New draft strategy to continue to reduce harmful impacts of drug use

ACT Health Minister, Katy Gallagher MLA, has released a draft of the ACT Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Strategy 2010–2014 for broader community consultation.

“The measures outlined in the draft Strategy aim to build upon the success of our past strategies in reducing the harmful impacts of drug use in our community,” Ms Gallagher said.

The success of recent drug strategies is illustrated by a reduction in drug use in the ACT:

• daily tobacco smoking rates decreased from 18.4% in 2001 to 14.7% during 2007 and were lower than the national rate (16.6%)
• consumption of alcohol at levels jeopardising health in the short term (so called “binge drinking measured by one or more occasions yearly) decreased slightly from 39.1% in 2001 to 36.1% in 2007
• consumption of any illicit drug in the year prior to survey decreased from 18.1% of respondents in the 12 months to 2001 to 13.8% in the 12 months to 2007
• the overall reduction in illicit drug use was driven mainly by the decrease in cannabis use –  down from 14.4% in 2001 to 9.1% in 2007, and
• the pattern of ecstasy use remained stable between 2001 and 2007, however the use of other amphetamines dropped (4.5% in 2001 to 2.3% in 2007) by almost 50% over this period.

“Tobacco and alcohol are the drugs that cause the most harm in Australian society. Together, they account for 92% of Australian drug-related deaths, 84% of the drug-related burden of disease and injury, and 83% of the drug-related social costs,” Ms Gallagher said.

“This draft Strategy focuses on the drugs associated with the greatest harms and responds with measures understood to be the most effective.

“To respond even more effectively to drug use and related harms, we recognise that a broad approach is required – one that includes liquor licensing and road safety reform, drug education with both drug prevention and harm reduction approaches, and more accessible drug treatment,” she said.

“We also need to remember that issues like drug use impact upon population groups differently. Where appropriate, this Strategy identifies priority population groups for special consideration in the implementation of the Strategy Action Plan such as people in detention and those with mental health issues.

“I want to thank those key stakeholders, including many from the ACT’s highly experienced alcohol and other drug services sector, for their important contributions towards developing the draft Strategy. I am pleased to release it now for broader community consultation.” 

For more information, or to contribute to the draft ACT Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Strategy 2010–2014, visit www.health.act.gov.au/communityconsultation.
 

2 December 2009