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Australia found to have one of the world's worst drug problems Australia found to have one of the world's worst drug problems
(21 days later)
Australia has one of the world's most serious drug problems, according to a major international study on the health burden caused by amphetamines, cocaine, cannabis and opioids.Australia has one of the world's most serious drug problems, according to a major international study on the health burden caused by amphetamines, cocaine, cannabis and opioids.
But it is not alone. Britain, the US, South Africa and Russia also have major habits and high levels of illness and death caused by drugs.But it is not alone. Britain, the US, South Africa and Russia also have major habits and high levels of illness and death caused by drugs.
On a regional level, Australasia has the highest rate of opioid and cannabis dependence and only south-east Asia is higher for amphetamines.On a regional level, Australasia has the highest rate of opioid and cannabis dependence and only south-east Asia is higher for amphetamines.
The US and Latin America have the worst cocaine problem, according to the research, which is part of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 published in The Lancet.The US and Latin America have the worst cocaine problem, according to the research, which is part of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 published in The Lancet.
The study, led by Professor Louisa Degenhardt from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at the University of New South Wales, is the first to analyse the global health burden caused by the four drug groups.The study, led by Professor Louisa Degenhardt from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at the University of New South Wales, is the first to analyse the global health burden caused by the four drug groups.
It estimates that 52 million people are dependent on the drugs and shows opioid dependence is the biggest killer and cause of disability of the four.It estimates that 52 million people are dependent on the drugs and shows opioid dependence is the biggest killer and cause of disability of the four.
Young men in high-income countries are by far the most vulnerable, according to the report.Young men in high-income countries are by far the most vulnerable, according to the report.
"Our results clearly show that illicit drug use is an important contributor to the global disease burden," Degenhardt says. "Men aged 20 to 29 are disproportionately affected at a crucial time in their lives.""Our results clearly show that illicit drug use is an important contributor to the global disease burden," Degenhardt says. "Men aged 20 to 29 are disproportionately affected at a crucial time in their lives."
Much can be done to reduce this burden, particularly treatments for opioid dependence and needle and syringe programmes, she says.Much can be done to reduce this burden, particularly treatments for opioid dependence and needle and syringe programmes, she says.
Although the study shows the injecting of drugs is a global cause of hepatitis B and C and HIV, Australia has largely managed to control this through education and injecting programmes.Although the study shows the injecting of drugs is a global cause of hepatitis B and C and HIV, Australia has largely managed to control this through education and injecting programmes.
It has also managed to reduce the burden of opioid dependence, primarily through substitution with methadone and buprenorphine.It has also managed to reduce the burden of opioid dependence, primarily through substitution with methadone and buprenorphine.
Overall, illicit drugs cause 1% per cent of global disease burden, the study shows.Overall, illicit drugs cause 1% per cent of global disease burden, the study shows.
Drug abuse is a major and growing problem, says co-author Professor Harvey Whiteford from the University of Queensland.Drug abuse is a major and growing problem, says co-author Professor Harvey Whiteford from the University of Queensland.
He says both opioids and amphetamines are high-risk, with amphetamines in particular causing aggression and admissions to emergency departments for psychosis.He says both opioids and amphetamines are high-risk, with amphetamines in particular causing aggression and admissions to emergency departments for psychosis.
"There is no doubt Australia has a culture, especially among our young people, which does not see the taking of illicit substances or binge drinking as particularly detrimental to the health. Our study suggests otherwise.""There is no doubt Australia has a culture, especially among our young people, which does not see the taking of illicit substances or binge drinking as particularly detrimental to the health. Our study suggests otherwise."
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