Presentation Transcript

1. Youth Projects Roundtable Discussion

   Is there a methamphetamine ‘ice’ epidemic in our area? If so, Why? Who? And Where? What needs to be done?
2. Committee process 3September 2013, Victorian Parliament’s Law Reform, Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee commissioned to undertake an inquiry into the supply and use of methamphetamines, particularly ‘ice’. Report no later than 31 August 2014”
3. Committee Members Mr Simon Ramsay MLC Western Victoria – Chair (Liberal) Mr Johan Scheffer MLC Eastern Victoria (Labor) Mr David Southwick MLA Caulfield (Liberal) Mr Tim McCurdy MLA Murray Valley (National) Mr Ben Carroll MLA Niddrie (Labor) Staff Ms Sandy Cook – Executive Officer Mr Justin Elder – Committee Administration Officer
4. Terms of Reference Examine the channels of supply of methamphetamine including direct importation and local manufacture of final product and raw constituent chemical precursors and ingredients; Examine the supply and distribution of methamphetamine and links to organised crime organisations including outlaw motorcycle gangs; Examine the nature, prevalence and culture of methamphetamine use in Victoria, particularly amongst young people, indigenous people and those who live in rural areas; Examine the links between methamphetamine use and crime, in particular crimes against the person; Examine the short and long term consequences of methamphetamine use; Examine the relationship of methamphetamine use to other forms of illicit and licit substances; Review the adequacy of past and existing state and federal strategies for dealing with methamphetamine use; Consider best practice strategies to address methamphetamine use and associated crime, including regulatory, law enforcement, education and treatment responses (particularly for groups outlined above).
5. Inquiry objectives Inquiry seeks to examine nature of the methamphetamine market in Victoria: how drugs are used, harmful effects, and involvement of organised crime in their manufacture and distribution. Inquiry also seeks to review prevention and control strategies in place at both the Federal and State level to address problem
6. Background to inquiry 2010 survey, more than 7% of Australians aged 14 and over indicated they had used amphetamines at some stage in their lifetime and 2% had used amphetamines in the past 12 months (2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey Report by Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) Increase in number young recreational drug users smoking crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’ or ‘shard’) (Australian Crime Commission) Heroin shortage in Australia in 2000-01 saw increase in use of methamphetamine
7. AMPHETAMINES: TYPE/FORM/ADMINISTRATION
8. Methamphetamine(ice) Methamphetamine hydrochloride or Crystal methamphetamine Most purified and potent form of methamphetamine Synthetic central nervous system stimulant In crystallised sheet form –like shards of ice or glass Terminology/slang – much crossover and interchange ability Crystal meth, ice, shabu, glass and tina most common.
9. Composition (ice) Similar in composition and structure to amphetamine Methyl molecule added to amphetamine molecule Purity 80 per cent compared to 10 to 20 per cent for ‘speed’ In purest form translucent or white, less potent forms coloured In Australia combination of imported and made in clandestine laboratories Manufacturing process changing with new precursor chemicals since more stringent pharmaceutical regulation targeted ephedrine and pseudoephedrine Traditional precursors being replaced with alternate precursors currently not under (international) control Law needs to adapt to changing recipes
10. ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION Methamphetamines can be: Swallowed Snorted Smoked (glass pipes, cut light globes) Inhaled ( heated on foil - ‘Chasing’) Injected
11. ‘POSITIVE’ EFFECTS ‘High’ obtained quicker – almost instantaneous, more intense and longer lasting than other forms of amphetamine Euphoria, exhilaration, hyper energy and (sexual) arousal Appetite suppressant Value for money – intense long lasting rush for relatively low price Used socially and occasionally by groups of friends (sharing pipes like sharing bongs - ‘middle class’ use)
12. ‘Short term’ effects Increased heart and breathing rate Trembling hands and fingers High blood pressure Overheating and excessive sweating Stomach cramps Blurred vision Bad headaches Dizziness Difficulty sleeping Reduced appetite Irritability and hostility Hallucinations Paranoia Immediate Psychosis Panic attacks Out of control aggression Itching, picking, scratching skin.
13. ‘LONG TERM’ CONSEQUENCES Paranoia Increased risk of stroke High risk of tolerance and dependence (addiction) Chronic sleep problems Blood-borne infections (like hepatitis C and HIV) through needle sharing Malnutrition and Anorexia Heart, lung and kidney problems Depression Loss of ability to make decisions Brain damage (including possible reduced memory function and loss) Dental problems (from grinding teeth) Lung damage (from smoking ice) Damage to the lining of the nose (from snorting ice) Irritability, aggression, hostility Amphetamine psychosis, including hallucinations, paranoid delusions and unusual behaviour. Scarring, abscesses and vein damage (from injecting ice). Using ice while pregnant can have adverse effects/foetal abnormalities.
14. OTHER CONSEQUENCES Often used in association with other drugs (poly drug use) – increasing overdose and other risk factors However compared to heroin less likely to result in death Risky sexual behaviour (STDs /pregnancy) High incidence of short and long term mental health problems (people with schizophrenia particularly likely to have psychotic episodes after use) Legal, financial, employment, social and relationship consequences Public health dangers due to clandestine laboratories Burden on health and law enforcement systems
15. CRIME AND VIOLENCE Violent behaviour of a variety of users has caused alarm Extreme examples cited in media Nature of links with violence contentious and inconclusive Evidence that ‘ice’ will not necessarily induce violence but may exacerbate it in those predisposed to violence Violent behaviour more likely when used in conjunction with alcohol and/or other drugs Is however fairly strong evidence linking (heavy/habitual) ice use to crime, particularly ‘dealing’ and acquisitive crimes. Contrast this picture with the ‘social’ and ‘recreational’ occasional user often from a middle class or professional background
16. TREATMENT OPTIONS Fewer treatment options compared to other drugs including heroin High rates of relapse Poor treatment engagement rates Ongoing withdrawal and possibly psychosis problems for some highly addicted individuals Dexamphetamine substitution therapy contentious but showing some promise (cf methadone for heroin) Multiple approaches needed including pharmacotherapies, and counselling/education etc and managing ancillary problems such as depression and sleep deprivation