Phil Donato spent two decades as a policement and 16 years as a prosecutor, including a long stint seeing the passing parade of crime in the Bathurst Local Court.

He has now turned his attention to politics and is contesting the Orange state byelection as a candidate for the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.

Mr Donato credits drug addiction as the driving force behind most crime in the Central Weat and says it is time for the community to acknowledge the impact drugs are having on young people.

“I’ve seen direct evidence of children as of that age (pre-teen) who are coming to court and their solicitors are saying they’re exposed to these drugs at such a young age,” Mr Donato said.

He said many young people are introduced to drugs by their parents or older siblings.

“Children as young as 10 or 11 are starting to dabble in cannabis. Unscrupulous drug dealers are using cannabis and lace it methamphetamine or ice to make the drug more addictive,” he said.

Mr Donato wants preventative education introduced for students in primary school.

“By the time children are in high school, it’s too late, it needs to start in Years 5 and 6,” he said.

“These kids have to be told of the danger of these drugs so they can make a better informed decision.

“It’s leading to psychotic episodes and violent offences which leads them into the criminal justice system and drug dependency.”

Mr Donato described methamphetamine, and the growing popularity of crystal methamphetamine (ice), as an “insidious, disgusting drug”.

“It’s concocted in dirty, clandestine backyard labs, it’s cooked up by criminals with a sole motivation of profit, they make the drug as cheaply as possible,” he said.

“They’re cutting it with battery acid, bleach, their own urine and animal faeces. You don’t know what you’re buying.”

He said people trying to feed their addictions were responsible for crime such as shoplifting, break and enters, bag snatching and stealing from cars.

“They’re stealing razor blades, deodorants, clothing, food, perfume and AA batteries, things that can be unloaded quickly,” he said.

“Most of the break and enters committed would be by ice addicts.”