Syringe Funds Wasted
A recent report confirmed that the Australian Government had spent $243 million in giving out syringes to illicit drug users.
(Source: Return on Investment 2 Report, Federal Department of Health and Aging, November 2009)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
This report highlights why injecting illicit drugs should not be treated as a health issue but viewed with the full impact on the whole community.
This $243 million should have been used to divert illicit drug users into detoxification and rehabilitation to get them drug free.
Injecting drug users have high levels of HIV and Hepatitis C infections because they do share syringes and they will not stop sharing.
The syringe programs are really distribution programs as very few are exchanged and syringes are given out by the box load.
Used syringes are left in public places and are used as weapons in crimes.
Rehabilitated injecting drug users are not at risk of blood infections.
Injecting drug use is causing major problems for policing, hospitals, health workers, ambulance staff and victims of crime.
Injecting illicit drug use has a major impact on trauma on our roads.
Injected illicit drugs are funding international criminal and terrorist groups.
Illicit drugs used for injecting are causing major problems for Australian border protection agencies.
Australia is bound by international treaties to rehabilitated drug users and reduce the number of users NOT to maintain 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.
42/2009
