WHILE the Orana Mid-Western Police District won’t be officially included in the 2019 Dob in a Dealer campaign over the next month, residents are still encouraged to report suspicious activity to police and Crime Stoppers.
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The campaign first launched in Wellington in 2015 through the grassroots Gungie Origin program, and was such a success the federal government announced it would put $1 million into the program to be run across other communities in conjunction with Crime Stoppers.
The Central West Police District will be part of the campaign this year, with towns including Orange, Parkes, Forbes, Molong, Cumnock and Trundle to see the campaign launch on February 26.
The last campaign, which ran in from February 2016 to March 2017 in the Orana region, was aimed at stopping the supply of illicit drugs including methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, heroin and cannabis.
Data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research showed though methylamphetamine- and cannabis-related offences are declining in the Central West Police District, they continue to pose a problem for law enforcement authorities.
Police registered 84 offences related to the possession or use of methylamphetamine between October 2013 and September 2014, followed by 73 in the same period in 2014-15, 88 (2015-16), 47 (2016-17) and 55 (2017-18).
Data showed methylamphetamine abuse in Orange was higher than in Bathurst and similar to Dubbo, while cannabis abuse was higher than in Bathurst, but lower than Dubbo.
Police said they will conduct intensive community engagement activities and seek public help in shutting down drug manufacturing syndicates.
Residents are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report securely online at www.crimestoppers.com.au if they have information about someone who is manufacturing or supplying drugs.
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