International drug syndicates will be put under further pressure and the community better protected from the scourge of Ice under the Australian Federal Police’s International Engagement Methamphetamine Disruption Strategy that I have released today.
This strategy will see enhanced co-operation between Australian Government agencies and our regional and global partners as we work to stop the trafficking of methamphetamine.
Proportionally, Australia uses more Ice than almost any other country in the world, but through the National Ice Action Strategy we are cracking down on the supply and use of this destructive and dangerous drug.
The Australian Government is taking the lead in creating a national approach to this problem.
“We have invested $300 million to improve treatment, after care, education, prevention and community engagement to tackle ice,” said Michael Keenan, Minister for Justice.
“The recently released wastewater drug monitoring report showed that our approach is paying dividends: Ice use was on the decline and our record investment is putting a major dent in the scourge of Ice in Australia. But there is always more to be done,” said Keenan.
“The Turnbull Government is tackling the supply of ice through increased international cooperation, enhanced intelligence sharing, better controls of precursor chemicals and greater law enforcement efforts to prevent Ice reaching our shores.
“The Strategy we release today is an important measure for strengthening international engagement, with a focus on disrupting the supply of methamphetamine at its source.”
“Make no mistake: the Coalition Government will continue to use every weapon in our arsenal to break the business models of drug dealers and organised crime gangs that rely and thrive on the profits of illicit drugs.”
Taskforce Blaze is an example of the effectiveness of this international cooperation, with Australian and Chinese authorities stopping 13 tonnes of drugs, including 6 tonnes of methamphetamine, from reaching Australias streets.