The latest figures on Methamphetamine usage have been released from April 2017 and this shows a decline in the State. Importantly the figures also show that Kalgoorlie Boulder is now the meth capital for WA. This title has been previously with Bunbury.
There is a good twist to this and that is that even as Kalgoorlie Boulder now has the unwanted number one spot it is one that seems it wont last as the City has recorded significant falls.
Testing has come from Raw Sewerage that has measured the concentration of methamphetamine in samples. Although the tests show declines, the authorities are cautious in their approach and will still remain as vigilant and strict as ever with their war against drugs and Meth in particular.
Figures as follows:
· Test results from November 2016, February 2017 and April 2017 each showed double
digit decreases in meth use in Perth, Bunbury and Kalgoorlie.
· For Perth the meth use levels were down 22.6% in November 2016, -23.4% in
February 2017 and -10.8% in April 2017.
· For Bunbury the meth use levels were down 26.7% in November 2016, -27.1% in
February 2017 and -11.8% in April 2017.
· Testing commenced in Kalgoorlie in November 2016 and results were down 17.8% in
February 2017 and -12.2% in April 2017.
· Meth usage in Kalgoorlie in April 2017 was 14.4% higher than in the Bunbury
catchment during the same test period.
“From a policing perspective we have had considerable success, in tandem with our Federal
partners, in interrupting supply, and in 2015/16 and 2016/17 we have so far intercepted
approximately 890 kilograms of meth headed for our streets,” Acting Assistant
Commissioner Pryce Scanlan said.
“It could be that the major trafficking syndicates may not be viewing WA as such a soft
target after those losses.
“And the theory that WA’s mining boom and the high disposable incomes it created
contributed to our high rate of meth use in the past could, if true, be working in reverse with
the end of the boom.”
