the levels of clan lab activity is on par with a metropolitan area,” Senior Sergeant Steve Principe told the Times.

There were six drug laboratories uncovered in Busselton last year.

Sen. Sgt Principe said there were indications of high levels of methamphetamine use in the area, while cannabis was also widely used.

“We’ve had some success in detecting (the drug usage) and we are working hard to disrupt (the supply),” he said.

According to the latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey, published last year, WA recorded the highest rate of methamphetamine use nationally with 3.4 per cent of the population having used the drug in the past 12 months.

MATES Men’s Support Group convener Rob Reekie agreed methamphetamine was extremely prevalent in Busselton, while cannabis was still popular as “it is easily attainable.” Mr Reekie said almost everyone who came through MATES had some form of drug and alcohol problem.

“(The drug issue) is across the board, it’s not gender specific or specific to any socio-economic group,” he said.

Mr Reekie said there were insufficient services for drug users, and called for more State Government funding.

“A lot of money has been spent on letting people know about the problem, but not enough to fix it,” he said.

Sen. Sgt Principe said there was also anecdotal evidence suggesting drug usage was linked to much of the town’s crimes.

“A lot of the crimes we see are often used to support drug addictions, and illicit drugs can also be linked to juvenile offending,” he said.

WA Chem Centre, which responds to all drug labs detected in the State, said their resources were being stretched as a result of an increase in drug labs.

Communications manager Sarah Lau said there’s been a 40 per cent increase in labs detected to date, which has been spread across WA.

“(This) results in more travelling hours for our scientists as they assist Organised Crime officers,” she said.

Ms Lau warned the labs also created long-term problems even after they are dismantled.

“Many of the chemicals associated with drug labs can stay in a house and affect residents, even if the manufacturing equipment has been removed,” she said.

“ChemCentre is working with local and State Government agencies to provide the chemical testing and advice required to address this problem.”