For more than 20 years, people and their families in Australia have been subjected to an unworkable illicit drug policy. To open up the debate and begin the change process, Drug Free Australia (DFA) will convene an International Anti-Drug Conference in South Australia, in April 2007.

The Conference will take an in depth look at what is currently happening with illicit drugs in Australia. Its 3-day agenda will:

• Introduce a wide range of international keynote speakers
• Address numerous myths and misunderstandings about current Australian drug trends and policy
• Debate strongly the validity of the Harm Minimisation approach to illicit drugs and
• Showcase successful prevention strategies, used in other countries
• Listen to community concerns about illicit drugs

‘South Australia has been selected for a number of reasons’, said Ms Josephine Baxter, DFA’s newly appointed Executive Officer:

• Adelaide is a central location for Australian delegates and very accessible in terms of facilities for visitors
• It leads the way, (with Victoria) in taking a direct stance against drug driving, having introduced testing for illicit drugs such as cannabis and ecstasy”.
• Research indicates that SA has enormous issues to deal with in terms of illicit drug use. For example, findings from the 2004 National Drug Strategy Household Survey show that almost 40% of the South Australian population aged 14 years and over have used illicit drugs. The substance most commonly ever used was cannabis, with over a third of the population aged 14 years and over reporting they had used cannabis at least once in their lifetime. Meth/amphetamine was the second most commonly used type of illicit substance, followed by hallucinogens and ecstasy. SA statistics on life time use of cannabis were higher than other states, as were amphetamines’.
• Adelaide’s controversial debate on pill testing at Rave Parties also needs to be fully explored. The conference will offer opportunities for opinion from the wider community, as well as that of those who hold positions of power and decision-making”.

“We want more emphasis placed on effective drug prevention policy rather than merely the ‘bandaid approach’ of Harm Minimisation, said Ms Baxter”.

According to DFA’s Chair, Mr Craig Thompson, there is other alarming research, such as that carried out by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, indicating that Australia’s drug addiction rates now exceed those of the United States – that is, 30% Australians admitted to having a drug problem compared to 6.5% of Americans.

The Conference will provide valuable input into Drug Free Australia’s strategic direction over the next 3 years. We are determined to listen to ordinary people within our communities and keep governments, politicians and policy makers informed.