I also remember the heroin toll in the Herald Sun. If I remember it was no where near as high as the road toll. I imagine heroin deaths are much lower now or may involve the use of other depressant type substances.
I believe heroin quality reflects on the overall quantity available in OZ and how many hands it passes through before your needle pokes it, but I’m no economist.
Looking at the ACC 08-09 illegal drug report, clearly shows a slight growing trend. Also shows Burma's production at nowhere near what it was 10yrs ago and Afghanistan’s off the chart. Seems majority of our heroin still comes from Asia.
http://www.crimecommission.gov.au/publications/iddr/_files/2008_09/IDDR%200809%20FINAL.pdf
Anyone got other links to other more recent illicit drug figures or more heroin specific related articles on opium cultivation & seizures abroad?
OT
Back in 1998ish, my first time on Russel St every bloke I walked past was calling me Jason.

I had no idea at the time what was going on.
Not long after, a lot of my school mates and some very close friends got caught up in what was the heroin street trade within our area, one the predominant areas located in S.E. Suburbs. For the next 5 years or more I'd always see one of them at Footscray, Russel, Box Hill and our home suburb.
As mobile phones became mainstream I saw my acquaintances less and less. All did jail time at least twice, many didn’t get out of this scene until the heroin supply in OZ dried up much later.
This group I talk of were all from different backgrounds, ages and opportunity. Such a vicious circle is that of heroin for many people.
Most of them now all seem to be well past it.