Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are the second most abused substance in Moree, behind alcohol, and are frequently the catalyst for crime and anti-social behaviour, according to police.
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In a statement provided to the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug 'Ice', New England Police District Commander Superintendent Scott Tanner, who was unable to be called as a witness during the Moree hearing, said all the offenders he has dealt with personally in Moree attribute their drug use to ice.
"Offenders I have experienced in Moree normally have substance dependency," he said in his statement.
"There is usually more than one type of addiction with alcohol the largest contributor. ATS is second and normally is the catalyst for the behaviour as opposed to alcohol.
"The difference between other drugs and alcohol to ATS is, in my experience, the level of violence associated with its misuse. The offenders often display remarkable levels of strength and aggression. They are completely unpredictable and have heightened sense of awareness which leads to paranoia and extreme outbursts."
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Males who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, aged between 21 and 40, are the most common user of ATS in Moree, according to Superintendent Tanner, who said anti-social behaviour in town significantly increases when there's an oversupply of ATS in the community.
An example of this was in summer 2017/18 when there was a number of public disturbances in Moree, which saw more than 20 people front court for affray and violence offences.
"Whilst the cause of this was attributed to family issues between two distinct family groups, the use of ATS was significant at that time by the participants," Superintendent Tanner said.
"Nearly all the defendants highlighted in their reasoning to the court for their behaviour was the overuse of ATS at the time."
Superintendent Tanner said the impact of ATS on families in Moree is also significant, because the users are either victims or perpetrators of violence in the home.
In the last two years, Moree recorded 3101 Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) offences, with more than half of those involving a person who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
According to Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) statistics, the rate of domestic violence assault in Moree was 3.6 times the state average and the third highest rate in NSW between April 2018 and March 2019.
In his statement, Superintendent Tanner said it is common to see large groups of children on the streets at night as they do not feel safe at home due to the high rates of DFV.
"The dysfunction of families in Moree has contributed to a higher rate of criminal and anti-social behaviour in the town," he said.
"Police have been used in the recent past to assist Family and Community Services with the removal of children from Aboriginal homes due to neglect from ATS and other substances. These events escalate community tension and usually involved ongoing confrontation with police."
Moree Community Services Centre (CSC) casework child protection/triage manager Binnie Carter said a large number of their Risk of Significant Harm (ROSH) reports relate to children being out on the streets at night.
"A lot of the reports that we receive about young people is in regards to anti-social behaviour, so they're out on the streets, they're out late at night, they're committing some form of crime," she said.
"The reports we get from family members are concerns about our young mums and dads that are having children at a young age, but they have drug-related issues and are not able to care for those children."
In an effort to combat the high numbers of children walking the streets at night and the associated anti-social behaviour, Moree police have been working closely with Aboriginal service providers, such as the Aboriginal Legal Service, Miyay Birray and the SHAE Academy.
One particular program is the Saturday night program at the PCYC, which has had a significant impact since it was established in February this year.
Aimed at young people aged 10 to 17, the program runs from 9pm to 1am.
"The PCYC acts as a drop-in centre where volunteers from the police, Aboriginal Legal Service, Mirray Birray and community members provide a safe environment for the youth to interact," Superintendent Tanner said in his statement.
"On some nights the program has catered for over 120 young people. The average attendance is around 80 per night. All participants are provided a meal and activities and then driven home."
Superintendent Tanner believes that programs such as this, are not only reducing the number of children wandering the streets on Saturday night, but are also increasing the level of respect and understanding between the police and young people.
Police are working on reducing ATS in Moree through prevention, disruption and response.
Superintendent Tanner will be called as a witness to the inquiry at a later date.