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`The Prime Ministers new package of treatment, training, education and research funding represents a combination of initiatives that will contribute to a reduction in drug problems
Professor Wayne Hall, director of the National Alcohol and Drug Research Centre
`Its time to decriminalise some soft drugs and to ease up on users, as distinct from large dealers, of harder drugs. Otherwise, law-abiding citizens will increasingly live frightened lives while our society is destroyed by the desperately addicted in pursuit of the seemingly unattainable
Gerard Henderson commentator for The Age and executive director of the Sydney Institute
On November 2, 1997, the prime minister, Mr John Howard, announced his governments drug strategy, titled, Tough on Drugs, the National Illicit Drug Strategy.
The strategy has immediately met with a mixed response. There are those who consider its blend of measures wise and who are heartened by the governments apparent resolve to address the problem. ...
Background
Australia has a significant illicit drug problem. Last year, it has been estimated, there were 12 heroin-related deaths every week. ... A harm minimisation approach tends to start from the premise that some level of drug-taking will always occur within a society and therefore governments need to adopt strategies which will help to reduce the risks drug users encounter.
Included among such strategies are needle exchange programs which have been employed in Australia and have been credited with having helped to control the incidence of HIV among Australian heroin users. Also part of a harm minimisation approach is the provision of safe injection venues and education programs which give information on how to use drugs with relative safety.
There are those who have suggested that a harm minimisation approach is incompatible with the prohibition of drugs. Currently the use of heroin is illegal in all Australian states and territories. ... In Queensland, on the other hand cultivation, possession and use of marijuana can attract fines of up to $30,000 and a jail term of up to 15 years.
Approximate Word count = 1515
Approximate Pages = 6.1
(250 words per page double spaced)
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