Ref:12/2002  

1 July , 2002  

Drug Summit an Outstanding Success

Adelaide Central Mission commends all involved in the Drug summit that was conducted this week, on the outcomes of the Summit.

“The unanimity of the delegates on nearly all recommendations was outstanding” said Mark Henley, Manager of Advocacy and Communication for the Mission and Summit delegate.

“While it is easy to focus on points of difference and controversies, the level of agreement achieved could not have been predicted at the start of the Summit ” added Mr Henley.

Adelaide Central Mission is pleased that some of the recommendations from the Summit include targeted treatment services that will meet gaps in current arrangements; specifically a proposal to establish 7 day facility that will assist aboriginal people and their families to overcome substance abuse and a proposal for a drug treatment and rehabilitation service for young people.

The central principle of respect for the sanctity of human life was also an important summit direction that lead to a range of harm minimisation measures intended to keep people alive in the first instance and to move drug dependant people from dependence.  Practical measures included diversion strategies for minor and juvenile offences and a commitment to rehabilitation.  The summit attendees recognised that an important strategy to reduce drug related crime is the rehabilitation of addicts, since freedom from addiction removes the “need” to steal.

The Social Inclusion Unit and the Parliament now have the challenge to implement a wide set of recommendation that have strong summit support. Adelaide Central Mission commits to do what ever we can to assist in the implementation of drug summit outcomes and encourages community support for the great start the summit has provided in the massive challenge of dealing the damage from drugs out of our State.

 

For Further Comment
Mark Henley Senior Policy Officer	8202 5135 (w) 0404 067 011 (mob)