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21 January 2002
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'Drug capital' loses title
From AAP
21jan02
THE western Sydney suburb of Cabramatta is no longer the drug capital of Australia, police have said.
NSW Assistant Commissioner Clive Small, who will this week present a report on crime in the area to Commissioner Peter Ryan, said today police tactics and a national heroin shortage had cut the number of drug addicts in Cabramatta.
His comments were backed by NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research director Don Weatherburn.
"I don't believe (Cabramatta) deserves the title of the drug capital any longer," Mr Small told ABC radio.
"The flagrant and visible drug market no longer operates.
"It appears a number of drug users are simply leaving the market. They're not using or they're using at a much reduced rate."
Mr Small said there seemed to have been a significant increase in the number of addicts seeking methadone treatment.
"There are others who simply can't get the drugs," he said, acknowledging that a shortage of imported heroin had helped.
Mr Small said the number of drug overdoses was down by 74 per cent and the number of syringes dispensed to addicts was down by 60 per cent.
Only a small percentage of drug sellers had moved to nearby suburbs, while many drug users were now using in private rather than on the streets, Mr Small said.
"We do now have the police and the community and other government departments all working together," he said.
"We're not just taking a straight law and order approach, it's a community approach."
Dr Weatherburn said the heroin shortage had caused a statewide drop in heroin use.
"But the drop is much more dramatic in Cabramatta because of the additional police resources and tactics," he said.
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