Punch says Bunbury deserves praise for efforts to stop meth

The Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill 2017 was one of the first bills introduced to the new state parliament and will see the maximum sentence for meth trafficking increased from 25 years to life imprisonment. 

The new penalties are part of the government’s methamphetamine action plan which aims to reduce the supply of meth in WA and break the cycle of drug-related crime. 

Premier Mark McGowan said thousands of families across WA are battling against the scourge of meth and it needs to stop. 

“I’ve met many of these families and it’s heartbreaking. Meth is an epidemic which is destroying communities,” he said. 

“Those communities expect traffickers to be locked up for a long time – they are evil people and are responsible for tearing families apart and destroying lives.

“I will not stand idly by while this happens.”

Recent sewerage testing highlighted a high amount of methamphetamine use in Bunbury, with many dubbing Bunbury the meth capital of WA. 

Member for Bunbury Don Punch told the Mail he welcomed the government’s strong stance on methamphetamine trafficking but wished the City would receive better recognition for the steps it was taking to deal with drug-use. 

“There is no doubt this election commitment to increase the penalties for trafficking must be delivered to have an impact on those producing and supplying a drug that causes so much misery,” he said.

“But as for Bunbury, I think we should be recognised as the caring capital of WA.

“We have a number of excellent non-government organisations such as Doors Wide Open and Ice Breakers Bunbury who are doing a fantastic job of supporting addicts and their families in our community. 

“Bunbury has done a good job of admitting there was a problem and banding together as one to try to turn things around.”

Last week, the Mail reported concerns from a number of prominent groups that Bunbury could be targeted by a new federal government initiative to randomly drug test welfare recipients. 

Mr Punch said this week he was also concerned Bunbury could be selected as one of the testing sites. 

“This is a punitive approach to managing drug addiction in individuals in an environment where we already have laws for use and possession of illegal drugs,” Mr Punch said. 

“Drug addiction is not restricted to welfare recipients and should not be presented as such.

“Addiction affects all sectors of our community and should be dealt with through an appropriate mix of justice and rehabilitation responses – this is where the funding needs to go.”