Report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into crystal methamphetamine and other amphetamine-type stimulants 1001 1002 Report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into crystal methamphetamine and other amphetamine-type stimulants Report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into crystal methamphetamine and other amphetamine-type stimulants 1003 1004 Report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into crystal methamphetamine and other amphetamine-type stimulants Table of Contents Introduction to the Inquiry’s regional hearings ......................................................... 1011 References ......................................................................................................... 1013 Chapter 23. The Lismore region ................................................................................. 1015 Introduction to the Lismore region ................................................................... 1015 Lismore’s experience with ATS ......................................................................... 1016 Use of crystal methamphetamine by people involved in the justice system ........... 1016 Presentations to health services ........................................................................... 1016 Other service providers’ observations about increases in ATS use ....................... 1017 Who is using crystal methamphetamine? ............................................................. 1017 Availability of ATS ................................................................................................ 1018 Impacts of ATS use in the Lismore region ....................................................... 1018 Impact on crime and violence ............................................................................... 1019 Impact on health services ..................................................................................... 1020 Impact on other services ...................................................................................... 1021 Impact on children and families ............................................................................ 1021 Impact on Aboriginal people ................................................................................. 1022 Impact on the LGBTQI+ community ..................................................................... 1022 Local responses to ATS .................................................................................... 1023 Opportunities to strengthen local responses ................................................... 1025 The need for improved access to treatment .......................................................... 1025 The need to improve diversionary programs ......................................................... 1026 Need to support people leaving correctional facilities ........................................... 1028 References ......................................................................................................... 1030 Chapter 24. The Nowra region .................................................................................... 1035 Introduction to the Nowra region ...................................................................... 1035 Nowra’s experience with ATS ............................................................................ 1035 Increasing use of crystal methamphetamine ......................................................... 1035 Increasing presentations to health services .......................................................... 1036 Other service providers’ observations about increase in ATS use ........................ 1036 Who is using crystal methamphetamine? ............................................................. 1037 Impacts of ATS use in the Nowra region .......................................................... 1037 Impact on crime and violence ............................................................................... 1037 Impact on health services ..................................................................................... 1038 Housing and homelessness ................................................................................. 1040 Impact on children and families ............................................................................ 1042 Impact on Aboriginal people ................................................................................. 1043 Local response to ATS ...................................................................................... 1044 Opportunities to strengthen local responses ................................................... 1046 References ......................................................................................................... 1049 Chapter 25. The Dubbo region .................................................................................... 1053 Introduction to the Dubbo region ...................................................................... 1053 Dubbo’s experience with ATS ........................................................................... 1054 Report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into crystal methamphetamine and other amphetamine-type stimulants 1005 Increase in ATS use among young people in contact with the criminal justice system ................................................................................................................. 1054 Increase in presentations to health services ......................................................... 1054 Who is using crystal methamphetamine in Dubbo? .............................................. 1055 Impacts of ATS use in the Dubbo region .......................................................... 1056 Impact on crime ................................................................................................... 1056 Comorbidities ....................................................................................................... 1057 Treatment challenges ........................................................................................... 1057 References ......................................................................................................... 1067 Chapter 26. The East Maitland region ........................................................................ 1071 Introduction to the East Maitland region .......................................................... 1071 East Maitland’s experience with ATS ................................................................ 1072 Increasing use of crystal methamphetamine ......................................................... 1072 Use of crystal methamphetamine by people in contact with the justice system ..... 1072 Increasing health presentations ............................................................................ 1073 Crystal methamphetamine use by pregnant women ............................................. 1075 Children’s experience of ATS ............................................................................... 1075 Impacts of ATS use in the East Maitland region .............................................. 1076 Impact on crime ................................................................................................... 1076 Impact on health services ..................................................................................... 1077 Impact on children and families ............................................................................ 1078 Local responses ................................................................................................. 1079 Opportunities to strengthen local responses ................................................... 1084 References ......................................................................................................... 1088 Chapter 27. The Broken Hill region ............................................................................ 1093 Introduction to the Broken Hill region .............................................................. 1093 Broken Hill’s experience with ATS .................................................................... 1094 Increase in ATS use ............................................................................................. 1095 Increasing presentations to health services .......................................................... 1095 Methods of administering ATS ............................................................................. 1096 ATS use related to specific occupations ............................................................... 1097 Impacts of ATS use in the Broken Hill region .................................................. 1097 Impact on crime ................................................................................................... 1097 Pressure on health services ................................................................................. 1097 Impacts on families .............................................................................................. 1098 Impacts on communities ....................................................................................... 1099 Housing and homelessness ................................................................................. 1099 Cultural impacts ................................................................................................... 1100 Local responses ................................................................................................. 1101 Opportunities to strengthen local responses