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Canberra Today 16°/19° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

An ACT strategy on alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use

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SIMON Corbell has released a draft strategy that aims to prevent and reduce the harms caused by alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use.

The draft ACT Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Strategy 2016-20 is available for community consultation until Monday, 18 December 2015.

“Alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs account for 14.7 per cent of the total burden of disease and injury across Australia,” Simon said.

“This whole of government strategy sets out 31 actions to deal with alcohol, tobacco and other drug availability, production and supply, and the associated harm they have on individuals and communities.

“There is currently a great deal of concern about the use and effects of drugs, including crystal methamphetamines. The ACT is facing unprecedented challenges when it comes to ice use and more people than ever before are seeking treatment.

“Between 2010 and 2013, treatment episodes for amphetamines as the primary drug increased from 198 to 496 cases in the ACT. The recent use of crystal methamphetamine has more than doubled over this time from 22 per cent to 50 per cent.”

The draft strategy sets out a range of actions to prevent or delay the uptake of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs among young people.

“We recognise that alcohol is involved in a significant proportion of reported domestic violence and child protection incidents and that alcohol does increase the likelihood of violence occurring and the severity of harms,” Mr Corbell said.

“To tackle these complex issues, we need action from health, education and law enforcement agencies, which I believe this strategy sets out.

“I welcome feedback on these actions, and how we can improve the health across our community now and into the future,” Mr Corbell said.

Submissions can be made via the Time to Talk website at: timetotalk.act.gov.au.

[Photo by Quinn Dombrowski, attribution licence]

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