Drug Treatment Should Take Front Seat
The treatment of people with drug and alcohol problems should not take a back seat to the enforcement of anti-drug laws, AMA President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, said today.
Dr Haikerwal welcomed the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy's communiqu as progress towards addressing drug and alcohol problems, saying the AMA keenly awaits more detail on the strategies being pursued.
However, he said it appears the Council has placed a significant focus upon law enforcement.
"Targeting supply lines is an important facet of tackling drug problems," Dr Haikerwal said.
"But the AMA stresses the need to treat drug dependency and provide rehabilitation services.
"Under the National Cannabis Strategy, for instance, it's important that efforts are made and funding is given to support and treat those with cannabis-related health issues."
The Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy's approach to amphetamines appears to also be disproportionately focused on policing and supply reduction.
"The development of treatments for people who use psychostimulants is crucial to addressing this growing problem and we welcome the commitment made to that in the recent Federal Budget," Dr Haikerwal said.
Dr Haikerwal said Governments also should take more action to treat inhalant abuse.
"There have been multiple reports and recommendations on this issue but little action," he said.
"The reasons behind inhalant abuse need to be identified, as dealing with these will be part of dealing with the underlying harm."
It's heartening to see a new National Alcohol Strategy, aimed at promoting more responsible drinking, Dr Haikerwal said.
Governments should ensure alcohol advertising does not encourage unsafe levels of alcohol consumption, he added.
Dr Haikerwal welcomed the long-awaited move towards new labels for alcohol to show the number of standard drinks contained within.
"But such labels need to be mandatory, not voluntary," he said.
As well, the AMA is calling for a revision of the NHMRC's guidelines for the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy.
"Currently, the Australian Alcohol Guidelines state that less than seven units of alcohol a week, and no more than two standard drinks on any one day, is a safe level of drinking during pregnancy," he said.
"But the AMA has found no evidence of any safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
"It's timely for the NHMRC to consider recommending that pregnant women abstain from alcohol entirely."