UPDATE: Pakenham has been identified as Victoria’s worst suburb for drug driving, with police intercepting 358 drug drivers during the 2024-25 financial year. This alarming statistic highlights a troubling trend as authorities report that Pakenham’s drug drivers outnumber those in the second-worst suburb, Dandenong, by a staggering threefold.
In a shocking development, police are catching at least one drug driver every day in Pakenham, located on Melbourne’s south-eastern outer fringe. The area has become a hotspot for drug-related driving offenses, raising serious public safety concerns.
The broader region encompassing Greater Dandenong, Casey, and Cardinia accounts for nearly one in five of all drug drivers in Victoria, with 1,460 offenders recorded. This figure dwarfs the drug-driving incidents reported in Greater Geelong, which ranks as the second-worst area.
Authorities report that a staggering 70 percent of the drug drivers caught in Pakenham were under the influence of methamphetamine. Additionally, 43 percent tested positive for both methamphetamine and THC, the active component in cannabis. Alarmingly, 25 percent of these offenders were found to be unauthorized drivers.
“It’s not only extremely concerning that half of drug drivers in our area have been caught for the same offense before, but also reckless,” stated Cardinia Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Kristina Tabone. She emphasized the tragic consequences often seen on the roads due to these poor choices.
The statistics reveal that the broader region also leads Victoria in collisions involving drug and alcohol-impaired drivers, with a troubling 60 percent of those apprehended being repeat offenders. Police are ramping up efforts to tackle this crisis, concentrating resources in Pakenham and its surrounding communities to curb the rising trend of drug driving.
In addition to Pakenham and Dandenong, other areas like Frankston and Shepparton are also highlighted as high-risk locations for drug driving incidents. Over the past two decades, Pakenham has transformed from a quaint country town into a bustling suburb, with its population soaring from 17,225 in 2000 to nearly 55,000 in 2021. Projections suggest the population could reach 83,000 by 2041, further intensifying the need for effective law enforcement strategies.
As the situation develops, it is crucial for residents and authorities alike to remain vigilant. The community’s safety is at stake, and immediate action is necessary to prevent further tragedies on the roads. Stay tuned for more updates as police continue to combat this pressing issue in Pakenham and beyond.
