Protecting Children From Drugs
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states at article 33-
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures, including legislative, administrative, social and educational measures, to protect children from the illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as defined in the relative international treaties, and to prevent the use of children in the illicit production and trafficking of such substances.
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
Australia is approaching the 21st anniversary of the proclaiming of this important convention.
All Australian national, state and territory governments are bound by this convention.
First illicit drug use by children in Australia is occurring at younger ages than ever before.
Children’s brain development continues well into their early twenties so illicit drug use has great potential to inflict brain damage at earlier ages.
Some illicit drug use damage is commencing even in the womb of their mother who has a drug addiction.
Some Australian children are under the influence of parents who are addicted to illicit drugs.
Identified illicit drug using children should be diverted into court directed and supervised drug rehabilitation.
When parents are addicted to illicit drugs they need drug rehabilitation and they need their children with them.
Australia is in desperate need for more drug rehabilitation programs that get users off drugs and to reduce the risks to children.
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.
23/2011
