Let+Them+Be-+Time+for+a+Different+Approach

Siobhan Ferris N8619166 Tutor: Abbey Hamilton



**ARTEFACT:**
‘Scar Tissue’ by Anthony Kiedis with Larry Sloman tells of the rollercoaster journey that is the life of Anthony Kiedis, leader singer of the band the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It reports not only of the troubles and joys behind the success of the band. This #|book also reveals provocative stories of sex, drugs, dysfunctional family members, musical success and tragic loss, as the reader steps foot into the out-of-this-world journey that is the life of Anthony Kiedis. The Guardian described this autobiography as, “an entertaining account of being the most priapic, junkie member of California’s most priapic, junkie rock band, but also implicitly a pretty solid explanation of how he came to be this way.”

PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE:
The public health issue that this chosen artefact represents is the issue of drug addiction within our society. As evident in this autobiography, drug addiction is a harsh and dangerous killer of many. It affects not only the user, but loved ones, families and friends, along with many in the road to recovery. However, rather than paving this road to recovery for many drug addicts, it seems as though punishment has received utmost importance within this public health issue.

**LITERATURE REVIEW:**
Drug addiction is a life-threatening health issue that affects not only many drug users within Australia, but has a huge impact on families, friends and also the Australian Government. According to New England Journal of Medicine, drug addiction is “a chronic, relapsing disorder in which compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior persists despite serious negative consequences ” (2003, p. 975). With these negative behaviours undertaken frequently by drug users, this creates a large issue within the politics and laws regarding drug use and possession. Anthony Loewenstein (2013, para. 1), an author for The Guardian, writes “Australians enjoy the greatest amount of recreational drugs per capita in the world, according to a 2012 UN world drug report .”

This evidence is alarming as recreational drug use is closely followed then with drug addiction. Alarming research was revealed that the detections of Amphetamines at the Australian border rose a staggering 11% in 2010-2011, the highest rise in the decade (Australian Crime Commission, 2010). Such cases as 8.5kg crystal amphetamines was detected travelling from the Netherlands to Sydney in march 2011, which had been declared as coffee (Australian Crime Commission, 2010). With this in mind, a study also showed that amphetamines was the second most common drug affiliated with those seeking treatment for drug addiction (Government of South Australia, 2013).As drugs such as amphetamines beginning to run and thus ruin the lives of many drug users, the Australian Government has reacted in a way in which they see fit. In a way to eliminate drugs from the streets on Australia, the Government put to force such squads as the Australian Parliamentary Group on Drug Law Reform, Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation,

and the Drug Law Reform Australia (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2007). The police force were cracking down on drugs and drug use, reporting that 88% of juveniles detained had an illicit substance six months prior to arrest (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2007). While the police force were focusing largely on drug trafficking and supplying, fewer attention was designated to the programs focusing on helping drug users. Programs saw the aid of 25, 369 clients in 2004, who were assisted in methadone therapy (Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, 2004). This however, creates the contradiction of helping addicts to kick the addiction of drugs with more drugs and medications.

Research continues to show evidence of the Australian Government focuses solely on keeping drugs of the street, rather than helping addicts to live a drug-free life. The National Drug Strategy framework created in 2006, was described as a “coordinated, integrated approach to drug issues in Australia” (Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy, 2006). This framework introduced issues for prisoner illicit drug use, alcohol use in the workplace and drug use and crime in juveniles. However, for an ‘integrated approach’, this framework did not include any segments to better recovery services for drug addicts and in no way benefits suffers undertaking steps to sobriety. As evident in Figure 1**,** cannabis was the most prevalent drug within Australia. Yet, again frameworks such as the National Cannabis Strategy did not focus on the issues affecting those within the community of drug users.

