Ice use, unheard of 10 years ago, has rocketed in Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong, with almost 200 offenders detected in 2016.
Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) reports that, statewide, methamphetamine offences have more than doubled, on average, each year over the past 11 years, while amphetamine and heroin offences have stayed about the same level.
Ice made up 0.1 per cent of all drug offences in 2006 but surged to make up 27 per cent this year.
Between 2006 and 2016, ice offences jumped from zero to 62 in Hobsons Bay and to 129 in Maribyrnong.
In the same period, amphetamine (speed) detections in Hobsons Bay dropped from 38 to six.
In Maribyrnong, they fell from a peak of 62 in 2012 to 16 in 2016.
Heroin offence detections in Maribyrnong also peaked in 2012 at 144, dropping to 61 in 2016. In Hobsons Bay, they rose slightly, from 10 in 2006 to 13 this year.
Hobsons Bay police’s Inspector Michelle Young said drops in certain drugs and expansion of some drugs may indicate the changing drug market.
“Drug statistics are usually detected offences so therefore any rise indicates that police are addressing this issue.”
The CSA research found heroin and methamphetamine offenders were likely to be over 25 when first detected.
Contact DirectLine’s 24-hour drug counselling service on 1800 888 236.
By Goya Dmytryshchak and Benjamin Millar
