REDUCING SPEED

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia is part of a scheme to block criminal access to pseudo ephedrine based medications used to manufacture the illicit drug SPEED.

The scheme involves recording purchases on an online system linked to police and requires purchaser identification.

A trial in Queensland successfully reduced the diversion of pharmaceuticals to criminals and led to 15 arrests since January 2006.

The online reporting system gives police and health authorities’ real time access to a data base of suspicious purchases.

(Source: Media Release, Pharmacy Guild of Australia www.guild.org.au)

DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA COMMENTS-

The use of the illicit drug SPEED at clubs and pubs is driving the demand for SPEED.

SPEED along with other club drugs are used by young, well educated and wealthy Australians ignorant of its long term damage their health.

SPEED users are prone to unpredictable violence, aggression, paranoia, brain damage, high body temperature, heart attack, stroke and immune system damage.

SPEED is addictive and use can cause dysfunctional relationships and work, study, financial and legal problems.

The MOST effective way to stop Australians using SPEED is to reduce the demand by diverting users into detoxification and rehabilitation.

Countries that have successfully cut off money flowing to criminals use their courts to direct users into detoxification and rehabilitation.

THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-

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.

29/2006