Australian state to jail drug dealers targeting school children for 25 years

Drug dealers caught trafficking to school children could face a maximum jail term of 25 years, under new legislation to go before an Australian state's parliament this week.

Premier Daniel Andrews of Victoria state said on Tuesday those pedalling drugs were increasingly targeting kids just outside of school grounds, an intolerable act which warranted a lengthy stay in prison.

"We need to send ... a strong message that we won't tolerate anybody trying to get young kids into the clutches of this evil poison," Andrews said on Melbourne radio.

Andrews said the harsh stance would hopefully make drug traffickers think twice about trying to introduce children to destructive, illicit substances like ice - also known as methamphetamine - which an estimated 1.9 percent of Victorians over the age of 14 used at least once last year.

The premier said recent data showed the despicable act of drug dealers preying on innocent-minded children was on the rise. Four instances were recorded by Victoria Police in 2011, a figure which grew to 28 in 2014.

The legislation is expected to be tabled in parliament sometime over the course of this week.

The legislation will also carry into law a 5-year maximum sentence for drug dealers who extort clients to sell drugs, as well as giving police the power to charge landlords who allow tenants to cultivate or manufacturer drugs on their property.

"I would hope everybody would vote for this. It is exactly what we need," Andrews said.

However, the new legislation may not be fully passed through both of Victoria's parliamentary chambers until late December and subsequently won't be implemented until the early stages of 2016. Enditem