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Harm Minimization in a Prohibition Context—Australia

National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the Australian National University

Wayne Hall

Insitute of Molecular Bioscence

Margaret Hamilton

The University of Melbourne

Robert Ali

Clinical Policy & Research at the Drug & Alcohol Services Council of South Australia

Australia ranks high internationally in the prevalence of cannabis and other illicit drug use, with the prevalence of all illicit drug use increasing since the 1970s. There are two distinctive features associated with harms from injecting drug use--high rates of death from heroin overdose and low rates of HIV infection. Australia has largely avoided a punitive and moralistic drug policy, developing instead harm minimization strategies and a robust treatment framework embedded in a strong law enforcement regime. Two illustrations of Australian drug policy are presented: legislation that provides for the expiation of simple cannabis offences by payment of a fine and the widespread implementation of agonist maintenance treatment for heroin dependence.

The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 582, No. 1, 80-93 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/000271620258200106


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