Drug Abuse in Australia

Table of Contents

Introduction1

Discussion1

Part 1: History Questions1

1.Opium1

2. Alcohol3

3.Harm Minimization3

(a) Why did Australia take a Harm minimization approach?3

(b) Event leading to this approach4

(c ) Examples4

Topic: Harm Minimization5

a.Definition of Demand Reduction5

b.Definition of Supply Reduction6

c.Defintion of Harm reduction6

2. Why was The Ottawa Charter a turning point to health problems?7

3. Explaining a parent about the harm reduction strategies for a client who uses illicit drugs.8

4.Sites Visited8

http://www.bluebelly.org.au/8

http://www.meth.org.au/9

5.Harm Reduction Victoria Website9

a. Individual and Community Empowerment9

b. What communities does it serve?9

Conclusion10

References11

Drug Abuse in Australia

Introduction

A drug is any sort of an element ,when consumed, creates a change in the physical or the psychological condition of a human being. Drug use and abuse have become a crucial issue recently in many countries of the world including Australia. Many people have been observed indulged in the usage and sale of drugs. Numbers of steps have been taken in many countries for prohibiting the use of these drugs, and severe punishment Legislations has been passed. Still it has been found that people are persistently using drugs for various reasons. Drug abuse has emerged as a serious problem. This paper discusses the use of drugs and its types in detail and how does the Australian government takes steps to minimize drug abuse and implement reduction strategies.

Discussion

Part 1: History Questions

1.Opium

Opium of was first cultivated in the joy plant of the Babylon. It has been used for various medical reasons at that time. In the 1660s, medical advantages of opium tincture were found, and it was sold worldwide without any prescription until the start of the 20th century. In China, laws were passed to prohibit opium in 1729. Single Convention of Narcotic drugs is a treaty that prohibits the production and supply of drugs under which the supply of opium, heroine and cocaine are controlled (www.whqlibdoc.who.int). Opium was regulated firstly under the government interventions, and warnings to avoid overdose. Previously, opium was largely consumed by the middle class people to forego depression and stress of their difficult lives, by the woman to forget their menstrual pains and the Chinese who consumed it for recreational purposes. Later on, it was transferred into the society with high demand among the adults.

It has been observed that Opium is used as a means of recreation, relaxation and getting rid of diseases in Australia. Opium is a form of a drug can be smoked through a pipe, in the form of pills or a solution. Opium is taken for various reasons. One reason might be using Opium as a therapeutic drug is many areas. It is recommended when a person is affected from ulcer, tuberculosis and other injuries. It is given for a certain time period and then stopped, but a person might develop dependence over it and continue taking it (www.whqlibdoc.who.int). On the other hand, opium is used to fight depression and stress. It is also used as a form of recreation. The usage of Opium has become a serious issue recently where different patterns of usage have been observed in the drug addicts ...