DRUG ECONOMICS
United States authorities are celebrating the weak US dollar because it makes illicit drugs more expensive in that country.
In the past a strong US dollar has meant that illicit drugs are cheaper to import into the United States so that more drugs are purchased for the same US dollar.
Border protection agencies in the United States are having an easier time because of the weak US dollar as a US dollar buys less illicit drugs.
A weak US dollar forces street drug prices to increase for all imported illicit drugs.
Higher prices for imported illicit drugs are a deterrent to drug use.
(Source: The Independent Record, 11 November 2007)
The Drug Advisory Council of Australia Comments
Conversely Australia has a strong currency which makes imported drugs cheaper and easier to get.
That is, a strong Australia dollar will buy more imported illicit drugs.
This is another reason why Australia MUST reduce its illicit drug using population – that is to reduce its demand for drugs.
Australian border protection agencies, unlike their US counterparts, will be placed under more pressure with cheaper illicit drugs.
Australia can substantially reduce drug demand by diverting illicit drug users into court ordered and supervised detoxification and rehabilitation then cheaper drugs will not be an issue.
Lets ditch harm minimization for world’s best practice.
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.
43/2007