Pubdate: Tue, 06 Apr 2010
Source: Geelong Advertiser (Australia)
Copyright: 2010 The Geelong Advertiser Pty Ltd
Contact:  http://www.glgadvertiser.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1031
Author: Kerri-Ann Hobbs
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hallucinogens.htm (Hallucinogens)

LSD BACK IN FASHION

LSD Is Fast Emerging As the Latest Drug of Choice in Geelong's Party Scene.

Its re-emergence over the past two months has surprised police, with 
detectives fearing the region was spearheading a statewide trend 
towards the hallucinogenic drug.

Police are also preparing to tackle the drug's popularity by 
targeting it during raids for other illicit substances.

Regional crime adviser Acting Superintendent Gary Bruce said police 
had noticed that people selling LSD also had cannabis, cocaine and 
amphetamines but the acid was much cheaper.

One drop of LSD on a lolly, piece of paper, small biscuit or even a 
sugar cube was sold for just $10, compared to $25 for the popular 
ecstasy pills.

"To be quite honest we are not completely sure why the shift in 
preference," Supt Bruce said.

"It may have a little to do with the cost.

"What we have found of late on operations is that while one person 
might not have access to LSD, they will exchange some cannabis for that drug.

"They are also more open to exchanging or buying product from other dealers.

"I think part of it is the cheapness, but it's that unusualness of it 
that is probably interesting these people to experiment with a drug 
that they haven't tried before."

Supt Bruce said it was traditionally very hard to detect LSD during 
general raids because it could be stored on paper in a person's 
wallet or in a bag of food.

Drug dogs were trained to identify the substance, but were not taken 
on every raid.

"Certainly we will be looking at changing our approach a little bit 
to take into account the increasing use of LSD," he said.

"The seizures here and the operations here will be discussed 
state-wide in terms of drug trends and policing.

"It's certainly a lot easier to access the drug now and we will be 
monitoring more closely that particular issue."

Over the past month, police have charged three men in the Geelong 
region with drug offences after allegedly finding large quantities of 
LSD in their possession.

Two of the most recent arrests involved young men who had allegedly 
planned to sell the drug at the Apollo Bay Music Festival.
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