1999-2000
Tough on drugs
This year's Federal Budget will fund around a further $221 million over four years for the National Illicit Drug Strategy to help reduce the devastating impact of illicit drugs on the lives of drug users, their families and friends.
Fact sheet 4
Tough on drugs
The fight against drugs is a major priority for the Federal Government and all Australians.This year's Federal Budget will fund around a further $221 million over four years for the National Illicit Drug Strategy to help reduce the devastating impact of illicit drugs on the lives of drug users, their families and friends.
A major thrust of the Strategy will aim to steer illicit drug users away from the criminal justice system into treatment programs. There will also be significant funding for prevention programs, early intervention, and education - including school based drug education.
Measures to control the supply and distribution of drugs are also a major feature of the package.
This Strategy includes getting:
- Tough on Drugs in the Community by supporting the diversion of illicit drug users into education and treatment, including the provision of funding for a range of community-based education, assessment and treatment services; and increased capacity for education and training of health workers in the assessment and management of people with drug problems.
- This initiative will be supported by a range of measures to improve community awareness of the harms caused by illicit drugs and to expand community involvement in strategies to respond to the harm caused by illicit drugs.
- Tough on Drugs in Schools by supporting the efforts of principals, teachers, parents and school communities in strengthening the attack on drug pushers and rejecting illicit drugs in schools. The Government has described this as a zero tolerance approach; and
- Tough on the Supply of Drugs by expanding Australia's capacity to intercept drugs before they reach Australia's shores and to attack distribution networks in Australia.
The $158.2 million will be broken down over four years as outlined below.
| 1999-2000 $m | 2000-2001 $m | 2001-2002 $m | 2002-2003 $m |
| 21.7 | 33.0 | 42.9 | 60.6 |
Building on a strong foundation
In addition to the $221 million, the Budget contains $80.5 million over 4 years for a range of measures to reduce the demand for, and supply of, illicit drugs. This funding implements the 1998 election commitment of $75 million.
- Of the $80.5 million, around $10.2 million will be administered by the Department of Health and Aged Care, to expand proven, effective, drug treatment services. These services particularly target young people, people in country areas, women with children and poly drug users and will further enhance access by illicit drug users to treatment.
| 1999-2000 $m | 2000-2001 $m | 2001-2002 $m | 2002-2003 $m |
| 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2.6 |
Contact: Sue Kerr, Assistant Secretary,
Drug Strategy and Population Health Social Marketing Branch,
Population Health Division, (02) 6289 8771
