Drug Smuggling in Australia - Essay Example

These only make obvious the fact that most, if not all, of the country's drugs and narcotics supply come from outside its national borders. Because the drug problem has not yet been solved, the glaring truth is that the country's points of entry and exit remain vulnerable to drug smuggling. This paper aims to explain further the gravity of the problem in the current times as well as its potential consequences should it not be solved soon. Its significance dwell on the fact if an in-depth study of the problem is made, ideas may be drawn out to solve this.

Ultimately, it may result into the necessary formulation of new policies against drug smuggling or the improvement of those already in existence. Just like many highly developed countries in the world, Australia has a problem with the proliferation of illegal drugs. Since it does not have its own source for these contraband, most of these drugs came from other countries and smuggled in through different means and transit points. This condition, fortunately, has made the country achieve a lesser incidence of drug use among its citizens compared to the US and the countries of Europe.

However, this is not an excuse for complacency. In a survey done in 2004, 38 percent of the population aged 14 years and above were found to have used illegal drugs at least once. Of this number, 15 percent admitted that they used it only very recently. (Crime Facts Info) In fact, the problem may have only exacerbated with rising incidence of other crimes such as physical assault, sexual assault, robberies, and kidnappings. In many instances, drug use has been found to be contributing factors in the commission of these crimes.

A majority of the criminals have admitted using drugs. Historically, drug abuse in the country worsened during the Vietnam War. US soldiers on leave stayed in the country and they happen to be the most susceptible buyers of the drugs. The 1960's was also the time when the Australian youth, influenced by the hippie movement in the US, began to experiment on illicit drugs. Members of the US armed forces stationed in Australia's key cities smuggled heroin often from war-torn areas in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Thai-Burmese border.

(Hamilton) Heroin, a narcotic byproduct of opium, was abundant in these areas. It was also the top selling illegal drug in the Asian-Pacific during these times. Australia, being near to the drug sources, was a most likely victim. After a brief surge in the 70's and 80's, heroin smuggling to the country has greatly diminished in the 90's. By the 2000's, there was virtually no more high-grade heroin being sold on the streets. (Weatherburn et al) However, the drug problem never actually abated since other addictive substances came into the country.

Drugs as methamphetamine, cocaine, and morphine filled the void left by the heroin of Southeast Asian origin. In a media release in early 2008 by the AFP, the authorities claimed to have arrested 33 people for smuggling drugs internally. Those arrested and charged were on flights coming from Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, India, and the United Arab Emirates. (AFP, 2008) In 2008, Afghan heroin was smuggled into the country and was seen being sold in Sydney. (Kidman)II. Internal Drug Smuggling and Transnational Organized