INJECTING ROOMS ENCOURAGE DRUG USE SAY MOUNTIES
Drug injecting rooms in Vancouver Canada have been responsible for increasing drug use according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The Canadian Mounties believe that there is considerable evidence to show that injecting rooms decrease the perceived risks of illicit drug use which increases the number of drug users.
The Canadian police report shows that injecting room drug users are not being diverted into treatment programs to get them off drugs.
The report disclosed that overdose deaths increased in Vancouver between 2004 and 2005.
(Source: The Vancouver Sun, 11 December, 2006)
The Drug Advisory Council of Australia Comments
Like the injecting room in Kings Cross in Sydney the injecting room in Vancouver was set up on a trial basis.
Getting illicit drug users off drugs is the most effective way of reducing drug use and the risks to users.
Australian drug usage rates are five times higher than countries like Sweden that have successfully reduced the number of their drug users.
Australia should use its courts to direct drug users into detoxification and rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation programs should be audited to ensure that they are effective in getting users permanently free of drugs.
Australia should set targets to reduce the number of illicit drug users.
The target for Australia should be that no more than 4 per cent of teenagers should have used an illicit drug during the last 12 months.
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.
4/2007