Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 4 Hansard (29 March) . . Page.. 1257 ..

Ecstacy

(Question No 343)

Mr Stanhope asked the Minister for Health, Housing and Community Services, upon notice:

In relation to the use of the illicit drug, ecstacy:

(1) What is the extent of the supply and usage of the drug in the ACT.

(2) What are the distribution channels for the drug.

(3) Is the supply of the drug organised by the same groups that organise for example cannabis, heroin or amphetamine distribution.

(4) On what data is the answer to question 1 based.

(5) What research has been done on the supply and usage of ecstasy in the ACT.

(6) How many prosecutions have there been in each of the past three years for supply or usage of ecstasy.

(7) How many (a) overdose callouts and (b) deaths have been attributed to ecstasy.

(8) What programs are in place to educate users or potential users about the dangers of ecstasy and how to avoid the drug and (a) how much is the Government spending on these programs (b) is there a charge to the client group.

Mr Moore: The answer to the member's question is:

1) Ecstasy is an emerging drug with an increasing market in the ACT. Given the current national shortage of heroin, the demand for other drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy is reportedly increasing.

The 1998 National Drug Strategy Household Survey reports that 5.6% of ACT residents over the age of 14 had used ecstasy at least once and 2.8% had used it in the 12 months prior to the survey.

2) According to the Australian Federal Police distribution of ecstasy is predominantly around the night club and rave party scene.

3) The Australian Federal Police indicate that the supply of ecstasy is related to the supply of methamphetamine and can be linked to outlaw motor cycle gangs and certain cultural groups. Ecstasy is either imported, predominantly from the Netherlands or Germany, or locally produced. Locally produced ecstasy comes to Canberra from Sydney and the South Coast and more recently from Melbourne. The major supply of ecstasy in Canberra is locally produced.

4) The data provided in question one has been obtained from three sources. These are, Australian Federal Police Drug Team, the 1998 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, and "ACT Drug Trends 1999: Findings from the Illicit Drug

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .