Drug use worries or young
Drugs are the main worry of Australian young people.
Three out of every ten young Australians aged between 11 and 24 years have revealed that drugs and how to handle peer group pressure concern them the most.
The latest survey of more than 47,000 young Australians in this age group are worried about how drugs will affect their friends, families and their community.
(Source: Mission Australia 2009 National Survey of Young Australians)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
This latest survey is worrying because these young Australians are constantly faced with drug use issues.
They have personal accounts of friends and families that have been personally harmed by drug use so they know first hand the problems.
Whilst accurate information about the harms of illicit drugs is absolutely essential to dissuade them from experimenting, what is lacking is assistance to help them resist peer group pressure.
They do not feel equipped to deal with the issue of illicit drugs.
Drug prevention must have at its core-skills to resist pressure, accurate scientific knowledge of drug harms and a clear message from the community to stay clear of illicit drugs.
The benefits of preventing initial illicit drug use include prevention of damage to the adolescent developing brain and prevention of graduation to drug addiction.
World's best practice has shown that prevention of drug use before age 20 is the best insurance of preventing illicit drug use in adulthood.
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.
45/2009
