Esperance facing a dangerous meth fight
Esperance is suffering the effects of the nationwide ice epidemic, with police attributing two recent cases of severe psychosis to a high-grade batch of methamphetamine.
An 18-year-old man was heavily sedated and flown to Kalgoorlie-Boulder yesterday morning, after being admitted to Esperance Hospital in a state of drug- induced psychosis the previous evening.
The incident followed a similar situation last weekend, where a 20-year-old woman was admitted to hospital twice before eventually being flown to Kalgoorlie-Boulder the following day.
Both are believed to have suffered the severe side-effects from methamphetamine use, and subsequently required mental health treatment.
Esperance Senior Sergeant Richard Moore said the incidents reflected a recent report from the Australian Crime Commission, which warned foreign organised crime groups were targeting Australia due to the high price of methamphetamine.
"From intelligence we've received we believe that may be the case in Esperance," Sen. Sgt Moore said.
"Recently we've had a couple of people have quite severe drug-induced psychotic episodes."
"The grade of the methamphetamine, we believe, ... is quite high and people aren't used to that so they're reacting to it.
"Our resources could be used in a more productive manner than dealing with people who have taken drugs, but we understand we have a responsibility to these people and their families."
Police have reported seeing an increase of in the amount of methamphetamine flowing through the port town in recent months.
Last month a man was allegedly found in possession of a 2g rock of ice, while late last year two traffic stops on South Coast Highway resulted in police seizing 10g and 11g of the drug, respectively.
Sen. Sgt Moore said it was unlikely Esperance was being specifically targeted by dealers.
"It's just reflective of the community nowadays," he said.
"Years ago it was cannabis and now there's been a huge increase in methamphetamine.
"We want to focus on those dealers in town and try and prevent as much drug use as we can."
Sen. Sgt Moore warned the community to be aware of the dangers of drugs and urged anyone who had relevant information to contact Esperance police or Crime Stoppers immediately.
