Drugs

Introduction

Drugs, both legal and illegal, are a cause of considerable and growing concern across Australian society. Although only a minority of the community use illicit drugs, the related harms to the person using and to the community is significant. These harms include family and social difficulties, mental health issues, over-dose related deaths, transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C and other blood borne viruses, and involvement in drug related crime.  

The cost of prevention, treatment, loss of productivity in the workplace, property crime, theft, accidents and law enforcement activities associated with drugs and alcohol in Australia is as much as $18 billion (Australian Illicit Drug Report 1998 -1999).

Supply reduction initiatives primarily aim to prevent and reduce the availability of drugs. Partnerships can assist activities that aim to reduce drug supply. The National Drug Strategy recognises that optimum results are achieved in concert with demand and harm reduction strategies developed by engaging law enforcement, health and other regulatory agencies. NSW Police Force support and operate with the priorities set within the National Drug Strategy 2004-09.

NSW Police Force activities:

• make it more difficult for those involved in illicit drug supply
• increases the likelihood of people seeking treatment
• assist in prevention outcomes
• reduce funds available for illicit drug purchase by prosecuting associated crime
• reinforce the message that illicit drug use is not condoned by the community.

According to the National Drug Strategy, NSW Police Force should:

• disrupt the manufacture and supply of illicit drugs;
• enhance efforts to control the inappropriate supply and diversion of pharmaceutical drugs and pre-cursor chemicals;
• dismantle organised crime;
• implement effective legislation and regulatory regimes, and education programs for key justice and health professionals;
• implement effective legislation and regulation of alcohol, tobacco and other substances to reduce associated harms to the community; and
• examine mechanisms to ensure that all relevant stakeholders participate in implementing law enforcement strategies in all jurisdictions.

However, despite the efforts of police and other agencies, people continue to use drugs.  In recognition of this, NSW Police Force supports and operates within the principals of harm minimisation.

Harm minimisation does not condone drug use, rather it refers to policies and programs designed to prevent and reduce harm associated with both licit and illicit drugs and encompasses:

• Supply reduction strategies to disrupt the production and supply of illicit drugs and the control and regulation of licit substances;
• Demand reduction strategies to prevent the uptake of harmful drug use, including abstinence orientated strategies to reduce drug use; and
• Harm reduction strategies to reduce drug related harm to individuals and communities.

This approach aims to minimise the harmful effects of drugs on the community and individuals, whilst maintaining a balance of supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction strategies.

NSW Police Force support a number of initiatives that strengthen harm minimisation principles, such as Needle Syringe Programs, Methadone Maintenance Programs, diversion initiatives as well implement discretion in drug overdose situations.