Lexi Webster
Australia has the highest methamphetamine addiction rate in the world, with the drug being the most popular illicit substance in the country. In 2022, Australian authorities intercepted 1,800 kg of methamphetamine, known as ice, in Sydney, the country's biggest bust of the drug to date. The drug is manufactured in North America, Southeast Asia, and locally in Australia, with the Australian Crime Commission reporting an increase in clandestine labs detected in the country.
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What You'll Learn
Methamphetamine's arrival in Australia
Methamphetamine was first synthesised in Japan in 1893 by the chemist Nagai Nagayoshi. However, it did not come into prominent public view in Australia until the early 1990s when the Australian Federal Police (AFP) were warned of a new drug called "Ice" coming from overseas. During 1991, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia collaborated to seize 80 kilograms of methamphetamine, believed to be manufactured in China. Since then, the amount of amphetamine-type stimulants and crystal methamphetamine found by Australian Customs has been increasing, from 71 kilograms in 1997 to 1,075 kilograms in 2011.
In the mid-2000s, crystal meth or "ice" became a significant factor in Australia's illicit drug scene. The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) classes crystal meth as an "imminent threat" due to increased seizures worldwide, particularly in East and Southeast Asia. Acting ACC head Paul Jevtovic described crystal meth as a "national concern", comparing it to the crack cocaine scourge in the United States in the 1980s.
Australia has seen a growing demand for drugs like methamphetamine since the start of the 2000s. As of April 2017, Australia had the highest methamphetamine addiction rate in the world. The drug is sought after for its ability to induce a 'high' or 'rush' and feelings of exhilaration and arousal. Methamphetamine is also known for its potential for recreational use and aphrodisiac qualities.
The production and distribution of methamphetamine in Australia are often linked to international crime syndicates like the Cantonese Chinese syndicate Sam Gor, which controls 40% of the Asia-Pacific methamphetamine market. Local manufacturing of methamphetamine occurs in rolling meth labs, often found in residential areas. Law enforcement efforts have shifted to target these raw materials and manufacturing facilities, aiming to disrupt the business models of drug traffickers.
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Meth's production and importation
Australia has a growing demand for methamphetamine, with the country having the highest addiction rate in the world as of April 2017. The drug is known as 'ice' and is a highly purified, crystalline form of methamphetamine.
The production and importation of methamphetamine in Australia is a complex issue involving various international crime syndicates and cartels. In recent years, North American-produced methamphetamine has become the largest supplier of the drug to Australia, surpassing Southeast Asian countries. Mexican cartels, in particular, have targeted Australia due to cheaper wholesale prices and their complex concealment capabilities. In the 2022-2023 financial year, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) seized more than 23.6 tonnes of North American-produced methamphetamine bound for Australia, with Mexican, American, and Canadian production sources accounting for 16.7 tonnes of the total.
However, the Asia-Pacific region, particularly Myanmar and Thailand, also plays a significant role in the supply of methamphetamine to Australia. The Cantonese Chinese syndicate Sam Gor, also known as The Company, is believed to control 40% of the Asia-Pacific methamphetamine market and is active in several countries, including Australia.
While a significant proportion of methamphetamine is imported into Australia, there is also evidence of local production. In 2014, around 750 meth labs were raided in the country, and an industrial-sized clandestine laboratory was discovered in Adelaide in 2018. These labs are capable of producing hundreds of millions of dollars worth of illicit drugs. The Australian government and law enforcement agencies have made efforts to disrupt the production and importation of methamphetamine, with the AFP working closely with international partners to intercept drug shipments and target organised crime groups.
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Australia's drug laws
Australia has a complex drug law framework, with some laws being federal and others being state or territory-based. The federal Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons regulates many drugs, including prescription-only medications, which are deemed "illicit" if possessed without a valid prescription. Additionally, individual states and territories have their own laws and penalties regarding drugs, including fines, rehabilitation orders, driving disqualifications, and imprisonment.
Methamphetamine, commonly known as "meth," is a controlled substance in Australia, classified as a Schedule 8 drug. It is available for medical use but restricted in manufacture, supply, and possession. Australian authorities have been seizing large quantities of methamphetamine, reflecting its high demand across the country. In 2020, the Australian Federal Police confiscated 5.2 tonnes of methamphetamine.
The production, distribution, sale, and possession of methamphetamine are restricted or banned in many countries, including Australia, due to its potential for recreational use and adverse health effects. Methamphetamine use can lead to addiction, paranoia, psychosis, and violent behaviour. Australia has witnessed a growing demand for methamphetamine since the start of the 2000s, and in 2017, the country had the highest methamphetamine addiction rate globally.
