With thanks to Drug Blog contributor Paul Gallagher, who posts to the ADCA update list with comprehensive links on current online news and debate in relation to AOD:

*Girls and Gangs:
They take drugs. They are sexually active. They are involved in violence. They are girls who are associated with gangs, and the perception from schools, state agencies and even families is that they are beyond help.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=68188

*Drug Laws Don’t Protect public:
The authors of a new study showing illicit drug use cost Australian business $3.3 billion in one year say the law enforcement approach to drugs has failed to protect people and commerce.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/NATIONAL/Drug-laws-dont-protect-public-study/2007/04/23/1177180511324.html

*Cannabis related Psychosis to rise:
If cannabis causes schizophrenia – and that remains the question – then by 2010 up to 25% of new cases of schizophrenia in the UK may be due to cannabis, according to a study just published in Addiction journal.
http://www.addictionjournal.org/viewpressrelease.asp?pr=59

*Aussie ‘War on Ice’ targets foreign supply:
Australian police will increase their presence overseas as part of the federal government’s new push to tackle the ice epidemic, says Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Mick Keelty.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/war-on-ice-targets-foreign-supply/2007/04/23/1177180525359.html

*Evidence based Drug Education seen as reason to be optimistic:
Findings – Most of the approaches to drug education which have been tried have failed to change young people’s drug-related behaviour, but there is reason to feel optimistic about more informed, evidence based, multi-component approaches, such as the English “Blueprint” programme.
http://drugeducationforum.blogspot.com/2007/04/drugs-education-sitting-still-on-circle.html

*Breath of Air for cannabis vapourizers:
Discussion..;
These results suggest that the respiratory effects of cannabis can decrease with the use of a vaporizer. The data reveal that respiratory symptoms like cough, phlegm, and tightness in the chest increase with cigarette use and cannabis use, but are less severe among users of a vaporizer. Because a sample this large can produce statistically significant effects that might not be clinically meaningful, a focus on odds ratios could prove fruitful. The odds ratio suggests that vaporizer users are only 40% as likely to report respiratory symptoms as users who do not vaporize, even when age, sex, cigarette use, and amount of cannabis consumed are controlled.
http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/4/1/11

*Policing Harm Reduction:
Across the world, law enforcement agencies have been actively involved in research and practice that reflects the overall spirit of harm reduction. Paradoxically, there is also a wealth of research demonstrating how irresponsible or inappropriate policing, drug law enforcement and “crackdowns” on drug using communities can actually increase drug-related harms.
http://www.ihra.net/Policing

*Parenting Through the Haze:

“I smoke pot once in a while. I have a good job, my marriage is strong and I’m in decent shape. It’s never been a problem for me. So what do I tell my kid if I think they’re smoking?” Or worse, what do I say if they find my stash?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/04/22/CMGD3OTD9D1.DTL&hw=drugs&sn=001&sc=1000

*Alcohol, Pregnancy – a simple gamble:
IS IT really all right to have a couple if glasses of wine every now and then if you’re pregnant? The dispute over how much alcohol is safe has left some women confused.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/even-the-experts-are-unsure-how-much-is-safe/2007/04/21/1176697155276.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

*INCB Attacks Drug Consumption Rooms:
http://www.ihra.net/News#INCBAttacksDrugConsumptionRooms(Again)

*Claims MSIC is a Failure are ‘offensive’;
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21606156-5005961,00.html

Yesterday the Prime Minister announced his funding increase for the Tough on Drug Strategy. Since the announcement there has been significant media interest, albeit from the ‘Ice’ viewpoint. The extra money for extra rehab places and education in relation to amphetamine-related substances is obviously welcome. However, Dr Alex Wodak’s comments today on the heavy weighting on monies toward illicits when compared to the harms of licit drugs rang true and is an issue AOD professionals across the whole ideological spectrum would tend to agree with. But in an election year, election promises targeted at parents of teenagers is a staple and nothing gets more attention from parents than drug use amongst teenagers, even if the chances of their child using ‘Ice’ is minimal compared to the licit drugs.

The text in full of the PM’s announcement:

“The Australian Government will target the scourge of Ice in a tough new offensive against illicit drugs unveiled today.

I am pleased to announce additional funding of $150 million to combat amphetamine-type stimulants, strengthening my Government’s zero tolerance approach to illicit drugs.

The package that I am announcing today provides specific measures to address amphetamine-type stimulants, especially the toxic and highly addictive drug crystal methamphetamine or Ice. The new funding will provide:

– new drug rehabilitation services and further support for the non-government organisation (NGO) drug and alcohol sector;
– more drug prevention education for young Australians and support to their parents; and
– an increase in the Government’s law enforcement efforts.

Ice has become a menace in our society, tearing apart many Australian families and communities. The problem of illicit drugs is a national one and requires a concerted effort by all governments and the community. My Government has a strong track record in tackling drug problems, but more needs to be done to combat amphetamine-type stimulants.

I am pleased to announce a package of additional funding of $150 million to 2010-11 to boost the Government’s fight against illicit drugs. Since 1997, the Australian Government has invested more than $1.3 billion in the successful Tough on Drugs Strategy.

