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Drug Demand Must Reduce

The most senior police commander in Britain has told a group of parliamentarians that action is necessary to reduce demand for the use of illicit drugs.

Anyone caught with drugs in their system should be offered help to stop, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner believes.

The potency of cannabis has increased fivefold in the last half century with younger children at risk of major health damage.

The Commissioner advocates mandatory drug testing at work.

Reducing demand for illicit drugs is working in other countries and should be put in place in Britain to help users to quit.

(Source: Daily Mail newspaper UK 30 January 2013)

DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-

This senior official in the United Kingdom is offering good policy to the MP’s by using the successful policies of other countries.

Our Council supports the illicit drug demand reduction approach that is working to assist users to quit.

Identified illicit drug users need rehabilitation to get them free of drugs before they are addicted.

Because of the increased toxins in cannabis the harm to users and the risks to their mental health are now acute.

However, police know that a reduction in the number of illicit drug users will make the roads safer for every road user.

Reducing industrial accidents by drug affected employees will make the workplace safe for working families.

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Drug Demand Is 7 Billion

A study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that demand for illicit drugs in Australia in 2010 was 7 billion dollars.

The vast majority of illicit drug money is going directly to criminals that manufacture and distribute the illicit drugs.

The huge profit margin on illicit drugs is fuelling the demand.

More than half of the illicit drug expenditure is on cannabis.

Amphetamines, cocaine heroin and ecstasy account for the bulk of other illicit drug expenditure.

Only $361 million is spent on drug treatment.

(Source: The Melbourne Age newspaper 22 June 2013)

DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-

This latest estimate of illicit drug demand confirms what other Australian agencies are reporting that demand is high and criminals are reaping massive profits.

Most of the supposed drug treatment, which is grossly inadequate, is spent on drug maintenance programs that keep users on drugs.

With so little money spent on illicit drug rehabilitation that gets users off drugs it is little wonder that this demand remains high.

This high drug demand is putting pressure on Australian hospitals and mental health programs that have to deal with the proven harms of illicit drug use.

Now it’s time to switch over to the proven drug rehabilitation programs that get users off drugs and deny the international crime syndicates of their lucrative profits.

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Cocaine Traffickers Target Australia

Australia has been targeted by international criminal groups for cocaine smuggling.

These international criminal groups see a high growth potential in Australia because of the increasing demand for cocaine.

This increase in cocaine use in Australia has led to large seizures of cocaine at the border.

Cocaine seizures at the Australian border increased by two thirds in number and by 80 per cent in weight in 2010/11.

This region is increasingly becoming a smuggling route for cocaine.

(Source: International Narcotics Control Board report released 5 March 2013)

DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-

Cocaine demand in Australia is driving the increasing smuggling of cocaine.

Cocaine users are highly likely to be addicted.

Cocaine users are liable to death, heart attacks, stroke, depression, paranoia and hallucinations.

It is in Australia’s best interests that the demand for cocaine is reduced and not seen as a potential market for criminals.

By reducing cocaine demand we will cut off the money to the international smugglers, help users to reduce health risks, take the pressure off border protection and improve our image.

It’s time Australia expanded drug rehabilitation and implemented diversion of users into mandated rehabilitation.

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Cannabis Use Increases

A major medical study has found the use of cannabis increases in locations when cannabis is used as a medicine.

As well, dependence on cannabis increases where cannabis is normalized.

The study was undertaken by the Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute.

(Source: National Institute of Health USA)

DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-

Cannabis use and dependence increases when it is seen as not harmful because public perception does not know of the harms.

When cannabis use is normalized then the message is sent out that it is not harmful - but it is.

Findings of major psychiatric agencies confirms cannabis harms and supports other studies that show that cannabis causes psychosis and schizophrenia.

Cannabis normalization in Australia sends the wrong message.

The medicalization of cannabis in Australia also sends the wrong message to vulnerable young people who should be warned of the psychiatric risks.

Why then are parliamentary committees investigating the medicalization of cannabis?

Surely cannabis, as the most commonly used illicit drug in Australia, needs to be suppressed and not encouraged?

Community leaders need to listen to the warnings of mental health professionals.