Australia has a long and complicated history with drugs. Victoria, in particular, has had its share of problems with drug abuse and addiction. This has led to a number of initiatives and policies from the government in an attempt to address the issue.
Some of the key problems that Australia faces when it comes to drugs include:
– The increasing use of crystal methamphetamine, or “ice”
– The availability of drugs, especially ice
– The growing number of people addicted to drugs
These are just some of the challenges that Australia is currently facing when it comes to drug abuse. In Victoria, the government has been trying to crack down on drug dealers and make it harder for people to access drugs. However, this is proving to be difficult, as the availability of drugs continues to increase.
With Australia’s growing population, it is becoming increasingly difficult to address the drug issue. However, the government is committed to finding a solution, and is working hard to find ways to combat the problem. Drugs are a complex issue, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, the government is doing its best to come up with policies that will help to improve the situation.
In Australia, the drug problem is a major concern. Because there are so many options, thoughts, and sacrifices that must be made, finding a simple solution to this huge issue is impossible. When making such a crucial decision, all sides of the argument must be considered. To find a solution, various examinations, meetings, interviews, and research must be conducted to mention two.
In Victoria, there are a few main types of drugs that are causing the most harm. These are:
– Methamphetamine (speed, ice)
– MDMA (ecstasy)
– Cannabis
– Alcohol
Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that gives the user feelings of energy, happiness and talkativeness. MDMA is a psychoactive drug that causes euphoria and feelings of intimacy. Cannabis is a depressant drug that can cause relaxation and altered perceptions. Alcohol is a depressant drug that can cause intoxication, aggression and social problems.
The use of these drugs can have serious consequences for individuals, families and communities. Some of the impacts of drug use include:
– Health problems such as mental health problems, addiction, overdose and death
– Social problems such as violence, crime and anti-social behaviour
– Economic problems such as loss of productivity and unemployment
– Environmental problems such as damage to property and pollution
The harms of drug use can be reduced by adopting effective policies and programs. Some of the strategies that can be used are:
– Prevention programs that teach people about the risks of drug use
– Early intervention programs that provide support to people who are using drugs
– Treatment programs that help people with addiction or other health problems
– Harm reduction interventions that aim to reduce the harms associated with drug use
– Enforcement activities that aim to reduce the availability of drugs and arrest those involved in drug trafficking
Drug use is a problem that has many dimensions and concerns, according to Zajdow (1999, p.44). As a result of its scope, this serious issue involves not only one department but also numerous other departments. The police, who provide their strength and resources, Justice, who has the resources for jail, Health, which offers treatment programs, and Education which provides drug education to the community are just a few of them. These departments help the Government deal with the problem.
A 1998 report by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) indicated that Australia has a higher percentage of illicit drug users than any other developed country in the world (Dawson, 1998). The report also showed that Victoria had the highest proportion of illicit drug users in Australia. In 1998/99, there were over 104,000 admissions to hospital related to illegal drugs, with a total cost to the health system of $858 million (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2000).
This cost does not include indirect costs such as lost productivity or crime. The Australia Drug Foundation (ADF) estimates that alcohol and tobacco cost Australia more than $36 billion each year in social and economic costs ( Australia Drug Foundation, 2000).
This high cost is a major concern for the Australian Government. In 1999, the then Minister for Health and Aged Care, Michael Wooldridge, released a statement saying:
‘The use of illicit drugs is not only a health issue but also a social and economic issue. It causes immense harm to individuals, their families and the community. The estimated cost to Australia of illicit drug use is more than $10 billion each year.’ (Wooldridge, 1999)
It is clear that the Government views the drug issue as a significant problem that needs to be addressed.
There are many different ways that the Government tries to address the drug issue. One way is by providing funding to departments such as Health, Justice and Education. Another way is by passing legislation to try and prevent drug use. In Victoria, for example, the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act 1985 makes it illegal to possess, use, cultivate or traffic drugs (Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents, 1999).
The Government also tries to educate the community about the dangers of drug use. The Australia Drug Foundation (ADF) runs a national drug education program called ‘Drugs: Know Your Limits’. This program provides information about the different types of drugs, their effects and how to stay safe.
The Government’s main goal is to reduce the harm that drugs cause to individuals, their families and the community. It is clear that the Government is taking the drug issue seriously and is trying to address it in many different ways.
According to statistics published by the University of Melbourne, Australia’s State Emergency Service (SES), there are around 25,000 heroin users in Victoria (Hodder, p.10). This is a significant amount of individuals addicted to drugs, and it has been shown to rise over the last ten years, demonstrating that the drug problem is becoming a major issue for all Victorians. Some people believe that heroin users are not necessarily victims.
They are the people who inject it, they are the ones who make the choice to take it. However, if you think about it that is not really true. The people who take the heroin, or any other drug for that matter, arent just making a choice for themselves. They are also making a choice for all the people around them. When someone takes drugs, they are not just affecting themselves, but also their families and friends.
In 2002/2003 there were 85 deaths associated with heroin in Victoria (Hodder, p.10). This may not seem like a lot, but when you think about how many people that is, it is actually quite a lot. Thats 85 families who have lost someone because of heroin.
