Methamphetamines driving country crime

An increase in Victoria’s crime rate in 2013 was driven by drug-related offences in rural and regional areas, police say. “Statewide, drug-related crimes rose by 12.3 per cent. Social workers say increasing ice use is fuelling crime against property and causing more mental illness and family breakdowns.” The increase in drug offences detected by police is corroborated by a “major increase” in people receiving drug treatment. Peter Cranage of UnitingCare Ballarat said, “We’re seeing an increase in ice and methamphetamines in all our programs.”