Illicit Drugs and Other Harms

Police encounter a wide range of illicit drug-related harms and problems. Health problems include fatal and non-fatal overdoses. Crime problems include drug trafficking, property and violent crime, domestic violence, drug driving, child abuse and neglect, and drug facilitated sexual assault. Each of these crime problems can be associated with health problems, including injury (resulting, for example, from violence, drug driving, or child abuse) and mental health problems (resulting, for example, from child neglect or sexual assault).

Problems around or in public amenities include public intoxication, loitering to buy or sell drugs, and discarding drug use equipment in public places. Different drugs are associated with different problems, so patterns of use influence the nature of the problems police encounter. For example, high levels of heroin use can be associated with drug overdoses and property crime; high levels of amphetamine or cocaine use have been associated with psychosis and aggression.

For more information relating to the role of police in preventing illicit drug use-related harm, click here.

 

Illicit Drugs and Driving

Drugs make driving extremely dangerous as they affect an individual's ability to assess risks, as well as their vision and judgement. On average, between 2003 and 2007, 24% of drivers or riders killed in South Australia tested positive to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound in cannabis), Methylamphetamine (commonly known as speed, ice or crystal meth) or MDMA (3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine also known as ecstasy) or a combination of these.

It is an offence for an individual to drive or attempt to drive a motor vehicle with THC, Methylamphetamine or MDMA present in their oral fluid or blood.

For information about illicit drugs and driving, visit the MAC website.

For information about alcohol and driving, click here.

 

Illicit Drug Use and Health-Related Harms

For further information relating to treatment for illicit drug use in South Australia, click here or call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on 1300 131 340.