National Drug Strategy a first

by Jonathan Seaman

May 15, 2006

The Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy announced an unprecedented national approach to the problem of drug use after their meeting in Perth today.

The Council, comprised of the Government and State and Territory Health and Law Enforcement Ministers, endorsed Australia’s first National Cannabis Strategy 2006 — 2009, with a focus on reducing the public acceptability of cannabis, and investigating the link between cannabis use and poor mental health.

Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Christopher Pyne, said the Government has committed $14 million over four years to establish a National Cannabis Control and Prevention Centre, aimed to educate the public on the effects of cannabis use, and provide support to users.

“The improvement of programs for diverting cannabis users from the courts into treatment programs is also featured in the strategy,” Mr Pyne said.

Mr Pyne said the Government has also committed $21.6 million over four years to alerting the community to links between illicit drugs and mental illness, and $73.9 million over five years to new services for people with drug and alcohol problems and mental illnesses.

Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Sue Ellery, said that all states and territories have committed themselves to limiting the harm caused by drugs, although how offences are dealt with varies with different jurisdictions.

Mr Pyne also said that WA and South Australia may appear to have a “softer” drug approach than other states, such as New South Wales. However, all states have room for improvement and need to ensure their laws reflect the national stance.

“There’s scope within every state’s system for greater co-operation. We’ll identify that scope and act on it,” Mr Pyne said.