The media often depict people who use crystal methamphetamine
("ice") as aggressive, erratic, violent criminals –
responsible for the bulk of criminal offending across
Australia.
But in reality, this is a distorted picture of the real
relationship between ice use and violence, one that can cause
unnecessary stigma for people managing ice dependence and don't
engage in anti-social behaviour.
The following outlines the link between ice use and crime, why
certain effects of ice can lead to violence and how the criminal
law views methamphetamine intoxication in determining
culpability.
The Link
Between Ice Use and Offending
The majority of people who use methamphetamine do not commit
crimes, but using methamphetamine is a known risk
factor for engaging in criminal offences, from property offences to
support the habit to crimes of violence.
