From http://www.spinneypress.com.au/158_book_desc.html Drugs and the Law - published 2002
Facts & Figures
• In Australia, there were an estimated 22,700 drug-related deaths in 1997. Of these, 18,200 were due to tobacco, 3,700 attributed to alcohol and 800 to illegal drugs. (p.1)
• A 1998 national survey showed that 39.3% of the population had tried cannabis; 8.7% amphetamines; 10% hallucinogens; 2.2% heroin and 3.9% inhalants. Illegal drugs were used most often by people in the 20-34 year age range. (p.2)
• Some critics claim that current drug laws fail to reduce harm because they focus on the wrong drugs. Alcohol and tobacco account for around 97% of drug-related deaths in Australia and 90% of economic costs. (p.3)
• According to the National Drug Strategy Survey (1995), there is not general community support for a relaxation of drug laws. Over 91% of people opposed proposals to legalise the personal use of heroin, amphetamines (92%), and cocaine (92%), while 55% opposed legalising cannabis. Increasing the penalties for the sale or supply of these illegal drugs was well supported (heroin 88%, amphetamines 86%, cocaine 86% and cannabis/marijuana 63%). (p.3)
• According to the Drug Use Monitoring Australia (DUMA) survey there is a very strong link between opiate use and property crimes. Of those detainees whose most serious charge is a property offence, 43% tested positive for opiates. The survey found very high levels of illicit drug use among people who are detained in police lock-ups for driving offences, crimes of violence and disorder offences. (p.4)
• In each area sampled in the DUMA survey, three quarters of detainees had urine samples which tested positive to one or more illicit drugs. Cannabis was most often detected among detainees, with 62% of men and 56% of women returning a positive result. Overall, opiates were the second most often detected drugs with 39% of men and 22% of women returning positive results. (p.4)
• In the DUMA survey, 70% of males detained for a violent offence tested positive to an illicit drug; 86% of males detained for a property offence tested positive to an illicit drug - half of them to opiates. (p.5)
• Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit drug and that is unlikely to change. While there was a decline in cannabis offences in 1999-2000, they still represented 67% of all drug-related offences. (p.6)
• The use and availability of amphetamine-type substances continues to increase in Australia: after cannabis they are the most frequently used illicit drug. Ecstasy is the most frequently used amphetamine. (p.6)
• During 1999-2000, 717 kilos of cocaine was detected being brought into Australia - a 145% increase on the previous year. (p.6)
• According to the Australian Illicit Drug Report 1999-2000, and despite the best efforts of police, the war against drugs is failing, with only a small percentage of heroin being seized. It also points out that other drugs - cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines - are also freely available, particularly in Sydney. (p.7)
• In the 1980s, 34,000 people were addicted to heroin, most in their late 20s and 30s; heroin was expensive, 10% pure, hard to find and usually injected; there were few rehabilitation programs. In 2000, there were 74,000 addicts and up to 300,000 casual users; the biggest increase in users was among 15-24 year-olds; heroin was 60% pure, cheaper and easier to find; 75% of users live in NSW or Victoria; and there are now many treatment options. (p.8)
• Several studies conducted by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research have found a 'strong' relationship between frequent cannabis use by young people and criminal offences. (p.11)
• Organised crime costs 4% of gross domestic product, or $1,000 a year for each Australian. (p.14)
• Illicit drug use costs the Australian community $1.7 billion every year. (p.14)
• 6.7 tonnes of heroin is consumed a year in Australia - twice the amount of 17 years ago. (p.14)
• In 1999/2000 Australian law enforcement agencies seized 5.3 tonnes of illicit drugs in Australia. Of this, 734 kg was heroin. (p.14)
• In 1994-97 a heroin trial started in Switzerland, at the end of which a national referendum was held on whether to continue heroin prescription. 71% voted for the continuation of the trial and Switzerland currently has 66% of users in treatment, as opposed to 25-33% in Australia. (p.15)
• A Newspoll survey conducted in August 2001 shows that 45% of adults favour the introduction of a medically supervised and government-controlled heroin trial, while 47% are opposed. (p.23)
• 16 Australians die every week because of illegal drugs. (p.33)
• From 1979 to 1995 there has been a 700% increase in opiate-related deaths. (p.33)
• About 80% of those in prison are there for drug-related offences. (p.33)
• Seizure of drugs fails to capture about 90% of the drugs coming into the country. (p.33)
• 2,000 - 3,000 kilograms of heroin, with a street value of up to $3 billion, arrive in Australia each year. (p.33)
• 46% of Australians in 1998 had used an illicit drug, an increase of 6.7% from 1995. (p.33)
• 55% of 17 year-olds have used cannabis. (p.33)
• The law has little effect on drug use. There is no significant difference in cannabis use between Australian States where it is a criminal offence and States and Territories where it is decriminalised. (p.33)
• 7 out of 10 illegal drug arrests are of drug users. (p.33)
