LEGAL DRUGS PRODUCES MORE HARM
The legalization of illicit drugs will lead to greater usage and as a consequence greater harms according to one new social commentary.
Legalized cannabis in the Netherlands caused a tripling of usage amongst 18-20 year olds from 15 per cent to 44 per cent.
The fact that illicit drugs are illegal is certainly holding down their usage.
Governments make laws to prevent people from harming themselves in areas like helmets and seat belts, so keeping illicit drugs illegal is just par for the course.
Also there are the consequences for others like drug addicted newborn babies, drug caused motor deaths and accidents and victims of drug related crime.
(Source: In Defense of the Drug War, by John Hawkins, Human Events Online at www.humanevents.com)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
Our Council supports the possession and use of illicit drugs to remain illegal.
Those calling for illicit drugs to become legal are in effect allowing the scientifically proven harms to become more widespread in Australia.
Demand is very high for illicit drugs in Australia so increased usage from even higher demand would cause even more damage.
Australia needs to reduce illicit drug usage by adopting world’s best practice of placing identified drug users into programs to get them free of drugs.
Australia must reduce demand for illicit drugs by getting our users off drugs by court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
28/2009