A better use for $150 million
Australian taxpayers have spent $150 million in 10 years in providing syringes to illicit drug users.
In 1999/2000 a total of 31.8 million syringes were distributed to illicit drug users.
"Claims" were made that this expenditure saved 46,000 new cases of HIV and Hepatitis C and that 5000 lives will be saved by 2010 through this syringe distribution program.
The Standing Committee on Family and Community Affairs recommended that the Australian National Audit Office conduct a complete evaluation of the syringe program.
(Source: "Road to Recovery" Committee of House of Rep. August 2003)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
This program diverts taxes away from detoxification and rehabilitation.
A Health Department report disclosed that there is a epidemic of Hepatitis C with a 500,000 Australians likely to have hepatitis C by 2020.
This spread of Hepatitis C since the inception of the syringe distribution program needs to be investigated thoroughly.
Australian and overseas studies confirm clearly that in excess of 90% of new Hepatitis C infections occur by illicit drug users sharing syringes.
Making more syringes available IS the cause of the new infections.
Diverting illicit drug users into detoxification then rehabilitation to a drug free life is proven to reduce drug use and infections.
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.
6/2003
