A senior police officer is worried about Warrnambool region’s growing youth drug problem.
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Serious crime rates and drug offences have never been higher in the Warrnambool, Moyne and Corangamite municipalities, the most recent statistics revealed.
The Western Region Alcohol and Drug Centre has declared that drug use in the region is on the rise.
And it is young people - aged between 15 and 20 years - who are most at risk, including one case where a teenager overdosed twice in the past month requiring intensive care.
In an unrelated court case on Monday, an 18-year-old student was fined $3000 for trafficking drugs.
Warrnambool police undercover unit Sergeant Cameron Ross said ice, ecstasy and cannabis had never been more available.
"This is a massive society issue," Sergeant Ross said.
"Young people are being targeted - those aged between 15 and 20 years old.
“It's in schools and sporting clubs. No where in society has been left untouched."
Sergeant Ross said young people experimenting with drugs was a growing concern.
"There is evidence that kids are succumbing to peer pressure," he said.
"These drugs are readily available and the most scary part of it is that no one knows what's in them."
“There is advice available at the WRAD centre or your local doctor. Kids need to be informed so that they can make the choice not to ever take drugs.”