Women lead in 'ice' use
July 08, 2007 12:15am
THE level of methamphetamine use among people detained by police in Adelaide is among the highest in the country, with women outstripping men in use of the drug.
National crime data reveals that Adelaide has the nation's second highest rate of methamphetamine use and the highest level of cannabis use among police detainees. And the women used almost twice as much methamphetamine as the men, according to the Australian Institute of Criminology.
The biggest increase in methamphetamine use was among women in Adelaide's northern suburbs, with a 10 per cent jump from 2002 to 2006.
AIC figures show the percentage of women detained at the Elizabeth police station testing positive to methamphetamine had soared from 35 per cent to 47 per cent and cannabis from 55 per cent to 67 per cent. But overall, the number of detainees testing positive to methamphetamine between 2005 to 2006 had fallen.
Crystal meth, the rock form of methamphetamine – more commonly known as ice – has been blamed on an increase in violent crimes and mental health problems.
The figures were revealed by a survey of 4555 detainees across Australia and based on voluntary urine samples and interviews.
In Adelaide, 1350 detainees were interviewed at the Adelaide City Watch House and the Elizabeth police station.
AIC senior research analyst Dr Jenny Mouzos said it was a pattern that females were more likely to test positive to drugs compared to males.
"That is certainly borne out in other research that has been done," she said.
"They are also more likely to be involved in other types of crime, not necessarily violent, but property crime, sexual offences such as prostitution."
The report, released this month, also found:
NATIONALLY, methamphetamine use had stabilised after rising steadily for years and remains most heavily used by people aged under 30.
ICE was the preferred amphetamine used by both sexes.
A THIRD of detainees found it harder to obtain their preferred form of amphetamine/speed in the last 12 months and 26 per cent reported a price increase.
A THIRD of detainees reported that offences committed in the previous 12 months were related to amphetamine use.
No Pokies MP and former executive officer of Drugbeat SA, Ann Bressington, said she was not surprised by the 10 per cent increase in methamphetamine use among women detained by police.
"It has been a trend that it is women who are most likely to use it and use it longer than men – we simply aren't doing enough to get people into treatment," she said.
"In about 10 years' time, we are going to end up with people with severe health and mental health problems, their children will be affected and the entire health system will implode."
She said the State Government had contributed "nothing" in the Budget to fund non-government drug and alcohol organisations.
Drugbeat SA chief executive Eric Faschingbauer said the northern suburbs needed more rehabilitation services, adding that his organisation was turning clients away.
"We have been lobbying the State Government for some more staff to meet the demand, as there is nowhere else for these people to go," he said.
He said that in the latest intake of 18 clients, 75 per cent were female. Substance Abuse Minister Gail Gago said any increase in methamphetamine use was a concern.
"The State Government recognises the considerable contribution made by the non-government organisations that deliver services across the drug and alcohol sector and has provided significant funding in the 2007/08 State Budget," she said.
"We have maintained a commitment of more than $3.2 million to NGOs to provide drug and alcohol services in 2007/08."
