Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to have incorporated some further information in response to a question asked of me by Senator Allison on Tuesday. In doing so, I indicate to Senator Birmingham that, in accordance with past practice, we would be happy to give him leave at 3.30 at the end of taking note of answers to questions without notice.

Leave granted.

The answer read as follows—

There are significant personal, social and economic costs associated with drug abuse.

Under the National Drug Strategy, the Australian, State and Territory Governments pursue a comprehensive policy approach that is underpinned by three aims:

• Supply reduction: strategies to disrupt the production and supply of illicit drugs, and the control and regulation of licit substances;
• Demand reduction: strategies to prevent the uptake of harmful drug use, including abstinence oriented strategies and other treatments to reduce drug use; and
• Harm reduction: strategies that reduce drug-related harms to individuals, families and communities, including:
• Pharmacotherapy treatments such as methadone and buprenorphine, which are funded by the Government through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and are provided at no cost to community pharmacists;
• Needle and Syringe Programs that aim to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and other blood borne viruses such as Hepatitis C;
• Drug diversion initiatives aimed at diverting non-violent offenders away from the criminal justice system and into appropriate assessment, education and treatment services; and
• Significant assistance to support a range of alcohol and other drug treatment services through the Non-Government Organisation Treatment Grants Program.

Funding for the Non-Government Organisation Treatment Grants Program increased by approximately $12.6 million in 2007-08 compared to 2006-07.