Pubdate: Sun, 02 Oct 2005
Source: Sunday Telegraph, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 News Limited
Contact:  http://www.sundaytelegraph.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/436
Author: Nick Papps, in Los Angeles
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Australia (Australia)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

AUSTRALIA'S DRUG SHAME REVEALED

AUSTRALIA is suffering an acute drug problem, according to an 
international report which found that the country has one of the 
highest rates of ecstasy and amphetamine abuse in the world.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration report, obtained under Freedom 
of Information, paints a grim picture of illegal drug use in Australia.

The report found that criminals are cultivating 5000ha of marijuana 
crops each year an area equivalent to more than 2500 Sydney Cricket 
Grounds and there are more than 200,000 heroin users in Australia.

The extent of Australia's cannabis cultivation and dependency on 
illegal substances is revealed in a new US intelligence report which 
has been obtained by The Sunday Telegraph.

The report also found that ecstasy manufacturers are using oil from 
the sassafras plant to make the drug, with increased seizure of the 
oil by customs and police officers.

Cocaine is currently being smuggled into Australia on flights from 
South America and cocaine importation is set to rise.

It states that inconsistent state laws on precursor chemicals is 
hindering the fight against drug makers.

The DEA Drug Situation Report for Australia says marijuana is 
Australia's "most popular and most abused illicit drug" and names NSW 
and Queensland as "the primary growing areas for outdoor 
cultivation", with South Australia, Victoria and the ACT also having 
outdoor plantations.

The report says that methamphetamine manufacturing in Australia is 
dominated by outlaw motorcycle gangs, with Queensland, NSW and South 
Australia being the primary production states.

And the report, compiled by the US Government's key drug-fighting 
agency, warns drug manufacturers in Australia are using a naturally 
occurring oil to make ecstasy.

It says that among the ingredients being used to make the drugs is 
oil from the sassafras plant.

"Australian law enforcement and customs officials are seizing 
increasing amounts of sassafras oil being smuggled through various 
ports of entry, such as Sydney and Melbourne. Sassafras oil produces 
safrole, which can be used as a precursor chemical in the manufacture 
of MDMA (ecstasy)," the report says.

The report, compiled in July, 2005 says the majority of cocaine is 
being smuggled into Australia "by couriers on flights originating in 
South America" and, once in Australia, cars and parcel post are used 
to distribute the drugs around the country.

"As trade links with South America and immigration to Australia 
increase, the opportunities for cocaine traffickers also increase," 
the report says.

"As the number of direct commercial airline flights between Australia 
and South America increase, so does the opportunity for courier smuggling."

South-east Asia is cited as the major source of heroin in Australia, 
with Sydney being the main point of entry through airports and 
shipping containers.

The report is based on intelligence gathered by the DEA in Canberra 
in liaison with local authorities and will be used by the DEA in the 
global fight against drug trafficking.

Australia's lack of uniform drug laws also attracts criticism in the 
DEA report. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake