DRUG EPIDEMIC FACTORS
The permissive social and cultural norms in relation to the use of an addictive drug are the key determining factors as to whether a drug epidemic will grow.
The more permissive the norms the more likely the drug epidemic.
Whilst availability of illicit drugs, purchase money, opportunity and environment of drug use are important, a permissive culture will facilitate a drug epidemic.
(Source: 2006 Arthur Mills Oration given to the Royal College of Physicians by Noel Pearson 7 May 2006)
The Drug Advisory Council of Australia Comments
Australian Aboriginal community leaders like Noel Pearson clearly understand why illicit drug epidemics impact on their communities.
Community norms that accept illicit drug use as inevitable fuel epidemics, increase the harm for drug users and the cost to governments.
Countries like Sweden have explicit drug policies that state that illicit drug use must remain unacceptable behavior and will never become an integral part of society. Australia has not adopted these policy objectives.
Australia’s illicit drug epidemic IS based on permissive social and cultural norms that accept drug use.
Australian illicit drug policies are based on abuse of illicit drugs when in fact they should be based on USE of illicit drugs.
No illicit drug USE should be the policy position of governments in Australia because there is NO SAFE USE OF ILLICIT DRUGS.
An Australian drug policy objective should be - a substantial reduction in 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. 43/2006