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Seventy per cent of ice users 'on the dole', nine in ten haven't worked in a month

Seventy per cent of ice users arrested by police have admitted to being on welfare, while four in 10 turn to crime to feed their addiction, a survey has found.

The Australian Institute of Criminology reportedly surveyed 1146 criminals, revealing alarming statistics surrounding methylamphetamine users.

The report found that those with a drug addiction are four and a half times more likely to source an income through crime.

The findings also confirmed that illegal substances are easier than ever to get and have increased in potency.

Four in 10 ice users turn to crime to fund their habit. Photo: Getty/Stock
Four in 10 ice users turn to crime to fund their habit. Photo: Getty/Stock

Justice Minister Michael Keenan told The Herald Sun the survey exposed "a disturbing revelation".

"This scourge is putting enormous cost pressures on our country and causing so much danger in our communities," Mr Keenan said.

"We can’t simply arrest our way out of this problem. The biggest blow to the organised criminals who peddle this drug will always be to prevent people from taking it."

Mr Keenan said criminals are stripped of welfare payments as soon as they are taken into custody.

The AIC survey revealed 88.4 per cent of ice users had not had full-time employment in the last 30 days.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan. Photo: The West Australian
Justice Minister Michael Keenan. Photo: The West Australian

More than 40 per cent of survey participants were indigenous.

Welfare payments for a single unemployed person without children amounts to $528 per fortnight, while an unemployed couple can receive $954.

Taxpayers are expected to fork out almost $160 million this financial year to support those on welfare payments.

The full survey results will be released today.

News break – October 19