July 30, 2018
Member for Wide Bay – and former police officer – Llew O’Brien is urging local communities to get involved in the latest round of the Federal Government’s “Dob in a Dealer” campaign.
On Friday, Mr O’Brien announced the government was tipping in another $1 million to the campaign, which is run by Crime Stoppers Australia.
He said the program was being funded from the proceeds of crime.
“Dob in a Dealer is a call to action to provide Crime Stoppers with information to assist law enforcement in disrupting the import, manufacture and supply of ice and other harmful illicit drugs,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I encourage Wide Bay residents to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800-333-000 or go online to ‘dob in’ those people profiting from the use of illicit drugs in our community.”
Mr O’Brien said drugs like ice have a devastating impact on local communities.
“The government recognises that police can’t fight this on their own, and that our community can play a strong part to undermine and disrupt any criminal business models operating in local areas,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The government is taking a comprehensive approach to combat illicit drugs, involving education to reduce demand, rehabilitation to support those affected by drugs, and the blocking of supply chains.”
The last “Dob in a Dealer” campaign, which ran between February 2016 and March 2017, saw an average national increase of 95 per cent in drug-related information reports, including an increase of 143 per cent in the number of amphetamine-related reports from the public.
During 2016 in Queensland, Crime Stoppers received more than 17,000 drug-related information reports, including more than 5200 amphetamine-related reports.
This resulted in 600 arrests and the seizure of more than $1 million worth of drugs.
