A total of 48per cent of detainees in Footscray tested positive to heroin, the Drug Use Monitoring in Australia Program 2008 Report showed.

The next-highest levels out of nine other police stations across the country were Brisbane (13per cent) and Adelaide (11per cent).

Footscray also recorded the most positive tests for benzodiazepines (40per cent). Fifty-five per cent of detainees at Footscray attributed committing crimes to drug use - the highest of all police stations.

Inspector Ian Geddes said Footscray police encouraged the research, which includes voluntary surveys and urine tests of detainees, "so we actually know the extent of our problem".

He said drug use and crime were strongly linked, with 79per cent of detainees arrested for property offences such as house burglary and car theft.

"We know that our drug trade is driven by property crime, so we concentrate on apprehending those offenders." Inspector Geddes believes there is less heroin on Footscray streets than in the past.

"It goes with the way we have been disrupting the activity in Footscray and forcing that market away.

"The report shows that 78per cent of the offenders are fearful of being caught by the police while they are purchasing drugs. That is 20per cent higher than any other location in Australia because we apprehend more than anywhere else. But it is pretty hard to eradicate this altogether in a short time."

Inspector Geddes said police were trained in arresting inebriated people. "They get treated accordingly; you can't process a person in that condition. If they are drug-affected they are given medical attention. If they are drug users we will see what referral services are in place."

Footscray police have joined forces with Health Works in combating the drug and alcohol problem in the area.

"This isn't just a crime problem, it is a social justice issue.

"These people have mental health issues, intravenous drug issues, and in Footscray we go a long way to address all of those things."

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