In response to strong community opposition to the opening of Cloud 9 in Bunbury,
South West MLC Adele Farina today announced that she has written to Police
Minister Michelle Roberts asking the Minister to consider changes to the law to make
it illegal to sell or display any implement that can be used to inhale illegal drugs such
as methamphetamine.
“Constituents have contacted me expressing concern and outrage over the opening
of a Cloud 9 store in Bunbury which sells implements capable of being used to
smoke methamphetamine, and I share those concerns,” Ms Farina said.
“A recent Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission report found that per capita
Australia uses more methamphetamine than almost any other country in the world
and West Australians are the biggest meth users in the country.
“Wastewater testing shows Bunbury recorded the highest levels of
methamphetamine use in the State resulting in Bunbury being labelled the Meth
capital of Western Australia, the last thing we need in Bunbury is a store that makes
it easier for people to buy implements for smoking meth.
“If Cloud 9 is permitted to operate in Bunbury without challenge, there is every
likelihood that, in time, Cloud 9 stores will open at other locations throughout the
South West, we need to act now to try to prevent this from occurring.
“Methamphetamine use is tearing families apart, stores like Cloud 9 do not assist in
the fight against methamphetamine use.
“WA Labor went to the last state election with a strong commitment and a plan to
combat the methamphetamine problem in Western Australia.
“If the law as it currently stands allows stores like Cloud 9 to sell drug paraphernalia,
then in my view and the view of those constituents who have contacted me, the law
needs to be changed to prohibit or severely restrict the sale of such implements.
“I am committed to doing all I can to reduce methamphetamine usage levels in
Western Australia and to rid Bunbury of its Meth capital label.
“I have written to the Minister for Police Michelle Roberts asking the Minister to
consider changes to the law to prohibit or severely restrict the sale of implements that
may be used to inhale illegal drugs.
“Such legislative amendments are not straight forward and will present challenges,
for example one argument for opposing prohibition of the sale of such implements is
that they may be used for legal purposes such as inhaling eucalyptus or tobacco
vapours, nevertheless I believe it is time to review the law and explore options for
prohibiting or restricting the sale of implements that may be used for smoking illegal
drugs.
“In the event this proves too difficult, I have also written to the Minister for Planning
Rita Saffioti asking the Minister to consider changes to the planning laws that would
prohibit Cloud 9 and similar stores selling such implements from locating in retail
shopping areas or similar zoned areas and near schools.
“Meth is destroying families and communities, regardless of the challenges we need
to explore all measures and implement those considered appropriate to assist in
reducing the high rate of methamphetamine use in Bunbury, the region and the
State.