"Drug prices increase when "successful" police raids create short-term scarcity. We suffer rises in crime (break-ins, robberies) in response to the need for drug users to raise funds for expensive drugs."
Harm Minimisation

Harm minimisation

The Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation is committed to the implementation of harm minimisation principles for all drug use, licit or illicit. The harm minimisation strategy acknowledges that drug use occurs, and that it has been occurring despite attempts by law enforcement agencies to reduce the supply of illegal drugs. Harm minimisation recognises that drug use can impair the health and wellbeing of users and seeks strategies to reduce that harm.

Two obvious and successful harm minimisation programs are needle exchange programs and methadone programs. Another is the system of civil penalties for possession and administration of personal quantities of cannabis.

Needle exchange programs

Needle exchange programs were initiated in response to the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s. Although it met with great opposition at the time, it has proved its effectiveness as Australia now has the lowest rates of HIV/AIDS infection among injecting drug users in the Western world. In 1995, the rate of HIV infection among injecting drug users in Australia was less than 5%. Elsewhere in the world, failure to implement needle exchange has had serious public health consequences. 30% of injecting users in the United States and 80% in Thailand are infected with HIV.
Needle Exchange programs have also provided information and referral services which also reduce the harm associated with illicit drug use.

Methadone programs

Most states in Australia have methadone programs for dependent users of heroin. Although these programs do not suit everyone and many program structures require improvement, they have been instrumental in minimising the harm for dependent heroin users.
As methadone is taken orally, it reduces the risks associated with syringe use. Attending a methadone clinic rather than dealing with drug dealers on the streets also results in less crime, less fear of detection by police and a point of referral for further treatment if required. As the methadone lasts for 24 hours, those on the program can normalise their lives as they do not have to spend all their time raising the funds for heroin or dealing to procure it.
Methadone programs are not the solution for everybody. Some will not opt for this treatment because of its intrusive and disciplinary nature, others because the drug has unbearable side effects. But it has been a successful option for many.

Cannabis Expiation Notice System (CENS)

CENS has been implemented in South Australia and the ACT. It has reduced the harm to those using cannabis by diverting them away from the courts and a criminal record. By expiating the offence by paying a fine (like a traffic infringement notice), young people do not suffer the harm that the legal system imposes such as a criminal record, exposure to criminal behaviour in jails and the loss of employment opportunities.
There are no single or easy solutions to the problem of illicit drugs. However, harm minimisation principles have demonstrated some success, where prohibition has demonstrated none. In fact, prohibition is a harm maximisation policy.

How does prohibition maximise the harm?

• Everyone pays for prohibition policies at the estimated cost of $2 billion a year with more drugs being available on our streets every day. This money is not available for health and education. Police resources could be deployed to tackle real crimes that have victims, eg. crimes of violence and child abuse.
• Drug prices increase when "successful" police raids create short-term scarcity. We suffer rises in crime (break-ins, robberies) in response to the need for drug users to raise funds for expensive drugs.
• Corruption is endemic within our police forces, and our legal and prison systems.
• Business suffers a loss of productivity due to health problems, incarceration and morbidity due to the use of adulterated drugs.
• There are enormous risks associated with the spread of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and B in our society through uncontrolled drug use. Our public health systems will come under increasing strain in years to come as carriers of these diseases require treatment.
• Civil liberties are eroded as police have intrusive powers to search people and property when illicit drug trafficking is merely suspected.
• Individuals convicted on minor drug charges may be sent to jail where:
• illicit drugs are readily available, but treatment isn't
• they may be sexually/physically abused in jail
• they end up with a criminal record which means that employment prospects are severely reduced as are entry visas to many countries
• they have reduced chances of reintegration in society as a result of a criminal record and jail experience.