Harm Reduction not effective says expert
A leading UK expert on illicit drugs has called for a review of harm reduction policies.
Policies that get users off drugs and into treatment as well as preventing illicit drug use will be necessary in the future for the worsening drug situation in Britain.
Professor Neil McKeganey, Director of the Centre of Drug Misuse Research at Glasgow University argues that harm reduction policies like Methadone prescription have not been successful in getting users off drugs.
(Source: Addiction Research and Theory, Media Release 17 November, 2006)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
These proposals of getting users off drugs and into detoxification and rehabilitation and also preventing drug use are the key policies of our Council.
Harm reduction or harm minimization policies that have been applied in Australia have NOT worked as evidenced by the high drug use in Australia.
Australian drug usage rates are five times higher than countries like Sweden that have their successfully reduced the number of drug users in their country.
Australia does not use its courts to direct all drug users into detoxification and rehabilitation.
Also rehabilitation programs should be audited to ensure that they are effective in getting users free of drugs and keeping them permanently drug free.
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.
3/2007
