Scots back drug rehabilitation
The Scottish government has backed a new policy to get illicit drug users into drug rehabilitation rather than drug maintenance.
In Scotland 22,000 heroin addicts are maintained on Methadone in a cycle of drug dependency which has not worked.
The new drug strategy has used the central idea of- recovery to a drug free lifestyle.
The Scottish government believes too many illicit drug users are parked on Methadone or drug maintenance or in jail terms.
(Source: The Scotsman newspaper, 30 May 2008)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
This new drug policy by the Scottish government needs to be copied in Australia to reduce the drug using population.
A drug maintenance program like Methadone is expensive for governments and does not work in getting illicit drug users off drug use.
Methadone use has contributed to a number of deaths in Australia.
Illicit drug users want to get off drugs and want rehabilitation services to help them rather than keep them using drugs.
Court ordered and supervised drug detoxification and then rehabilitation has been proven by overseas experience as the best policy for illicit drug users.
Australia NEEDS a comprehensive and effective drug detoxification and rehabilitation system to be set up.
What works in rehabilitation is to get Australians off illicit drug use.
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.
20/2008
