DRUGS LINK TO MENTAL ILLNESS & DEATHS
The number of people admitted to hospital in England and Wales with mental illnesses linked to the use of illicit drugs has doubled in the last decade.
The National Health System Information Centre disclosed that 38,170 adults and children were admitted with drug related mental and behavioral disorder in 2006/7.
Men were twice as likely to be admitted to hospital as women.
Men accounted for 80 per cent of the illicit drug related deaths in 2006.
In 2006/7 13 per cent of men in England and Wales reported taking illicit drugs during the last year compared with 7 per cent of women.
(Source: The Guardian Newspaper UK 15 August 2008)
The Drug Advisory Council of Australia comments-
Illicit drug use in Australia is higher than it is in England and Wales so we can expect a similar impact on our drug using population.
Drug deaths in Australia in 2005 were 586 which was a decrease over past years due mainly to the heroin drought.
With Australian Federal Police warning that the record supply of heroin from Afghanistan likely to impact on Australia- the mental illness and drug related deaths are likely to increase.
Australia NEEDS a comprehensive NATIONAL early intervention prevention and rehabilitation system that REDUCES drug use.
Australian court ordered and supervised detoxification and rehabilitation programs are now ESSENTIAL.
Australia NEEDS a clear commitment to reduce the demand for illicit drugs and the number of illicit drug users.
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.
32/2008