Frankston City Council – Report on the Impact of Methamphetamine Availability. DRUGS Cultivation, Manufacture and Supply (2012/2013) Rate % Rate Per Rate Per Higher/ Offences Number 100k CAA Central Activities Area (CAA) 100k Lower recorded () Population Rank Population (than (Victoria) Victoria) Frankston 176 135 5,263 93 45 4 Whitehorse Council (Box Hill) 43 27 5,263 93 -71 7 Council (Broadmeadows) 180 101 5,263 93 9 5 Greater City of (Dandenong) 204 141 5,263 93 52 3 Maribyrnong (Footscray) 136 178 5,263 93 91 2 Geelong 125 58 5,263 93 93 1 Maroondah Ringwood 92 86 5,263 93 -8 6 DRUGS Possession and Use (2012 / 2013) Rate % Rate Per Number - Rate Per Higher/ Number 100k CAA Central Activities Area (CAA) in 100k Lower (Victoria) Population Rank thousands Population (than (Victoria) Victoria) Frankston 652 497 16,206 286 74 4 Whitehorse Council Box Hill 214 135 16,206 286 -53 7 Hume Council Broadmeadows 534 299 16,206 286 286 1 Greater City of Dandenong 789 544 16,206 286 90 2 Maribyrnong Footscray 388 506 16,206 286 77 3 Geelong 417 192 16,206 286 -33 5 Maroondah Ringwood 267 248 16,206 286 -13 6

Victoria Police Statistics - Frankston PSA 2011 - 2013 Drug Total Offences Recorded Offences 2011/2012 589 11,814 2012/2013 828 12,828 % 40.6 8.6 Increase

Impact of Methamphetamine in the City of Frankston

Background Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs. In low dosages, methamphetamine can increase alertness, concentration, and energy in fatigued individuals. In higher doses, it can induce mania with accompanying euphoria, feelings of self-esteem and increased libido.

Methamphetamine has a high potential for abuse and addiction, activating the psychological reward system by triggering a cascading release of dopamine in the brain characterized as Amphetamine/Stimulant psychosis.

Frankston City Council – Report on the Impact of Methamphetamine Availability. Chronic abuse may also lead to post-withdrawal syndrome, a result of methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity to dopaminergic neurons. Post-withdrawal syndrome can persist beyond the withdrawal period for months, and sometimes up to a year. In addition to psychological harm, physical harm – primarily consisting of cardiovascular damage – may occur with chronic use or acute overdose.

Nation Trend Data from the Australian Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) In 1998, the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (AGDHA) commissioned the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) to implement a national Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) aimed at monitoring emerging trends related to the use of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and cannabis in the Australian community.

The IDRS collects information on the use and market characteristics of three main forms of methamphetamine available in : speed, crystal methamphetamine (or ice), and base.

In 2012, 67% of IDRS participants reported recent use of methamphetamine, while 63% reported recent methamphetamine injection. The prevalence of recent crystal methamphetamine use did not change significantly from 2011 (53%) to 2012 (59%).

Local Impact

Law Enforcement In the past 12 months Frankston has experienced considerable law enforcement activity directly connected to the production, supply and use of Methamphetamine.

2012 – 2013 (to date) 85 Search Warrants 117 Offenders processed for trafficking offences 5 Clandestine laboratories detected $105M in precursor chemicals seized.

Frankston Police currently have a ‘tasking unit’ consisting of 1 Sergeant and 5 Detectives/Senior Constables with a primary charter to investigate drug manufacture and trafficking in the Police Service Area (PSA).

Of major concern is the danger that clandestine laboratories pose to the community.

The Australian Crime Commission’s Illicit Drug Data Report 2009-10 found that over 70 per cent of identified clandestine laboratories were found in residential areas during the reporting period.

Clandestine laboratories or ‘Clan Labs’ are used to covertly manufacture illicit drugs or their precursors. The Australian Crime Commission reports that a record 694 clan labs were detected in Australia during 2009-10. Over 70% of these were located in residential areas.

Chemicals used in Clan Labs are extremely volatile and can contaminate soil, water and air in close proximity. For every kilo of pure methamphetamine produced, up to 10 kilos of hazardous and toxic waste is created.

People exposed to these highly toxic environments, can develop a range of serious health problems, including respiratory problems, severe burns and ongoing psychological repercussions.

