Matters of Interest

Illicit Drug Use

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:21): I rise today to speak about the importance of preventing and minimising harm caused by illicit drug use in Australia, but not only illicit drugs. Whilst the short-term harms of drug abuse, such as road accidents, injuries, violence, poisoning and overdose, are well understood, some people may be unaware of the serious long-term impacts that illicit drugs and the misuse of pharmaceutical drugs, as well, can have on an individual's health.

The statistics are sobering and speak for themselves. Each year in Australia, more people die from drug overdoses, including from pharmaceuticals, than die on our roads. The cost to the community from the abuse of controlled substances exceeds $8.2 billion per annum. Sadly, all the deaths, hospitalisations and cost to the community are, of course, preventable. There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug, illicit or otherwise, always carries some risk albeit, in some cases, very small of course. It is important to understand this risk in relation to any type of drug and particularly on the user. There is no safe level of drug use, as I said.

The effects of taking drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, can be unpredictable and even dangerous for some individuals. Indeed, the effects can vary greatly from one person to another in some cases. The focus is often on the consumption of illicit drugs; however, it is well documented that prescription drug dependence, misuse and diversion are becoming increasing concerns both in Australia and internationally as well.

Tragically, associated overdose and accidental death continues to rise in Australia. The misuse of controlled medicines, which includes pain medication such as fentanyl, morphine and oxycodone, has become increasingly prevalent. It is truly alarming just how widespread drug use is in Australia.

The Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing conducted a study in 2019, revealing that nine million Australians have used an illicit drug at least once in their life and 3.4 million have done so in the past year. The overwhelming majority of people who use drugs do not fit into any stereotype. We are talking about our neighbours, colleagues, friends and family. In fact, we are talking about 43 per cent of the country who have used an illicit drug at some point in their life.

In these testing times, with the impact that COVID is having on all of us, it is important for us to be aware that as the social restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic unfold the potential for harms associated with illicit drug use and pharmaceutical drugs may, in fact, increase. Some people may find themselves using these substances more in order to cope with the anxiety and stress associated with our changing environment. This is a traumatic time for our community as leadership and individual citizens struggle to cope with the reality of the virus and what it means for our lives.

If we look at how people have reacted to other traumatic large-scale events, those past experiences should serve as a warning to us that we need to be mindful about the coping strategies some individuals may use to self-manage the current adversity. The Australian Psychological Society provided a stress and wellbeing report in 2015, finding that 40 per cent of Australians reported using some form of drug as one way to cope with stress.

Many of the stressors reported by Australians pre COVID-19 are likely to increase as the pandemic unfolds. This is indeed concerning because we know that many Australians have either lost their jobs, had their hours reduced or taken pay cuts. There is real anxiety about the economic impacts of the pandemic. People are rightly worried about their health and the health of their loved ones.

This crisis is a challenge for every government right across the world. For many of us, the current level of stress is unprecedented. People who currently experience issues with medications and/or illicit drugs, or have in the past, might be more vulnerable to using and abusing drugs as a coping mechanism to deal with the increased stress that prevails.

This government understands the need to involve stakeholders and professionals who have been actively engaged in determining the best strategies to reduce the misuse of illicit and pharmaceutical drugs. It is important that we as a government and as a parliament use legislative tools to encourage best practice, strategic planning and action to rehabilitate and support those at risk and to provide the information and education required to the wider community.

Evidence-based drug education has a role to play in preventing or delaying the use of illicit and other drugs by young people; however, education alone cannot be expected to overcome the influence of media, advertising and any other influences that may be in effect, such as peer or social pressures. Policies directed at delaying and reducing as well as outright preventing drug use remain a worthwhile health goal and one that this government will pursue.

Schools can play an important role, both inside and beyond the classroom, in preventing harms as a result of drug use. While providing drug education as part of the curriculum is important, there is more that schools can do. The culture of the school and the experience that young people have attending it can also be important protective factors against the harms from illicit drugs and the misuse of medicines in general. I will leave it there.