Two men, aged 27 and 37 were arrested yesterday, Tuesday 17 February, 2015 in Adelaide after police
intercepted 16kg of methamphetamine in custom built treadmills, which arrived from China in December 2014. With a wholesale value of $3.5m, worth more on the streets, it is certainly a win, albeit small win, against the war on the methamphetamine epidemic in Australia. According to the Australian Crime Commission 2013 on the number of clandestine drug labs seized in the prior decade, meth labs being found and seized have grown at a phenomenal rate.
While a drug bust of this size is certainly a huge win, is this leading to a rise of crude and dangerous meth labs popping up across the country?
Education is Key
Drugs are fundamentally a health issue not unlike alcohol abuse or tobacco use. Drug users need help and treatment. While treatment options including rehab facilities are available, users cannot be forced to get help.
Parents can play an important part in reducing rise of meth use by talking openly with their children about the dangers associated with meth use and future issues related with use.
Reduce initiation by talking with children: Parents should talk openly and frankly with their children about the health issues associated with drugs. Although young people will always want to test their limits and try drugs, parents need to make them aware of future health and mental health issues associated with meth use.
Give them options: If a child has already tried meth, seeking professional help is important so they can understand the damage meth use is causing their brain and so they have options to get over the ‘low’ caused by the come-down. Early help for sleeping and the ‘low’ can make a massive difference.
Intervene: If a child has encountered financial problems due to their drug use, and have turned to stealing, try to find out who is putting pressure on them. Contact the police and get help from law enforcement who will handle the situation with tact and anonymity.
Understand the withdrawal process: Family support is essential as people go through withdrawals, rehabilitation and as they rebuild their life within the community. Each state across the country offers superior rehabilitation and withdrawal services accepting patients referred privately, by the police or courts.
What you can do to help?
At Meth Lab Cleaners Australia, we believe education is important when dealing with the devastating and insidious meth problem in Australia. If you’re concern about a family member or friend, check out our pages to discover the warning signs of meth use, the effects of meth, withdrawal effects of meth, meth addiction and warning signs of a meth lab.
Contact Meth Lab Cleaners Australia for an obligation-free chat to find out how we can help remediate your property.
If you’re concerned about a possible meth lab in your community, contact Crime Stoppers 24/7.