Drug Availability
The latest Australian national drug survey shows that illicit drugs are readily available in Australia.
More than 1 in 5 Australian males had cannabis offered to them in 2010 and this was an increase from 2007.
More than 1 in 8 Australian females had cannabis offered to them in 2010 and this was an increase from 2007.
About 1 in 10 males had the opportunity to use ecstasy in 2010 and 1 in 20 females had this exposure.
For illicit drugs like ICE, amphetamines, cocaine and hallucinogens 1 in 20 males had the opportunity to use these with females being less exposed to these drugs.
(Source: 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, released July 2011)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
Exposure to illicit drugs and the opportunity to use these shows how tempted young Australians are to drug use and their harms.
Most illicit drug use is by Australians in their late teens and twenties.
Clearly males are the most likely to take up the offer of illicit drugs when they are available.
Cannabis is the most commonly available illicit drug in Australia so the harm of mental illness, vehicle accidents and health problems are likely to continue well into the future.
All identified drug users should be diverted into court ordered and supervised detoxification and rehabilitation to get the users free of drug use quickly and permanently.
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.
40/2011
