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Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy Communique - 27 November 2009

   

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PDF printable version of Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy Communique - 27 November 2009 (PDF 10 KB)

The meeting was chaired by Simon Corbell, ACT Minister for Police.

Some of the issues discussed included:

National Drug Strategy Consultation paper

Ministers today agreed to seek community input to the development of the National Drug Strategy for 2010 to 2015. Cooperation among the health, law enforcement and education sectors over a long period under successive national drug strategies have seen the rates of use of many illicit drugs – notably heroin – in Australia fall.

Nonetheless, the harms from drug use remain substantial and new challenges continue to emerge. For example, rates of ecstasy use among young people are rising and there is continuing concern across the Australian community about binge drinking and alcohol-related violence.

A Consultation Paper will be posted on the National Drug Strategy website on 4 December 2009 for public comment until the end of February 2010. Officials will also be conducting targeted consultations with key stakeholders.

These consultations will inform the development of a new draft National Drug Strategy for release by mid-2010.

Misuse of pharmaceutical drugs

Ministers discussed concerns about the diversion and misuse of pharmaceutical drugs and emerging evidence of the costs and harms associated with pharmaceutical misuse. Ministers agreed to develop a National Pharmaceutical Misuse Strategy, in close consultation with the Australian Health Ministers Conference (AHMC) and with expert groups such as the Medical Colleges.

The issue of prescription drug misuse has been identified by both law enforcement and health agencies across Australia as an emerging issue of significant concern. Ministers agreed there was a need for a consolidated national response and endorsed the development of a strategy that would address prevention, reduction of supply, reduction of drug use and related harms, improved access to quality treatment.

Hidden harm of alcohol and other drug use

Ministers agreed to the funding of a project to examine the hidden harms from alcohol and other drug use on crime, the community, public safety and amenity. Hidden harm can include the increased fear of crime or diminished safety that is associated with reporting of local drug cultivation or dealing, or public drunkenness in local parks.

The proposed project is designed to provide a foundation and preliminary economic assessment of the hidden harmful consequences associated with misuse of alcohol and drugs.

Media contact:
Patrick Cronan, Minister Corbell’s Office – 0432 758 224
Kay McNiece, Media Liaison, MCDS – 0412 132 585

Page currency, Latest update: 27 November, 2009