The only thing to do is to open up a government endorsed 'ice' ingesting centre. It should be a raging success like the heroin injecting room. Just because ice addicts have taken over the heroin injecting centre and assaults are up in that centre is no reason for society to turn its back on the idea of an 'ice' ingesting centre. It could serve as being emblematic of our advancement.

A welcome article on the latest wave of illicit drugs that our ineffective and inefficient prohibitionist stance cannot prevent or contain.
Ice may be the latest batch but it wont be the last or perhaps the worst as drug potency seems to be increasing.
Our politicians don't have the answers, they pass it off as a law enforcement issue and pretend to ignore the consequences. Some of these consequences are corruption of our law enforcement agencies, widespread crime associated with drug use and community fragmentation.

I think a more productive approach would be to treat illicit drug use as a mental health issue rather than a law enforcement issue. This would allow a fresh approach to a difficult issue, this different perspective may also look into why so many people in one of the most liveable countries in the world turn to drugs in the first place.

There is only one real solution to the drug epidemic, the same as there was only one solution to bootleg alcohol during the American era of prohibition: Create goverment run laboratories to produce and sell the drugs cheaply, cleanly & of consistent quality.

Long as they're illegal there's no control over quality as the author rightly asserts, and think of the government revenue!
The money could go into treatment, and we all know if it's legal the criminals will leave the industry. This has been proven with both gambling and alochol.

There can be no victory by governments over the drug cartels, as they are like the Hydra's head.

People who don't want to do drugs won't, which is why countries which relaxed their laws have not experienced significant rises drug abuse.

From what I've heard the only reason Australia continues with a full scale war on drugs is due to puritanical US influence.
Do people realise heroin and meth were the most commonly prescribed drugs in the 20's & 30's? They were dished out like lollies for every ailment imaginable. Then suddenly they were demonised by conservatives in America, and hey presto we got another war on our hands. I wonder who really profits from this war? Try gun, tactical gear, body armour, armoured car manufacturers, or the cotton & textile industries to name a few. Powerful lobby groups, no?

I read an article several years ago where the AMA demanded the Australian government nationalise labs, and sell drugs to addicts very cheaply. This of course was rejected outright despite medical professionals stating it was the only way.

I say stop wasting our taxes on this impossible war, and spend it on services, education & councilling for users, create national labs, and cut the industry out from under the scum who sell this stuff to our kids.

To qualify, my mother and step father both work in mental health, and they both think the same as above. Also, I've lost three mates to heroin so I know the pain of losing someone this way.

Here is what Milton Friedman had to say about the war on drugs. No government labs, full privatisation!

http://www.druglibrary.org/special/friedman/socialist.htm

http://alternet.org/story/45010/

I agree 100% with you guys on this.

This is an excellent article.

For too long, reform of illicit drug policy has languished on the political backburner. Major political parties are generally afraid to touch it, due the the response of the tabloids and shock jocks.

However, our current "war on drugs" mentality simply does not work. Drug abuse, both legal and illegal is rampant in our society. It is an expensive waste of time and effort that does nothing to help addicts, stop drug related crime or reduce blood bourne diseases like Hep C and HIV. It is a major HEALTH problem.

However, the ever unpopular medically supervised injecting centre in Sydney has been a great success. For me, in all the statistics there are two very important numbers:
- 1700 people have overdosed in the premises, and have received life saving treatment. Not a single death has occured
- More than 2000 users have been refered to treatment and rehab services.

The MSIC was not a popular policy. But it seems to be working. We need more of this kind of thinking to truly help users and addicts of many drugs. Drug policy need to be reformed.

Couldn't agree more with the author. Prohibition has never worked, anywhere, for anything. Sorry, yes it does, it creates more offenders, more crime, more money to criminals, more fear for those that want a peaceful life and security.

Governments today ban anything that is too hard. Pity they don't make lying a criminal offense! Can you govern from jail? Rhetorical question.

I heard Chris Pyne ranting about the lack of action and too many talk fests. He's right but his big solution was to ban ice pipes. Good one Chris, no one would ever find an alternative. I emailed him asking him to be more creative and positive but alas, no reply....

To Sage, your sarcasm is crystal clear if I may use a pun. I'd much rather use the examples of the treatment of mental health sufferers, the homeless and the poor as being "emblematic of our advancement". Clearly no one wants more people using this rubbish but if prohibition is so succesful why doesn't the use stop?

Simple answer Sage, people will do what they want if they enjoy it. Regardless of known dangers or even certainties. That will be tomorrow's problem and therin lies one of the big flaws in the current laws. It just doesn't prevent useage, of anything.

To Middleoftheline, Are you serious? Are you aware of the current government support for mental health sufferers? What you are saying if you are so aware is that you just want government to pay lip service and ignore it mostly.

I must also point out that use of illicit drugs or any other banned product is nothing to do with mental health problems. They come after using. Using your idea anyone who drinks alcohol should be included in your suggestion as that creates more mental health problems than any, or all, illicit drugs. research it.

Hi RobbyH

I am aware that the current level of government funding and interest in mental health issues is lousy. Do you honestly think that if such a major change in the way we approach illicit drugs were to take place it would not happen without significant funding and government interest in mental health?
You said
"I must also point out that use of illicit drugs or any other banned product is nothing to do with mental health problems. They come after using. Using your idea anyone who drinks alcohol should be included in your suggestion as that creates more mental health problems than any, or all, illicit drugs. research it."

You seem to be contradicting yourself about use of illicit drugs having nothing to do with mental health problems then saying it comes after using.
Actually, mental health sufferers have been known to turn to illicit drugs to self-medicate. Abuse of illicit drugs can lead to mental health problems. Both are true.
Abuse of alcohol, glue, petrol.. you name it, can lead to mental health problems. This is why I believe a greater focus needs to be given to the mental health industry to help prevent substance abuse and harm minimisation in our community rather than leave it as a law enforcement issue.

Excellent article and some excellent responses also.

When I think of the sheer insanity of prohibition, its total failure to achieve even a single one of its stated goals and particularly the ludicrously high costs to every single member of society that this failure is causing, I am just blown away with utter disbelief.

Not only does prohibition fail on all accounts, but it also causes the overwealming majority of the negative effects surrounding drugs.

Yes many illicit drugs are harmful, but 99% of that harm is caused by prohibition.

The puritantical zeal of the anti-fun brigade is just part and parcel of Australian society, but the blind ignorance of those whos job it is to protect our health, freedom and civil liberties is simply immoral and unacceptable.

It should be illegal for a government to subject its citizens to a policy which flies directly in the face of virtually all scientific, social and moral evidence.

I think that dissent is alive and well however when you here statistics such as up to 25% of 16-30 year olds regularly take ecstacy in Australia - stick that in your meth pipe Mr Howard.