THERE is a direct correlation between drugs and crime says Lyndon Community chief executive officer Ed Zarnow.
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Mr Zarnow deals in the treatment and rehabilitation of drug users from across the Central West on a regular basis at the newly-opened Wattlegrove Centre at Orange Health Service’s Bloomfield campus.
“Obviously the police have a much better grasp of that though, we just look after the treatment side of things,” he said.
“I’d say the combination of being high and wanting money for drugs (leads to crime), I don’t think you could pin it down to one particular thing though.”
Mr Zarnow said there are several ways of dealing with drugs in the region to ensure the issue does not get out of hand.
“Treatment is the start, again it’s not just one particular area that we need,” he said.
“Education and policing is an issue - it’s a combination of all those things, one thing isn’t going to solve it.
“Having a rehab unit isn’t going to solve the problem because not everybody wants to come to rehab.
“If we can keep them out of treatment centres then that’s better.”
Mr Zarnow said the issue is a state-wide problem.
“The problem is certainly not just here, it’s everywhere at different levels,” he said.
“I wouldn’t want to guess the percentage, but 60 per cent plus come from Western NSW and all over the state.”
Lyndon Community deputy CEO Julaine Allan said in her experience the relationship between drugs and crime exists, but the problem doesn’t seem to be getting worse, particularly in Orange.
“I don't think there’s any more or less drugs available in Orange than usual,” she said,
“Sometimes, and the police would know, what happens is people return to town or get out of jail and they’re involved in criminal activity, so when they’re back you see a spike.
“It can be things like violence, domestic violence and assault charges just as much as property, crime or theft.”
“You might see a bunch of break-ins or theft or property damage and then they get caught and go away again."
Ms Allan agreed there was a link between drugs and crime.
“I can only speak of the history of those that use our services,” she said.
“The ones that come here have used drugs and alcohol and lots of times that has got them in trouble.
“But using drugs does not make you commit crimes, but I guess if you haven't got any money you might consider it.”
bryson.ferreira@fairfaxmedia.com.au