ICE use in the south-west is rife and police have also noticed an increase in heroin abuse.
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Statistics released by the Crime Statistics Agency reveal an increase in drug offences. In 2016, there were 13 people charged with cultivating or manufacturing drugs, a 225 per cent increase from 2015, while 64 people were charged with drug dealing or trafficking, an increase of 220 per cent.
In Hamilton, there was an increase in the number of people charged with drug dealing and trafficking, with 15 people charged in 2016 and five in 2015.
South-west police crime manager Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Canavan said information from members of the public, coupled with tasking units established in the Southern Grampians/Glenelg and Warrnambool police areas which focused on drug and associated crimes, had led to a higher number of offences detected.
Detective Senior Sergeant Canavan said ice use and the property crime and family violence associated with drug use was a major issue in the south-west.
“It is an issue across the state and we are not immune,” he said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Canavan said police also referred users to local support services to prevent a continuing cycle of drug abuse.
He encouraged members of the public to report any suspicious behaviour.
“The more intelligence we get from the public, the better results we get,” he said.
Information can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.