The Commonwealth Illicit Drugs Joint Agency Taskforce
Illicit drugs are the life-blood of transnational, serious and organised crime (TSOC) groups targeting Australia. Illicit drugs are critical to funding TSOC group activities and operations. They have a devastating impact, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas.
Australians consume 15 tonnes of illicit drugs per year, valued at $9.6 billion in street prices. This is a lucrative market for TSOC networks who seek to profit from criminal activity. While these networks profit from crime, our communities suffer. We see increases in drug addiction, overdoses and crime to pay for drugs.
In December 2018, the Government established the Commonwealth Illicit Drug Joint Agency Taskforce. The Taskforce brings together Commonwealth agencies with a role to play in combatting illicit drugs. The Taskforce seeks to reduce the harm caused by drugs to the Australian community. We use intelligence to ensure we act in a coordinated way, reducing drug supply, demand and harm and targeting our efforts towards the most significant drug threats.
The Department of Home Affairs and Department of Health lead the Taskforce. The various agencies that form the Taskforce ensures health and prevention activities complement law enforcement activity. Members include:
- Department of Home Affairs
- Department of Health
- Australian Border Force
- Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
- Australian Federal Police
- Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre
- Department of Education
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Department of Social Services
National Drug Strategy
The National Drug Strategy (NDS) aims to reduce and prevent harm caused by drugs. Overseen by the Ministerial Drug and Alcohol Forum, it provides a framework that:
- identifies our national priorities
- guides government action
- outlines our commitment to harm minimisation
The NDS aims to build safe, healthy and resilient Australian communities. It seeks to achieve this by using a balanced approach across the three pillars of supply, demand and harm reduction. The pillars emphasise the importance of collaborating across government to achieve the aims of the Strategy. The Department of Health has further information on the
National Drug Strategy.
National Ice Action Strategy
The
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commmission's National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program data shows that methylamphetamine - or ice - is the most consumed illicit stimulant drug in Australia and the number of users continues to grow. As ice use increases, so too does its impact on individuals, families and the community.
The Council of Australian Governments agreed on the National Ice Action Strategy in 2015. It outlines achievable actions to:
- reduce the supply and use of ice in Australia
- reduce the harm it causes to the community
The Strategy emphasises collaboration across Australian governments and agencies. The Department of Health has further information on the
National Ice Action Strategy.
Home Affairs Illicit Drug Action Plan
The Minister for Home Affairs announced the
Home Affairs Illicit Drug Action Plan in November 2019.
The Action Plan outlines the Home Affairs Portfolio's current priorities and actions to combat illicit drugs. It demonstrates how we work together to combat the threat. The Action Plan draws upon lessons from our past and current responses to drive action for the future.
