The 2012 United Nations World Drug Report shows that Australians and New Zealanders are the highest users of illicit drugs in the world. Drugs such as cocaine are on the rise, and all drugs except heroin, ‘remain much higher than the global average’.

Drug Free Australia’s Executive Officer, Jo Baxter is very concerned, but unfortunately, not surprised by this worrying trend. For over 27 years, Australia has endured a policy of Harm Minimisation and has not focussed on primary prevention of drug use. Sadly, our youth are the victims of intergenerational drug use and permissive laws that send a message that these drugs are safe. .

However our hospital admissions and escalating rates of mental health tell the true tale, as does increasing violence against nursing and medical staff in our hospitals, related to illicit drug use. The numbers of people who are waiting in line for treatment and rehabilitation is a national disgrace. Once people are addicted to illicit drugs, including cannabis, they find it extremely difficult to recover. Too many of them are put on drug maintenance programs, rather than encouraging them to stop using. .

We must change our illicit drug policy to one of Harm Prevention, similar to the initiatives now being implemented in the UK. Sweden is another country that has tried and rejected Harm Reduction in favour of Harm Prevention. .

Most importantly, Australia’s drug policy needs to re-focus on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, if we are to create the much needed ‘circuit breaker’ in drug use in this country. Article 33 of that Convention states that: Member States “shall take all appropriate measures, including legislative, administrative, social and educational measures, to protect children from the illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as defined in the relevant international treaties, and to prevent the use of children in the illicit production and trafficking of such substances”..

Recent debate about legalising drugs will only exacerbate the problem and set up a framework that will destroy the next generation. .

Refer to our documents on drug legalization issues at: www.drugfree.org.au

For further comment – contact Jo Baxter – 0403 334 002

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