Page 4658 - Week 12 - Thursday, 15 October 2009
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4. Police apprehension of drug offenders and police seizures of drugs are not accurate indicators on the general prevalence of drug crimes and drug supply. Police are only involved in a portion of drug related matters and many drug related matters will not come to the attention of police.
The following table shows the number of Drug related offences reported by ACT Policing for the period 01 July 2000 to 30 June 2009.
(Available at the Chamber Support Office)
It should be noted that the number of offences for possessing drugs fluctuates as a result of police not targeting the possession of drugs (for personal use). The detection of these offences often occurs secondary to the detection of other police activity or the commission of another offence.
The detection of drug offences relating to dealing, supply, manufacture have trended downwards over recent years as a result of ACT Policing’s strategies to reduce drug supply by targeting high-end criminals involved in the manufacture and distribution of drugs. As the higher end of the drug distribution chain involves fewer criminals than lower in the chain, fewer offences are detected however the benefit to this strategy is that increased drug seizures can be made, and a greater impact and disruption is made on drug supply.
The following table shows the number of drug seizures made by ACT Policing for the period 01 July 2000 to 30 June 2009.
ACT Policing Drug seizures 01 July 2000 to 30 June 2009
|
Year |
2000-2001 |
2001-2002 |
2002-2003 |
2003-2004 |
2004-2005 |
2005-2006 |
2006-2007 |
2007-2008 |
2008-2009 |
|
Total Seizures |
1543 |
1112 |
1307 |
1201 |
1092 |
1100 |
1112 |
1699 |
1440 |
|
Total Weight* |
271,317.28 |
411,631.59 |
473,677.67 |
845,914.17 |
580,259.24 |
310,058.48 |
227,148.56 |
309,188.80 |
178,150.02 |
*Weight in grams
It should be noted that total drug seizures has trended upwards in recent years, however the total weight of drugs seized has trended downwards as a result of the prevalence and targeting of modern drugs such as ecstasy and amphetamine type stimulants, which are often significantly lighter in weight than some of the more traditional illicit drugs such as cannabis.
Children—school bus travel
(Question No 286)
Ms Bresnan asked the Minister for Transport, upon notice, on 27 August 2009:
(1) Is it current ACT Government policy to allow parents to accompany young children to help familiarise them with bus travel for a period of one month unless there are special circumstances, such as a child having a disability.
(2) Who was consulted in developing this policy.
(3) Is it correct that previously parents were allowed to travel on school buses with their pre-school aged children for an unlimited amount of time; if so, why has the policy changed to a one month limit.
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