//Figure 1: Illicit Drug Use in 2010//

This framework included aspects such as reducing the availability of cannabis, supporting the efforts of the Australian Customs Service and Australian Federal Police Force and ensuring penalties are consistent for drug offenses (Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy, 2006). Within this framework, it states that the last target group is the problem users, evident in Figure 2. This is alarming as it implies that this group of users, are below the wider population and that society has somewhat lost hope for these addicts. Considering the intended outcome of this strategy, only one point was raised to, “support existing early intervention programs that have been shown to be eﬀective in improving health outcomes” (Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy, 2006).Although this program has identified this as a public health issue, this states that intervention must have been proved effective, however does not state by what means this efficiency is proven. Consequently, it is evident these programs are in place for what may seem, the wrong reasons.



//Figure 2: Target Groups and Responses Within the National Cannabis Strategy//

Statistics show that around 8% of people in Australia aged 16–85 years have had a drug use disorder (including harmful use/abuse and/or dependence) in their lifetime (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011). Considering the large variety of ages within this statistic, it is important to evaluate strategies towards drug use and perhaps focus prevention and addiction help programs rather than punishment. To conclude, unfortunately 1388 lost their lives in the year of 2005 due to drug related causes (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2007). Maybe it is time to change our approach..

CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ANALYSIS:
Based on the research found regarding drug related deaths and drug strategy frameworks, it is evident that this public health issue of drug addiction is real and occurs frequently within our society. Also, from this evidence, it is clear that this public health issue needs to be readdressed and ultimately the approach to this health issue needs to encounter serious change. Even if we ourselves are not directly affected by this public health issue, it is a high chance that we will at some stage encounter this issue, whether it affects directly ourselves or someone we may know and love. Rather than viewing drug addicts as a nuisance in the eyes of the law, it could well be time to take a compassionate stance instead. It is evident in programs in place to “better benefit” our society in the way of eliminating drug use, that these programs have all the wrong intentions behind them. These programs are viewing society as those unaffected by drug addiction and drug use, although we know that many of us will be affected by this public health issue one way or another, at some stage in our lives. The answer could be providing a helping hand to those trying to kick drug addiction, rather than bashing the laws upon them and regurgitating rules and regulations.

ARTEFACT ANALYSIS:
­­­As the reader delves deep into the life of Anthony Kiedis, he captures drug addiction perfectly in one quote. “When you're using drugs, you're driven by this mystical black energy, a force inside you that just won't quit. And the weaker you get, the more you feed into that energy, and the more it fucks with you. When your spirit becomes dark and your lifestyle becomes dark, your existence is susceptible to infiltration by dark spirits. I've seen it so many times with addicts. You can see that they're controlled by dark energy, the way they look, their appearance, their voice, their behavior, it's not them.” This along with many other elements in this book perfectly represents why the public health issue of drug addiction must be readdressed. As we see through the eyes of this lovable rockstar, drug addicts are people too. He also perfectly explains that the law does not stop this trap of addiction; rules are meant to be broken. Unfortunately focusing largely on the punishment of drug use takes attention solely away from the fact that these people are suffering. So, it’s time for a change. It’s time for a different approach. It’s time to help.

REFERENCE LIST:
Australian Crime Commission. (2010). Illicit Drug Data Reports: Amphetamine-Type Stimulants. Retrieved from [|http://crimecommission.gov.au/publications/illicit-drug-data-reports/2010-11/index/amphetamine-type-stimulants#domestic_trends]

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2007). Drug Related Statistics. Retrieved from []

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2011). Drugs In Australia 2010. Retrieved from []

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2007). Statistics on Drug Use in Australia 2006. Retrieved from []

Cami, J. & Farre, M. (2003). Drug Addiction. //The New England Journal of Medicine, 349,// 975- 986. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra023160

Government of South Australia. (2013). Statistics on Illicit Drug Use In South Australia. Retrieved from []

Loewenstein, A. (2013). How to Tackle Australia’s Drug Addiction: Legalise and Tax Them. Retrieved from []

Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy. (2006). National Cannabis Strategy 2006-2009. Retrieved from []

Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy. (2001). National Heroin Overdose Strategy. Retrieved from []