National Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Strategy Background Paper

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criminal offences
There continue to be community misconceptions about the use of ATS. The use of terms
such as ‘party drugs,’ ‘recreational drugs’ and ecstasy provides an implicit message of fun,
pleasure and, in the case of ‘ice,’ purity of methamphetamine. There is a lack of awareness
of the true manner in which ATS is manufactured and the significant harms that may arise
from the manufacturing process and use of ATS.
The community’s perception of the criminality of possession, use and trafficking in ATS
needs to be enhanced. There is also a need to ensure the community understands the type
of responses being adopted by law enforcement in response to the threat of ATS – including
the use of diversion from the criminal justice system to treatment and education, controls on
precursor chemicals and equipment, successes in seizing drugs and proceeds of crime.
The objective of this priority area is to increase awareness among the Australian public
about ATS, its manner of production, its harms and the enforcement of its illegal status.
Recommended activities are:
i. In partnership with other sectors of Federal, State, Territory and local Government, the
non-government sector, the media and the community, support the development and
delivery of public awareness campaigns. The content of campaigns should include:
• the physical, psychological and social harms of ATS use;
• the nature of ATS manufacture, including clandestine drug laboratories;
• the types of substances often found in illicit drugs and the conditions under which
they are produced;
• the criminal penalties for ATS possession, use and trafficking; the availability
and success of treatment options, and;
• law enforcement approaches to ATS, including how the community can assist
in the achievement of law enforcement successes, such as through involvement
in community cooperation programs; and
ii. Consider the appropriateness of a nationally consistent policy among Australian police
about how to report on ATS seizures and other law enforcement successes.
In addition, recommendations from the consultations suggest a need to ensure that media
reports reflect the realities of supply, demand and harmful effects of ATS. They also suggest
the importance of law enforcement agencies publicising their achievements.