National crackdown on the illicit drug trade “Say Something” Day – Friday 19 November 2010.
Law enforcement agencies across Australia, and all state and territory Crime Stoppers programs have joined forces in a nationwide offensive against illegal drugs.
People are being asked to ring the Crime Stoppers hot line on “Say Something” Day – Friday 19 November - if they have any information about the importation, manufacture and distribution of illicit drugs, particularly amphetamines.
This is the first time police and Crime Stoppers have adopted a single national approach to fighting drugs.
“We know the excellent results we have enjoyed over the years in encouraging the community to ring Crime Stoppers with information on criminal activity,” said Nick Anticich, Assistant Commissioner Specialist Crime, Western Australia Police.
“It was our view that if Crime Stoppers and police collaborated nationally on a well coordinated campaign on a priority crime we could be even more effective.
“While the focus on this campaign will be on amphetamines, we urge the community to give Crime Stoppers information on any illicit drug related activity. Today, we see more and more clandestine laboratories emerging with some quite sophisticated factory type operations, however, there’s an
increasing trend in small, literally “backyard”, set ups. Naturally, many of these laboratories are dangerous due to the volatility of the chemicals being used,” Mr Anticich said.
Current Australian Crime Commission data places the cost of illicit drugs in Australia at over $10 billion annually in social costs, which includes the cost of hospitalisation and rehabilitation from public violence, death and injury, including lost days at work. Added to this is the actual cost of the illicit drugs themselves.
In Western Australia, the cost to the people of this state is more than a billion dollars each year.
If you have any information about any illicit drug related activity call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Calls to Crime Stoppers are completely anonymous.
