Methamphetamine use in Australia

Under Australia's law, methamphetamine is a Schedule 8 drug, available for medical use but restricted in manufacture, supply, and possession[1]. The drug is sought after by many in Australia to give oneself a ‘high’ or a ‘rush’ in their body.[2] Methamphetamine has many names not only in Australia, but also around the world. These include Chalk, Crypto, Gear, Getgo, Tweak, and Cristy, although the two most common ones in Australia today are Speed and Ice.[3] Users of this drug often feel senses of exhilaration and arousal as the brain is flooded with monoamines.

Chemical compound make up of Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine was synthesized in Japan in 1893 from the drug ephedrine;[4] and since then has changed into a variety of different forms.[4] Australia has a drug scene which is increasing with the demand for drugs like methamphetamine since the start of 2000. As of April 2017, Australia has the highest methamphetamine addiction rate in the world.[5]

History

Methamphetamine was first synthesized in Japan by the chemist Nagai Nagayoshi;[4] however, it did not come into prominent public view until the early 1990s when the Australian Federal Police (AFP) was warned of a new drug called "Ice" coming from overseas. During 1991, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia pooled their resources together to seize 80 kilograms of the methamphetamine drug which was believed to be manufactured in China.[6]

Since the late 1990s, the amount of amphetamine type stimulants and crystal methamphetamine found by the Australian Customs has been increasing, to 1075 kilograms of amphetamine-type stimulants detected at the border in 2011, an increase from the 71 kilograms found in 1997.[7] Today, the drug is in high demand all across Australia, and with this the authorities have been seizing large quantities on a regular basis.

During November 2014, the AFP successfully intercepted and seized Australia’s second largest drug bust which weighed in at 2.8 tonnes, which included 1.917 tonnes of MDMA and 849 kilograms of methamphetamine.[8] This made the bust be the largest methamphetamine seizure and the second largest MDMA bust by the AFP[8] since the first seizure in 1997.[6]

Legislation, policies and punishments
Western Australia New South Wales VictoriaTasmania
Amount in grams to be charged with possession of a prohibited substanceOver 4.0 grams [9]Over 3.0 grams [10]Over 0.75 grams [11]N/A**
Amount in grams to be charged with intent to sell and supply a prohibited substanceOver 2.0 grams [9]N/A**N/A**N/A**
Amount in grams to be charged with the intent of trafficking a prohibited substanceOver 2.0 grams [12]Over 3.0 grams[12]Over 3.0 grams[12]Over 25.0 grams[12]

** Information in regards to selling and supply also, possession of a classified substance is classed differently in each state. Some have small trafficable quantities, trafficable, large trafficable and commercial trafficable quantities as legislative policies.

Western Australia New South WalesVictoriaTasmania
Penalties after prosecution of being charged with possession of a prohibited substance2 Years Maximum Imprisonment and / or $2,000 fine [9]2 Years Maximum Imprisonment[10]1 Year Maximum Imprisonment[11]2 Years Maximum Imprisonment[13]
Penalties after successful prosecution of being charged with sell and supply a prohibited substance5 Years Maximum Imprisonment and / or $20,000 [9]N/A***N/A***4 Years Maximum Imprisonment[13]
Penalties after successful prosecution of being charged with trafficking a prohibited substance25 Years Maximum Imprisonment and / or $100,000 fine [9]15 Years Maximum Imprisonment [10]15 Years Maximum Imprisonment [11] 21 Years maximum Imprisonment[13]

*** Intent to sell and supply comes under trafficking laws in some states in Australia depending upon the amount of prohibited substance.

Usage
Homemade meth bong, another way which drug users get a 'high'.

Between 2009 and 2010 there were 41,087 illicit drug offenses in Australia. Between 2013 and 2014 this number increased by over 25 percent to 50,854 drug offenses;[14] furthermore, drug use increased from 22,842 to 28,409 over the same period of time.[14] This portrays an increasing trend in the amount of drug use in Australia and drug offenses. However, since methamphetamine has become more available in the drug scene in Australia, it has developed and stronger forms of methamphetamine such as Crystal Methamphetamine has in turn increased in the usages over the past decade.[15] In studies conducted by the Australian Government, between 1998 and 2010 there has been a slight decrease in the methamphetamine drug use in Australia;[16] furthermore, between 2007 and 2010 methamphetamine use in males decreased from 9.8% to 6.8%.[16] Since 2007, the trend has decreased in association to drug use with methamphetamine; however, after 2010 the trend according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate an increase in drug use and drug offenses occurring in Australia.[14]

Risk groups

Methamphetamine use is an increasing problem in Australia, as it becomes more readily available. In a study of injecting drug users, 53% of a group of 914 candidates reported that methamphetamine was their first drug injected into their bodies; however, the study continued to convey the point that it is a young adults' drug.[17] During the last six months, 87% of injecting drug users under the age of 25 were reported to have used methamphetamine in the last 6 months, with 25 to 35-year-olds at 80% and 35 years and above at 74%.[17]

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported that males were more likely than females to use methamphetamine (8.2% to 5.9% respectively) and 20- to 29-year-olds were most likely to have used methamphetamine recently.[16] The study also found, for people aged 14 years or older, the highest level of recent methamphetamine use was found among those who stated they were homosexual/bisexual (7.1%).[16] Methamphetamine use was also high among unemployed people (4.8%), those who had never been married (3.8%) and single people without children (3.4%).[16]

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See also

References
  1. Health. "Poisons Standard February 2019". www.legislation.gov.au. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  2. Healey, Justin (2014). Drug Law Reform Debate. Spinney Press. ISBN 9781922084583.
  3. "Watch Truth About Drugs Documentary Video & Learn About Substance Addiction. Get The Facts About Painkillers, Marijuana, Cocaine, Meth & Other Illegal Drugs".
  4. Grobler, SR; Chikte, U; Westraat, J (2011). "The pH Levels of Different Methamphetamine Drug Samples on the Street Market in Cape Town". ISRN Dentistry. 2011: 974768. doi:10.5402/2011/974768. PMC 3189445. PMID 21991491.
  5. "Australia is flailing in the face of a meth epidemic". The Economist. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  6. "Four Corners - 20/03/2006: Chronology: The Emergence of Methamphetamine in Australia".
  7. "Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS)" (PDF).
  8. "Police seize 2.8 tonnes of drugs in Australia's second largest bust". 29 November 2014.
  9. "MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT 1981".
  10. http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/xref/inforce/?xref=Type%3Dact%20AND%20Year%3D1985%20AND%20no%3D226&nohits=y
  11. http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/LTObjSt5.nsf/0/652e75ad1b785534ca257789000756c4/$FILE/81-9719a091.pdf
  12. http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/LRDCPC/Tabling_Documents/Inquiry_into_Methamphetamine_text_Vol_02.pdf
  13. "Tasmanian Legislation Online".
  14. "Main Features - Key findings". 28 February 2019.
  15. Degenhardt, L; Roxburgh, A; Black, E; Bruno, R; Campbell, G; Kinner, S; Fetherston, J (2008). "The epidemiology of methamphetamine use and harm in Australia". Drug and Alcohol Review. 27 (3): 243–52. doi:10.1080/09595230801950572. PMID 18368605.
  16. "Reports & data".
  17. Degenhardt, Louisa; Kinner, Stuart A.; Roxburgh, Amanda; Black, Emma; Bruno, Raimondo; Fetherston, James; Fry, Craig L. (1 July 2008). "Drug use and risk among regular injecting drug users in Australia: does age make a difference?". Drug Alcohol Rev. 27 (4): 357–360. doi:10.1080/09595230701750643. PMID 18584384.
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