By ANEEKA SIMONIS
VIOLENT crime and family violence are being fuelled by increasing access to drugs on Cardinia Shire streets, according to police.
In the past 12 months, police recorded a 57 per cent increase in drug use and possession in Cardinia shire – with 328 offences recorded between April 2014 and March 2015 compared with 203 offences in the previous year.
Within the space of five years, the drug epidemic has more than tripled, blowing out by 249 per cent since April 2010.
Senior Sergeant Nathan Prowd of Pakenham police said drug demands have changed in recent years with more users opting for amphetamine-based substances such as ice.
“Instead of heroin-based substances, we are finding more amphetamine-based substances. Cannabis use seems to have remained relatively stable,” he said.
While the rising figures in part reflect Cardinia shire’s vastly growing population, police believe recorded increases indicate growing accessibility of drugs.
“It may be reflective of the ease of sourcing drugs but it may also be a symptom of the growing population,” he said.
Drug dealing and trafficking offences also jumped in the past 12 months, but only by 11 per cent compared with the five year recorded increase of 225 per cent.
The recent increase in drug availability in the shire, particularly in Pakenham, was highlighted by a former ice addict who described local streets as being “flooded” with the addictive drug.
The mother of four told the Gazette last year that she started using ice seven years ago and in that time,
She said that when she started she had to drive for an hour and a half to get her supply. Now she simply has to walk out her front door.
“When I first started using with my then partner around seven years ago, it wasn’t easily available,” the woman, who did not wish to be named, said.
“It wasn’t in your face all the time like it is now.
“Toward the end of our relationship two years ago, it was everywhere.
“It went from being one dealer per five people who use to maybe four dealers per every five users.
“It’s affordable and it’s flooding Pakenham – we had access 24/7.
Sen Sgt Prowd said increasing drug offences are a concern for police.
“They do create a flow-on effect in terms of volume crimes, violent crimes and family violence incidents,” he said.
According to council figures, more than 90,300 residents are expected to call Cardinia shire home by the end of 2015.
It’s a significant jump from 2013 when the population hovered around 83,700.
He said an increasing number of officers staffed through the Cardinia unit are targeting patrols to wipe out drugs and related criminal activity.
“By tasking our members effectively, we are finding and detecting more people,” he said.