There is clear evidence that the Government’s zero tolerance approach is working, with the:

– percentage of Australians using illicit drugs dropping from 22 per cent in 1998 to 15 per cent in 2004;
– proportion of Australians using cannabis decreasing from 17.9 per cent in 1998 to 11.3 per cent in 2004;
– number of heroin overdose deaths falling from more than 1,100 in 1999 to 374 in 2005; and
– Australian Government’s law enforcement agencies preventing more than 14 tonnes of illicit drugs from reaching Australian streets.

However, we know there are other emerging problems, including the increasing use and availability of new drugs, such as methamphetamines like Ice. The measures I am announcing today are aimed at strengthening our approach so that we are able to tackle these issues.

More Rehabilitation Services and Support for the Drug and Alcohol Sector

There are about 73,000 individuals addicted to methamphetamines and almost one in 10 Australians have used an amphetamine-type stimulant at least once. Helping individuals through rehabilitation is a fundamental element of the strategy. NGOs provide many of these services and help hundreds of individuals to deal with their addiction each year, but these organisations face increasing demands for their services and rising costs of care.

The Government will provide additional funding of $79.5 million over four years to the NGO drug and alcohol treatment sector to increase rehabilitation services. This funding will deliver more rehabilitation services, including services for youth and families. An additional $22.9 million over two years will also be provided to the sector for investment in infrastructure and resources to better equip organisations to deliver effective treatment for amphetamine-type stimulant use. This recognises that the treatment for drugs such as Ice requires different methods and that addicts often experience psychosis, paranoia and aggression.

The additional investment will take the total funding for NGO drug and alcohol treatment services to more than $170 million over the next four years.

Strengthening Drug Prevention Education

An independent evaluation of the previous national drugs campaign found that more than 90 per cent of 15 to 17 year olds were willing to talk to their parents about illicit drugs and that parents could influence their children to not use drugs. An additional $9.2 million will be provided over the next two years to supplement the $23.7 million in funding for the national drugs campaign. It is vital that parents and their children have up-to-date and accurate information about the dangers of illicit drug use, including Ice. The third phase of the national drugs campaign will commence shortly and the parents’ booklet Talking with your kids about drugs will be updated and distributed to all households. Drug prevention resources will also be developed for teachers to use in school based drug education.

Increasing Australia’s Law Enforcement Efforts

Australia sits next to the world’s largest amphetamine-type stimulants manufacturing region with around half of all production taking place in South-East and East Asia. Over the past decade we have also seen a major increase in the number of illegal laboratories detected here in Australia. The Government will provide additional resources of $37.9 million over four years to strengthen law enforcement efforts offshore, at the border and domestically.

More funding will be provided to the Australian Crime Commission to investigate organised crime drug distribution networks and to keep track of emerging illicit drug trends. The Commission’s technical capabilities will also be strengthened to intercept and disrupt criminal groups and individuals involved in the manufacture, importation and distribution of illicit drugs.

The Australian Federal Police will establish a new team which can be rapidly deployed anywhere in Australia or the Asia Pacific region to investigate amphetamine-type stimulants related offences. The International Liaison Officer Network will also be expanded to increase the flow of criminal intelligence and enhance international cooperation in tackling amphetamine-type stimulants in the region.

The Australian Institute of Criminology will expand its Drug Use Monitoring in Australia project to Darwin and Melbourne to further improve the government’s evidence base and understanding of amphetamine-type stimulants markets, including its use and treatment needs. New equipment will also be deployed at the Australian border to improve Customs’ detection of methamphetamines and other synthetic drugs and their precursors.

The funding package I have announced today further strengthens the Government’s Tough on Drugs Strategy with a balanced and comprehensive response to the menace of illicit drugs in our community.”

 Reader Greg has made a valid point in commenting on a previous topic:

 “I have been following with great interest the submissions and transcripts into the Standing Commission on Family and Human Services into the Impact of illicit drug use on families.

Some of the statements made in these hearings, by both the witnesses and those sitting on the panel (and I particularly refer to the chair, Bronwyn Bishop here) have been absolutely outragous – full of misinformation, personal attacks on some very respected individuals within the AOD field, muddled terminology, inflamatory accusations and overall, show a total lack of humanity.

I urge all in the AOD sector to read these transcripts, as there is an obvious political agenda driving this committee.

I dread to think what results will be published from this, as it is fairly obvious that the members of the committee have already made up their minds about the issues under discussion and are determined to undermine the current National Drug Strategy.

The link for the Hansard transcripts is below:

http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/reps/commttee/committee_transcript.asp?MODE=YEAR&ID=124&YEAR=2007 ”

This led me to muse on the number of Senate hearings on various AOD and Mental Health matters over the decades and to ask the obvious question – has any of it achieved real legislative change? Personally I’m a big believer in the Senate and its oversight role, but with the givernment having a Senate majority, has its demeanour changed?
I’d be particularly interested in hearing from anyone who attended the hearings for their perspective – anonymously is fine.