Revealed: How cocaine use in country towns has TRIPLED in just two years – and why as the once ‘exclusive’ drug is now available to low income earners
- Demand for cocaine in rural communities has been growing at an alarming rate
- Cocaine use throughout small towns in Australia has tripled in the past two years
- Authorities are worried as it shows the availability of cocaine has increased
Cocaine use has skyrocketed in rural communities across Australia as availability for the high-class drug increases.
Demand for the once ‘exclusive’ drug has spread from the highly-paid city slickers to the general public at an alarming rate.
Use of the illicit-drug has tripled over the past two years in rural communities across the country, police say.
Cocaine use has skyrocketed in rural communities across Australia as availability for the high-class drug increases
In the past two years the use of the illicit-drug has tripled in rural communities across the country, police say
Authorities are concerned as it shows the availability of cocaine has significantly increased, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission boss Michael Phelan told The Herald Sun.
‘Regional areas tend to see tangible increases in drug availability only when there is significant availability in capital cities as well.’
‘Although cocaine once had an image as an ”exclusive” drug only consumed by professionals and highly paid individuals, its current user group is far broader and more representative of the general population.’
He said as the standard of living improves across the country demand for the drug will continue to grow.
Cocaine use was at the highest-ever recorded level in Australia last year since drug trend reports began in 2003, according to The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre
Demand for the once ‘exclusive’ drug has spread from the highly-paid city slickers to the general public at an alarming rate
Cocaine use was at the highest-ever recorded level in Australia last year since drug trend reports began in 2003, according to The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.
About three tonnes of cocaine is consumed in Australia every year, figures show.
Detective Superintendent Chris Gilbert said drug use in the Victorian community was a significant concern for police, both in rural and metropolitan areas.
However, despite the drug use increasing a rapid pace, methylamphetamine and cannabis were still the top drugs of choice, he said.