Sentencing snapshot: Illicit drug offences involving amphetamines, 2009-2010

Summary

Aim

To describe the penalties imposed on adult offenders convicted of illicit drug offences involving amphetamines.
 

Results

In 2009-2010, 2,397 offenders were convicted of illicit drug offences involving amphetamines. The majority (70.9%) were convicted of using or possessing amphetamines, while approximately a quarter were convicted of dealing or trafficking amphetamines. The most common penalty imposed on an offender convicted of using or possessing amphetamine was a fine. For higher level supply offences, including importing, manufacturing or dealing amphetamine, the vast majority of convicted offenders received a custodial sentence. For those convicted of deal/traffic and use/possess offences, the likelihood of being imprisoned increased with the number of prior convictions and for those who had prior drug convictions that resulted in a custodial sentence. Among those imprisoned, the average aggregate sentence for manufacturing amphetamine was 59.7 months, with an average minimum term of 37.6 months. The average aggregate sentence for dealing or trafficking amphetamines was 39.8 months, with an average minimum term of 22.7 months. In contrast, the average aggregate sentence for using or possessing amphetamines was 7.6 months, with an average minimum term of 5.2 months.
Last updated:

08 Aug 2024