The Chair of Drug Free Australia, Craig Thomson has called on the major political parties to show, in fine detail, how they would take a ‘tough on drugs’ stance.

To date, this issue has not been mentioned, and yet there are millions of people suffering the devastation of illicit drugs in this country. ‘These people need to know which party will support their needs, in real terms,  after the November 24 election. We want to know if they are prepared to, take a bi-partisan approach to illicit drug policy and demonstrate their Political Will to effectively prevent further damage to Australian families.

Executive Officer, Jo Baxter said: ‘We have already had the lead from a bi-partisan parliamentary committee report – ‘The winnable war against drugs’, chaired by Bronwyn Bishop. We now need to know whether the next Federal Government will be strong enough to actually put those tough recommendations in place. For too long, young people and their families have suffered immense degradation from the harms of narcotic and other illicits. ABS statistics show that almost 500,000 children are living in households where binge drinking occurs, almost 80,000 live with at least one (daily) cannabis user and more than 27,000 live with an adult who uses methamphetamines,. These are certainly huge issues to be taken seriously. With strong leadership and combined will we can stem the tide of illicit drugs that are destroying so many lives - we have only to look at what has been achieved with tobacco smoking.

SIX weeks ago, DFA sent a survey to all major parties, asking for their commitment to some key issues related to preventing and reducing illicit drug and alcohol use in Australia. The survey includes challenges to commit to:

• a multi-partite, zero tolerant approach to illicit drugs
• amending the National Drug Strategy 2004-2009 to refocus away from an emphasis on harm minimization on illicit drugs to one of greater emphasis on harm prevention. 
• giving greater priority to implementing the agreed recommendations of the 2003 ‘Road to Recovery’ Report
• researching with a bi-partisan team, the recommendations of the 2007 House of Representatives Inquiry into the Impact of Illicit Drugs on Families, to aligning where possible, with the Road to Recovery report and implementing without delay, to ensure that the seven (7) years of community-based evidence is fully recognized and implemented

To date we have had a ‘luke-warm’ response with many generalisations. We hope that both the Prime Minister and Mr Rudd will make detailed statements well prior to the election. DFA’s survey results will be available by 14th November, 10 days prior to the election date, so that people will know what their vote will count for, said Mr Thompson.