n8802963

Student: Mohamed Aly [n8802963] Tutor: Abbey Diaz Tutorial: Friday 3-4pm = = = “The drugs don't work, they just make it worse...” =


 * Artefact.**

I chose this artefact not so much for its literal meaning or because it represents an ideology that I generally agree with – legalisation of marijuana (which is depicted in the image) – but because what I interpret from it is that if a user wants to get or use a drug, they will, regardless of its legality, impacts on their health or socio-economic status. “I'll smoke it anyway” is what really strikes me with this image. This doesn't necessarily have to relate to marijuana but can definitely be applied to any illicit drug. If a user wants it, they will get it, no matter the cost.


 * What is the public health issue?**

The artefact relates to the general opinion held by society which is to condemn drug users as criminals rather than help and treat their conditions as health matters. By addressing problematic drug users through the legal system and applying negative stigma to their addiction, a vicious cycle is being perpetuated and further widening the gap between class, socio-economic status and health status. The focus should be on treating the core issue as to what leads people to use drugs and helping them to reduce the harms associated with illicit drugs. Providing channels to access proper help to those who need it should be a priority.


 * Literature Review**

The social and economic burden that drug use (both licit and illicit) places on society is widely recognised throughout Australian culture. It is an increasingly troubling concern as its prevalence and the detrimental effects caused by use are continuously growing at an exponential rate. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2011) identifies drug use as not only a major risk factor for for ill health and death, but also as a complex issue which contributes to social and family disruption, violence, crime and a number of other community safety issues.

AIHW statistics prove that illicit drug use is on the incline. In 2007, 13.4% of the population aged 14 and over reported to have used illicit substances within the previous 12 months and this number rose to 14.7% by 2010. The mean age of which Australians reported to have first used drugs did not vary significantly with the 20-29 age bracket reporting highest rates of overall use. This rise has been attributed to an increase in the availability and ease of access to drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and hallucinogens over the three year period. Cannabis had been used at least once by 1/3 of people over 14. Males tended to have a greater likelihood to use and misuse drugs than females while simultaneously females were more likely to support efforts to minimise harm related to drug use than their male counterparts.

In a response to the spread of HIV & AIDs within populations of IDUs in the 1980s, needle and syringe programmes were widely introduced. Needle and syringe exchange programs (NSPs) offer sterile equipment to users in an effort to reduce the harms that are inherent with sharing needles which is a major issue within the injecting population. Fortunately, in Australia, the percentage of the injecting population infected with HIV is low relative to other countries. The 1% we have in Australia compared to 50% found in some foreign countries should not be solely attributed to the our willingness to embrace NSPs but it is important to note that in countries where NSPs were not immediately established – such as the USA for example – HIV was seen to spread quicker among both drug users and the wider community. NSPs are also vital to facilitate referral onto further treatment by providing a first point of contact for many addicted drug users who have never previously accessed treatment.

Although it received partisan support when the first National Campaign Against Drug Abuse was launched in 1985 and has been the official policy for Australian governments for the last thirty years, there are those in the wider community who believe that efforts to make illicit drug use safer, would encourage existing users to maintain their addiction and entice young people to begin using. It is their belief that they must protect everyone from drugs and maintain the position that is opposed to drug use and instead the promotion of a clean, healthy life-style. However, there is a great amount of evidence which has shown that this is not the case. This can be seen in reports from NSPs that there was no evidence that the number of IDUs increased since their establishment as well as the mean age of users rose and the proportion of under 22 years fell. These findings contradict the main arguments set forth against exchange programs. Also, the Sydney MSIC reported that their statistics indicate that around 80% of their total visits were made by clients who spent at least the last 24 hours in the local area which suggests that clients are not travelling from other parts of Sydney or NSW to use the facility, ie there is no “honeypot” effect attracting existing users.

The reason I have included some of the statistics above is to demonstrate that illicit drugs are a major part of every community and that their misuse is not a dwindling trend or “flavour of the month.” Drug addiction is a serious problem that affects all kinds of communities – some may be worse off than others – but it still has devastating ramifications nonetheless.
 * Cultural & Social Analysis**

Since around the mid 1980s. Federal, State and Territory governments in Australia have endorsed a National Drug Strategy, with the main aim being a reduction in the harm caused by both legal and illicit drugs in Australia. The aim is to treat an addicted user with compassion rather than to condemn them. While it does not condone illicit drug use, harm minimisation recognises that despite efforts to decrease the prevalence, it cannot ever be completely eradicated from society.


 * Analysis of the artefact.**


 * References.**


 * Comments:**

[]

[]