Australian drug policies have been influenced by various factors over time, including international relations and moral panic. Initially, Australia's drug policies were influenced by the strict illicit drug controls promoted by the League of Nations and the United Nations. However, after World War 2, Australian drug policies shifted towards an increased focus on law enforcement and criminal justice, influenced by the United States' proactive participation in UN policymaking.
To combat the rising drug problem, Australian law enforcement has shifted its focus from targeting drug users to disrupting the drug supply chain by targeting raw materials and manufacturing facilities. This approach aims to undermine the business models of drug traffickers and reduce the availability of illicit drugs. Despite these efforts, Australia continues to face challenges in addressing the demand for and supply of drugs like methamphetamine.
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Meth labs in Australia
Methamphetamine, or meth, is a highly addictive and dangerous drug that has been increasingly in demand in Australia since the start of the 2000s. Australia had the highest methamphetamine addiction rate in the world as of April 2017. The drug is known as \"ice\" on the streets and in its crystalline form, and \"speed\" in its powder form.
The production, distribution, sale, and possession of methamphetamine are restricted or banned in many countries, including Australia, where it is a Schedule 8 drug. Despite this, the number of clandestine meth labs detected in Australia has been increasing. In 2012-13, 330 clandestine labs were discovered in Queensland alone, and around 750 meth labs were raided in 2014. In 2018, an industrial-sized meth lab was discovered in a suburban home in Adelaide, capable of producing hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of illicit drugs.
The Australian government and law enforcement agencies have been seizing large quantities of methamphetamine at the border and domestically on a regular basis. In November 2014, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) intercepted and seized 849 kilograms of methamphetamine, the largest methamphetamine seizure by the AFP at the time. The biggest bust occurred in 2022, when 1,800 kg of ice was found in shipping containers at a Sydney port.
The rise in meth labs across Australia has led to an increasing need for professional meth lab decontamination and clean-up services. Companies such as Meth Lab Cleaners Australia provide forensic testing, decontamination, and remediation services for properties contaminated by former meth labs. The toxic chemical residues left behind by meth production can have serious long-lasting health effects and even lead to death.
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Australian government's response
Australia has witnessed a burgeoning drug scene, with a rising demand for drugs like methamphetamine since the start of 2000. As of April 2017, Australia had the highest methamphetamine addiction rate in the world. Australian governments have responded to the methamphetamine problem by focusing on law enforcement and disrupting the supply of the drug and pseudoephedrine, a precursor drug used in its manufacture. The penalties for selling, possession, and use of meth vary by state or territory.
In recent years, law enforcement efforts have shifted from targeting drug users to targeting the supply chain, including raw materials and manufacturing facilities. This approach aims to disrupt the business models of drug traffickers. The number of clandestine labs detected in Australia has doubled in the last decade, with 330 labs discovered in Queensland alone in 2012-13.
The Australian Federal Police and their international partners have made significant drug busts, seizing up to 49 tonnes of illicit drugs in the 2022-23 financial year. Despite these efforts, consumption continues to grow, with Australians consuming 17% more methamphetamine in the year ending April 2024 compared to the previous year.
The Victorian parliament is conducting public hearings for an inquiry into the supply and use of methamphetamines, and Queensland has amended its Drugs Misuse Act to create a new offence for trafficking in precursor chemicals. The NSW government has been criticised for rejecting key recommendations from a report on amphetamine-based drugs, specifically regarding the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use.
There have been calls for a more innovative strategy to tackle the growing challenge of methamphetamine in Australia, with a focus on harm reduction and mitigation strategies. Wastewater analysis has been highlighted as a valuable tool for law enforcement, health agencies, and policymakers to tailor their responses to evolving drug market trends and address the impact of drug abuse on communities.
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Frequently asked questions
1,800 kg of meth, known as 'ice', was found in shipping containers at a Sydney port in 2022. This was the biggest bust of methamphetamine in Australia.
In the 2022-2023 financial year, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) seized 23.6 tonnes of North American-produced methamphetamine bound for Australia. However, in previous years, a large amount of methamphetamine was imported from China and Thailand.
Australia has the highest methamphetamine addiction rate in the world, and in 2021, it ranked the highest of 20 countries in per capita use.
Law enforcement efforts have shifted focus from drug users to the means of production, aiming to disrupt the business models of drug traffickers. In 2014, around 750 meth labs were raided, and in 2018, an industrial-sized clandestine laboratory was discovered in Adelaide.
