Today, in Brisbane, I attended a special service of support for individuals
and families suffering through illicit drug use. I was fortified in
my determination to stem the flow of drugs into the country, educate
our young people, and help those whose lives have been ruined by the
cycle of drug dependency and associated crime.
At the service I was pleased to announce the membership of the new
Australian National Council on Drugs. I was also pleased to announce
the second instalment of my government's "Tough on Drugs"
strategy worth in excess of $100 million over four years. This is
in addition to the $87.5 million I announced in November
1997.
I have appointed Major Brian Watters as Chairman of the Australian
National Council on Drugs. Major Brian Watters has 23 years experience
as a Salvation Army Officer, primarily in the areas of drug and alcohol
addiction. He is well placed to provide advice from the front line
in our fight against drugs. The Deputy Chairman is Commissioner Mick
Palmer of the Australian Federal Police. Commissioner Palmer has 30
years of law enforcement experience, and is highly regarded in international
policing circles.
The new Council will ensure that the expert voice of non-government
organisations and individuals working in the drug field reaches all
levels of government and influences policy.
The Council will advise on licit and illicit drugs. Its first priority
will be to advise on the development and implementation of the National
Illicit Drug Strategy, including advice on the allocation of the funds
I announced today and last November.
The Council has broad representation, including from volunteer and
community organisations, law enforcement, education, health and social
welfare interests. The Council members will bring their expertise
and years of experience and commitment to the national effort to combat
drugs.
This second instalment of more than $100 million announced today builds
on a balanced and integrated approach to reducing the supply of and
demand for illicit drugs and minimising the harm they cause. This
money targets each step in the drug chain from its importation and
distribution, to its consumption. This includes additional funds to
attack organised crime links with large scale heroin trafficking;
new Australian Federal Police mobile strike teams in Perth, Brisbane
and Melbourne; significantly more money for non-government organisation
drug treatment facilities; and a community education and information
campaign.
Today I have written to Premiers and Chief Ministers informing them
about the new Council and my Government's second instalment on the
Tough on Drugs strategy. I am looking to my State and Territory colleagues
to throw their weight behind this strategy.
In 1996 there were 526 heroin related deaths in Australia. Eighty
five percent of those deaths involved people who were not in treatment.
Illicit drugs are associated with over 40,000 hospital bed days each
year in Australia and a national turnover in excess of $7 billion
each year.
Research shows that more than half, and possibly up to 80% of property
offences have some drug involvement. Between 45% and 60% of convicted
offenders committed property crimes to support drug habits. Some 64%
of offenders admitted using drugs (to give them a lift, or courage)
to commit an offence.
I am determined to confront this social and economic problem. We need
this moral leadership for our children's sake.
Attached are details of the members of the new Australian National
Council on Drugs.
16 March 1998
Background
Members of the Australian National Council on Drugs
Major Brian Watters, Director of the South-Eastern Region,
Salvation Army, Sydney. Major Watters has been a Salvation Army
Officer for 23 years, mainly working in services dealing with addiction.
He has managed various drug and alcohol treatment facilities and is
presently the Commander of the Salvation Army's Rehabilitation Services
Command. Major Watters is the Salvation Army's spokesman on addictions.
The Major is on the NSW and Queensland Boards of DRUG-ARM Australia
and was the past President of the NSW Network of Alcohol and Drug
Agencies (NADA).
Commissioner Mick Palmer AO APM, Commissioner, Australian Federal
Police, Canberra. Commissioner Palmer is a 30 year police practitioner
who has enjoyed service in both the State/Territory and Federal areas
of policing within Australia. He was sworn in as the Commissioner
of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in June 1994. In 1997 the Commissioner
was unanimously elected for three years as representative for Asia
on Interpol's Executive Committee.
Professor Wayne Hall, Executive Director, National Drug and
Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) and Professor of Drug and Alcohol
Studies, University of New South Wales, Sydney.
Ms Karyn Hart, President, Australian Secondary Principals'
Association, Brisbane. Ms Hart has been involved in secondary
school education since 1974 and she is currently the Principal of
Rochedale State High School in Brisbane.
Ms Jude Byrne, Immediate Past President, Australian Intravenous
League, Canberra. In 1996 Ms Byrne was awarded the Rolleston
Award (an international award recognising outstanding contribution
to the reduction of drug-related harm).
Professor Ian Webster AO, President, Alcohol and other Drugs
Council of Australia, Sydney. Professor Webster has been involved
in the drug and alcohol fields throughout his medical and academic
career, and currently teaches medical students and staff working in
the field.
Mr Wesley Noffs, Chief Executive Officer, The Ted Noffs Foundation,
Sydney. Mr Noffs has held senior management positions in the field
of alcohol and other drugs for 13 years.
Mr Arthur Toon, Director, Cyrenian House, Perth. Mr Toon is
the immediate past Chairman of the WA Network of Alcohol and other
Drug Agencies.
Mr Scott Wilson, Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Inc.,
Adelaide. Mr Wilson was awarded the Alcohol and other Drug Council
of Australia (ADCA) Australia Day Achievement Medallion.
Mr Tony Trimingham, Damien Trimingham Foundation, Sydney. Mr
Trimingham established the Damien Trimingham Foundation and its working
project, 'Family Drug Support'.
Associate Professor Margaret Hamilton, Director, Turning Point
Alcohol and Drug Service, Melbourne. Associate Professor Hamilton
has provided senior policy advice in Australia over her 30 year career
in alcohol and drug services.
Other members. The Council will also have one nominee from
the Inter-Governmental Committee on Drugs, an officials' group supporting
the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy; and two nominees from the
National Expert Advisory Committees to the Ministerial Council on
Drug Strategy.