Family First exists to restore Australia by restoring the primacy of the family in public policy. This will be achieved through a grass roots political party which raises courageous voices in our nation’s parliaments. More details are available on our website: https://www.familyfirstparty.org.au/
- New data shows record levels of cocaine and ice use in Victoria, with national drug consumption up 21% from August 2024 to August 2025
- Victoria recorded its highest-ever number of fatal overdoses with 584 deaths in 2024
- Over 4,550 Victorians are on waiting lists daily for alcohol and drug treatment services
- Victoria Police's drug strategy has lapsed, with critics citing government's focus on ideology over practical action
- Family First party calls for increased investment in rehabilitation, stronger enforcement, and opposes drug legalisation
Record cocaine and ice use exposes the Allan Labor Government's failure to protect Victorian families
Family First Victorian Upper House candidate Jane Foreman has called on the Allan Labor Government to take immediate and decisive action after new data revealed Victoria is experiencing record levels of cocaine and ice use — and police have admitted their drug strategy has lapsed.
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's 25th National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program report shows that consumption of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine has reached unprecedented levels nationally, with Victoria contributing significantly to the crisis. The report also reveals that 26.8 tonnes of methylamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and MDMA were consumed across Australia in the period from August 2024 to August 2025 — a 21 per cent rise on the previous year.
Disturbingly, 584 Victorians fatally overdosed in 2024 — the highest number on record — while more than 4,550 Victorians are waiting for alcohol and other drug treatment every single day.
“This is an absolute failure of leadership from the Allan Labor Government,” Ms Foreman said.
“Victorian families are paying the price — in lives lost, in communities torn apart, and in the safety of our streets — while the government has allowed its own drug strategy to lapse. This is not an accident; it is a consequence of a government that has been distracted by ideology and vanity projects while a genuine crisis has unfolded in our suburbs.”
Ms Foreman said the figures were a direct indictment of a government that had abandoned core responsibilities. While Labor has racked up record debt and poured public money into ideological programs, frontline services protecting Victorians from drug harm have been left under-resourced and under-prioritised.
“Victorians want a government focused on the essentials — safer communities, better frontline services and responsible use of public funds,” Ms Foreman said.
“Instead, Labor has plunged this State into record debt while ice and cocaine use are hitting record highs and hundreds of Victorians are dying each year. The government must be held accountable. Families across Victoria are crying out for real leadership — not spin, not ideology, but practical action that keeps communities safe.”
Family First opposes any moves to legalise or decriminalise illicit substances, arguing that normalising drug use only deepens the crisis. The party supports increased investment in rehabilitation and recovery programs, a renewed and properly resourced police drug enforcement strategy, stronger prison-based drug intervention programs, and community-led prevention efforts that support families.
“Legalising drugs does not solve the problem — it makes it worse,” Ms Foreman said.
“What Victoria needs is a properly funded and enforced strategy that supports people into rehabilitation and recovery, keeps drugs off our streets, and gives parents the confidence that their children are growing up in safe communities. Family First will fight for exactly that.”
Ms Foreman said the Allan Government must immediately release a credible, fully funded drug strategy with measurable outcomes, increase funding for rehabilitation and residential treatment services, and direct Victoria Police to restore a rigorous proactive drug enforcement program.
“Victoria does not need more ideology, more bureaucracy or more debt,” Ms Foreman said.
“It needs transparency, accountability and a return to common sense. The record number of overdose deaths is not a statistic — every one of those 584 people is someone’s child, parent or friend. It is time for this government to stop making excuses and start protecting Victorian families.”
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