Strategies

Australia's National Drug Strategy involves a balance between demand reduction, supply reduction and harm reduction, and includes a renewed emphasis on prevention. The national response to the drug problem is an integrated one, involving law enforcement, health, prevention, education and treatment services. From a law enforcement perspective, although the mandate is to reduce the supply of illicit drugs to the Australian community, the AFP's focus is very much on prevention and partnerships with colleagues nationally and internationally.

Collaboration

Effective border control through collaboration with domestic partner agencies such as the Australian Border Force, state and territory police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission is the primary line of defence for combating drug importation into Australia. An example of this collaborative approach was Operation Inca, a major investigation into the importation of MDMA.

International network

Complementing effective border control within Australia, the AFP works collaboratively with international jurisdictions to take the fight against drugs offshore and prevent drugs reaching Australia.

Through the operation of its International Liaison Officer Network, the AFP undertakes a wide range of operational and training activities with foreign law enforcement agencies. The AFP aims to disrupt transnational criminal syndicates operating offshore to ensure that illicit drugs are seized at the earliest opportunity, thereby reducing the supply to Australia.

Forums

Australia is an active participant in international responses to illicit drug trafficking and precursor diversion. The AFP participates in the development of collective policy responses through forums such as the Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (HONLEA) for Asia and the Pacific and major donor group activities. The AFP also engages in joint operational responses to combat illicit drug trafficking.

The AFP is represented on a range of drug-related committees and councils, providing input into the development of strategies, initiatives and legislation. Examples of these include:

• Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD)
• Inter-governmental Committee on Drugs (IGCD)
• Asian Collaborative Group on Local Precursor Control (ACoG), South Pacific Precursor Control Forum (SPPCF) and other regional precursor-control capability forums
• National Precursor Working Group.