A New Approach on Illicit Drugs in Victoria?
The Victorian Auditor General has produced a comprehensive report on drugs stating that Victorian drug services have remained unchanged.
The new Victorian government is to take a new approach on illicit drugs.
Admission that both illicit drugs and alcohol costs $14 billion every year in Victoria alone.
The new government has promised a whole of government prevention and treatment strategy.
(Source: Minister for Mental Health media release, 2 March 2011)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
This proposed prevention and treatment strategy must include truthful information on the harms of illicit drug use.
Any strategy should include detailed measurable objectives of what is to be achieved and by when.
The latest scientific research on the clear link between cannabis use and mental health must be part of any strategy.
Drug prevention programs to adolescents must now clearly focus on preventing ANY drug use.
Drug use by adolescents must be monitored annually and compared to world’s best practice such as in Sweden.
Where drug use has commenced, diversion into effective court supervised early intervention drug rehabilitation that leads to a drug free life must also be part of any strategy.
An annual community report on the progress of a drug strategy should be available to the Parliament.
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.
6/2011
