The Commonwealth-funded campaign ‘Dob in a Dealer’ was launched last Thursday across the state after the success of the previous campaign in February 2016 to March 2017.

The initiative aims to stop Australia’s supply of illicit drugs, including methylamphetamine (ice), cocaine, MDMA, heroin and cannabis.

Wagga Police Acting Inspector Phil Malligan said “Wagga is not alone in the issue of drugs and scourge of drugs in the community”.

“Unfortunately the drugs in the community can have a major impact,” he said.

“The strain on health care and law enforcement here in the Riverina is a huge issue.

“Drug related crime can follow onto other crimes – from break and enters to stolen vehicles, as well as firearm offences.”

Data by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research show that Wagga’s rate of drug offences in October 2016–September 2018 was stable.

In August and September 2018, Wagga’s rates were 70.2 and 60.9 per 100,000 population, respectively.

These figures were higher than the state’s at 53.8 and 47.3 for the same periods.

However, the year to September 2018 had a lower rate and fewer offences compared with the previous period.

The campaign will target criminals who are manufacturing and supplying illicit drugs and the message to residents is that one call to Crime Stoppers has a strong impact.

“Members of the public play an important role in identifying these offenders and shutting down drug-manufacturing drug syndicates and suppliers,” Inspector Malligan said.

“NSW currently has the highest heroin use across Australia, so for this reason, there is clearly a number of suppliers out there.

“The overall ramifications of drug-related offences not only cost millions of dollars in healthcare and law enforcement, but tragically the unnecessary loss of human lives.”

Peter Price, Crime Stoppers NSW CEO, said responding to drug-related offences not only costs millions of dollars in healthcare and law enforcement, but tragically and unnecessarily it costs human lives.

“Someone’s son or daughter is likely to die today because of a drug dealer selling their poison for profit,” Mr Price said.

“We know from history that public support helps police intervene in criminal activity and disrupt organised crime gangs who are responsible for the manufacture and supply of these drugs.

The campaign ends on February 26.

If you think you have information about someone in your community who is manufacturing or supplying drugs, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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