NEWS : 25.6.09 - 'Spend more' on drug harm reduction

[kingpin007]

'Spend more' on drug harm reduction

June 25, 2009

STATE governments must give more support for frontline anti-drug programs despite a report saying global markets for cocaine, opiates and marijuana are steady or in decline, an expert says.

The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime's annual world drug report for 2009 found about 28 million people worldwide were heavy drug users likely to be physically or psychologically dependent on drugs.

But production of opium and coca had declined significantly, the report found.

The chief executive of Anex, the Association from Prevention and Harm Reduction Strategies Australia, John Ryan, said the Federal Government was spending more money than ever to strategically manage drug use.

But under the latest national health care agreement, spending by the states in harm reduction such as needle exchanges had "flatlined", with some funding being channelled into general health spending.

"This is leading to a debilitating effect on Australia's harm reduction programs. In addition, agencies delivering programs are spending their time arguing for money rather than controlling drug problems," he said.

Coordinated international policing, supported directly by the Federal Government, had made a significant impact on the amount of drugs available in Australia, Mr Ryan said.

"All of these gains could be jeopardised if we go backwards on demand reduction strategies," he said.

"It is imperative that we ensure significant support for frontline services is in place to reduce demand for drugs.

"We are now at a pivot point in our drug strategy. We cannot run the risk of downgrading services that reduce demand and control problems, otherwise suppliers will find ways to increase quantities arriving on our shores."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25687388-26103,00.html

 

[phase_dancer]

What! This has got to be one of the most important news article for ages and no-one has yet responded??!!

Well, I'll begin by saying it'll certainly be interesting to see if the United Nations revert back to recommending Harm Reduction. No doubt that will reflect the general change in attitude towards reform that's coming out of the US atm; amendments to the Crack/Cocaine penalty variation, California set to vote on legalising marijuana, legislative changes that would wipe criminal records etc. Even Mexico is talking of decriminalisation for small amounts (see news BL home page ).

This news article is an example of the neck and neck situation most of us knew would come about at some time; that which exists between HR/ reform advocates and those who feel demand reduction can only lie only with scare campaigns and tougher enforcement. Their ideals centre on eliminating drug use altogether, rather than the realistic and achievable approach of reducing the consequences of using drugs - which also equates to reducing use. Harm Reduction is often seen as a thorn in the side of prohibition simply because it employs a non-judgemental position and provides a safety net for those who will use regardless.

Perhaps the most powerful argument for an increased HR focus - and one which is rarely seen in the media or discussed in public for that matter, is that a significant proportion of users are shifting to newer or more novel substances. This alone considerably reduces the ability for prohibition based demand reduction to produce effective outcomes - if you don't know what or even who you're fighting, how do you know where and when to attack? Of course, the further muddying the legislative waters through the availability and popularity of novel substances, means things become quite messy in regards to developing new prohibition based strategies.