Examples of a health-based approach to alcohol and other drugs

With the ACT decriminalising drug possession, there’s been a lot of talk about a ‘health-based approach’ to drugs.

But what does this approach look like?

Here, we explore examples of a health-based approach to alcohol and other drugs.

To read more about the changes happening in the ACT, visit our article A health-based approach to alcohol and other drugs.

Drug checking (pill testing)

Pill testing, or drug checking, allows a person who is already in possession of a drug to test it to find out what it actually contains.¹

Pill testing can change people’s drug-taking behavior, for example they might take a lower dose or not take the drug at all if the test shows a substance other than what was expected. This helps prevent overdose and saves lives.^{1, 2}

Pill testing is currently being trialed in the ACT, and Queensland recently announced it will be allowed in the state for the first time.³

Medically supervised injecting rooms

Medically supervised injecting rooms (MSIRs), or centres, are places where people can inject drugs under the supervision of medical staff and health professionals.

They play a vital role in:

• preventing overdose deaths
• reducing drug-related harm
• connecting people with health and social support services.

Since opening in 2018, the North Richmond MSIR in Victoria has safely managed over 7,049 overdoses and saved up to 63 lives.^4,5

Needle and Syringe Programs

Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs) provide unused needles to people who inject drugs to reduce the transmission of blood-borne viruses (BBVs) such as HIV, hepatitis B and C.

They’ve existed in Australia since the late 1980s, and are effective at reducing BBV transmission.⁶

They can also provide harm reduction information, and link people with treatment and support services.

Sobering-up services

Sobering-up services help people who are drunk in public with immediate support. This could include:

• helping them find a safe way home
• providing water or food
• transportation to a support centre to stay while they sober up.

They are a health-based alternative to arresting someone who is intoxicated on the street.

Melbourne will launch a sobering service in 2023, following the decriminalisation of public drunkenness in Victoria.

A trial of the service found that it reduced ambulance callouts and diverted people from emergency departments.⁷

Decriminalisation

Decriminalisation involves the removal of a criminal penalty for using or possessing small amounts of drugs.

Instead of being arrested or charged, someone may receive a warning, fine, or referral to a treatment or education service.

But this doesn’t make it legal to sell or ‘deal’ drugs.

Decriminalisation measures are proven to:

• reduce rates of re-offending
• reduce costs of the criminal justice system
• improve health and wellbeing.^8,9

The approach also helps to address stigma, and improves access to treatment.¹⁰

There’s also consistent evidence that decriminalisation doesn’t encourage drug use, or increase drug taking in the community.¹¹

Decriminalisation is not the same as legalisation.

Legalisation

Legalisation is where drugs are regulated and allowed to be sold and bought according to government rules.

In Australia this includes alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and medications.

In other countries, cannabis is legal, including in Canada, Uruguay, South Africa, Jamaica, Malta and many parts of the US.¹²

Some supporters argue legalisation means people can access safer, regulated products, instead of black-market substances that may contain harmful toxins or unknown adulterants.¹³

Legalisation may reduce drug-related harms by:

• regulating the supply
• decreasing people’s contact with the criminal justice system
• reducing stigma.¹⁴

It can also increase tax revenue, which can help fund public health services.¹⁴

But, we know that commercialisation of products can increase harm. For example, alcohol advertising is linked to young people starting to drink at earlier ages and to binge drinking.^15,16

Prevention

A health-based approach also recognises the importance of prevention programs.

These programs can help people:

• avoid, delay or reduce use of alcohol and other drugs
• avoid the harms associated with use of alcohol and other drugs.

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s (ADF) Local Drug Action Team (LDAT) program supports communities to work together to prevent and minimise the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs. There are now over 270 Local Drug Action Teams across Australia.

Iceland’s Planet Youth program works to improve wellbeing and reduce rates of alcohol and other drug use among young people. It is currently being trialed through some LDATs. Find out more on the Community Hub website.

The ADF’s Good Sports program supports and inspires over 11,000 community sporting clubs to set up a better environment for players, volunteers, supporters and officials. It helps clubs tackle tricky topics such as alcohol, drugs, smoking, mental health and safe transport.

To read more, visit:

• Prevention strategies for young people
• Alcohol and other drug education in schools.

Treatment

Accessible treatment for those experiencing an issue with alcohol or other drugs is a vital part of a health-based approach.

ADF’s Path2Help connects people with the right services and information, for themselves or a loved one.

For further support and advice around alcohol or other drug treatment, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.

To find out more visit our page on Alcohol and other drug treatment.