Drugs rife in Riverland

THE Riverland and northern suburbs are havens for illegal drug users and dealers, figures show.

The latest Office of Crime Statistics and Research figures show these council areas have recorded a steady increase in drug offences over the past six years and a surge in drug dealing offences between 2009-10.

In Berri and Barmera District Council, the number of detected illegal drug sales skyrocketed from four in 2009 to 145 offences in 12 months. Police reported 186 drug-related offences in the area during that time.

In Port Adelaide and Enfield Council, illegal drug sales leapt from 74 to 138 among 522 drug-related offences reported in the area during 2009-10.

Playford Council, which takes in about 70,000 residents in the far northern suburbs, recorded 90 illegal drug-selling offences during 2009-10, up from 48 the year before, among 421 drug-related offences.

Several other council areas recorded jumps of more than 50 per cent in the selling or the trading of illegal drugs since 2006.

Police Assistant Commissioner Grant Stevens said increased drug detections came from strong policing.

The OCSAR data tracks all crimes known to police from 2006 to 2010.

The SA Police 2010-11 annual report also showed drug crime jumped 10.6 per cent, confirming the growth in drug dealing.

Forensic psychologist Dr Jack White was not surprised and said most of his clients had drug habits.

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Drugs rife in Riverland