Kwinana Police back tougher meth penalties

Kwinana police have welcomed the recent McGowan Government announcement to implement a maximum life imprisonment penalty for the trafficking of methamphetamine.

The Misuse of Drugs Amendment (Methamphetamine Offences) Bill 2017 was one of the first introduced into the new State Parliament, which will see the maximum sentence for meth trafficking increased from 25 years to life imprisonment.

Other changes to the legislation will include the introduction of unlimited fines for meth traffickers, up from the current $100,000 maximum fine. Mark McGowan said he would not stand idly by while meth continued to destroy communities.

“Thousands of families across WA are battling against the scourge of meth, every day they endure its impacts: violence, arrests, losing houses, jobs and businesses; this needs to stop,” he said.

“By increasing the penalty for meth traffickers to life imprisonment, we are acting to significantly reduce the supply of meth in WA.”

The new penalties are a key part of the Government’s Methamphetamine Action Plan and aims to reduce the supply of meth in Western Australia and break the cycle of drug-related crime.

Kwinana police Senior Sergeant Gary Benzies was pleased with the announcement and hoped it would help stem the impact of the dangerous drug.

“I am supportive of any proposal that seeks to limit the amount of misery that is caused by illicit drugs,” he said.

“If this proposed legislation has an effect on the amount of drugs on the street then it has to be a good thing.

“But it has to be a multi-agency approach, with help and support for those that need it so they can become fully functioning members of society again.”