The potent mix of chemicals in a Clan Lab can prove fatal. A New Zealand study showed that children found in houses containing Clan Labs, are likely to be inhaling and absorbing the same levels of methamphetamine as adult drug users, and therefore may experience the same negative health affects, such as paranoia or insomnia.

Chemicals and toxic by-products can remain dangerous for years after the lab is shutdown. Frankston City Council – Report on the Impact of Methamphetamine Availability. There is a population of illicit drug users who think that their drug use hurts know one, illicit drug use affects more than just the user.

These illicit laboratories are often constructed in a manner that poses extreme fire and electrocution risks.

The resources required to detect, investigate and dismantle these laboratories is taking an exacting toll on finite Police resources.

Organised Crime in the Municipality The manufacture of Methamphetamine depends on the availability of base chemicals to produce the drug. These chemicals are referred to as Precursor Chemicals. The illicit importation and supply of these chemicals is strictly controlled by organised crime groups, often forming coalitions around the world.

The operation of clandestine laboratories is intrinsically linked with organised crime, in Australia most notably with Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG). These OMCG’s will violently enforce their operations and the ‘territory’ they operate within.

In the past 12 months it has been confirmed that 3 OMCG have established chapter houses in the municipality, with Police intelligence indicating they have considerable ‘business’ interests in the area that includes tattoo parlors, garages and licensed premises.

Related Crime Trends Traditional indicators of the presence and often type of drug in a City, is often displayed through its underlying Crime trends.

Increased reporting of offences against the person, such as robbery, bag thefts and assault are always present where there is vibrant drug culture, whether in order to pay for drugs and enforce debts. Certainly some of the local trend data would support this assertion i.e. firearms and weapon offences experiencing a 73.7% increase.

Interestingly some of the traditional crime trends have reduced in the City for the period of 2012/2013, most notably robbery (-23%) and aggravated burglary (-34.3%)

Health Resource Implications Frankston is experiencing increasing demands on its specialist health services. The City centre houses 7 pharmacotherapy outlets and a needle exchange program (SHARPS). Figures provided by SHARPS indicate that they issue close to 1M needles per annum through its static and outreach facility.

The true impact of Methamphetamine on health and law enforcement is proving difficult to identify. For instance Police crime statistics do not delineate types of substances seized or trafficked. The only true indicator available at the moment is the seizure levels of precursor chemicals – essential to the manufacture of Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) such as Methamphetamine.

Public Safety and Safety Perceptions Frankston has run a longitudinal Public Safety Survey for the last 7 years, supported by a more in depth study by Sydney University Institute of Criminology in 2011.

The Sydney Survey explored a variety of issues surrounding the delivery of Specialist Drug Services in the City.

When asked about perceptions of safety in the City during the day. The following groups responded _ • Shoppers 74% • Non-shoppers 64% • Traders 68% • Health and Welfare Clients 54%

Frankston City Council – Report on the Impact of Methamphetamine Availability. The Survey revealed that the health and welfare client group were most likely to have experienced recent events. 26% experiencing an event such as theft, robbery or assault in the past two months.

When the broader question as to how these concerns over public safety could be addressed, first and foremost was the need for more Police and security. Secondly, the need to relocate or remove specific health and welfare services from the City Centre most notably SHARPS and pharmacotherapy.

Summary Frankston City is the 8th most disadvantaged Local Government Area (LGA) of the 79 in Victoria scoring 996.5 in the SEIFA index of disadvantage.

In 2010/2011 Frankston was the population of Benzodiazepine, antidepressant, antipsychotic related ambulance attendances in metro .

Frankston replaced Darebin as the LGA with the highest population of Opioid analgesic related attendances in 2010/2011.

Methadone has been used in the treatment of heroin addiction in Australia for about 30 years, although is use has radically changed. Methadone is regulated and available from approved doctors on prescription. Treatment centers commit clients to a routine of regular visits to the retail sector of the city where they are located.

Typical visits to the City by users of these services will involve trips to welfare support institutions such as City Life for meals.

Frankston has a population that has traditionally displayed a vulnerability to accessible drugs whether they be prescription or illicit.

With an influx of organized crime groups, and a sharp increase in drug offences there is empirical evidence that Frankston is in danger of a serious rise in Methamphetamine use and related crime.

Peter Murphy Manager, Compliance & Safety Frankston City Council.