Detoxification and rehabilitation does work
In Sweden, detoxification and rehabilitation is a key part of Government policy to get addicts drug free and all political parties agree that -
- The objective of all Government policies must be a drug free society
- No person has been put in jail in the past 30 years for using drugs, there are drug users in jail but they have committed other crimes
- Treatment ranges from counseling sessions for the addict and their family, to compulsory treatment for addicts who are unable to break their addiction
- All treatment is funded entirely by government money raised by taxes
- In 1988 strong laws were passed providing court ordered & supervised compulsory detoxification and rehabilitation for drug users
- Rehabilitation is well organized and addicts can stay in treatment for as long as they need (1, 2 or 3 years), and if addicts leave they can re-enter at any time
- Rehabilitation is run by many groups including government with emphasis on learning to live as a family member
- 7 or 8 out of 10 former addicts forced into compulsory rehabilitation are still drug free after 5 years, and success is higher for former addicts who were voluntary
- Many rehabilitation centers of 4 to 6 addicts are in small towns or farms providing a family environment for an addict
- Rehabilitating addicts are taught life skills and can get University degrees
- Many rehabilitation centers have now closed down because of a lack of addicts
Source: Malou Lindholm former teacher & Swedish European Parliament MP 30/6/00
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.
FACT SHEET M12
