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One the one hand we have law reform – on the other we have ourselves... #70
Diana Rands from CADS reflects on the National Alcohol, Drug & Addiction Treatment Conference – Cutting Edge
Wednesday, 16 September 2008.
Originally from express article 16 September 2008
By Di from Auckland Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS)
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| Diana Rands from CADS reflects on the National Alcohol, Drug & Addiction Treatment Conference – Cutting Edge. |
I love our Addictions Conference it is where I get to: connect with wonderful people, debate issues, advocate for queers and listen to inspiring speakers. This year Dr. Alex Wodak - the Director of the Alcohol and Drug Service at St Vincent Hospital in Darlinghurst - was one of these speakers. He is also the President of the Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation and he presented compelling evidence about the failure of the ‘War on Drugs’.
You can be forgiven if you have not heard of the ‘War on Drugs’, it is term that came from (surprise, surprise) the United States, in response to rising levels of drug use. The War on (illicit) drugs however is not limited to the USA.
In 1998 the United Nations under-secretary General Pino Arlacch announced “Our slogan for the Special Session is "A Drug Free World - We Can Do It!" The United Nations and the International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) will help lead the way.”
Drug reform is a hot political potato – Dr Wodak commented that cracking down on illicit drug use is like political Viagra! He quoted a politician who stated “I know what needs to be done..., I just don’t know how to be re-elected after doing it!”.
So what is the evidence – where are the answers? Of course there is no quick fix, and drug legislation is just one of the many levels to address when it comes to reducing harms associated with drug use. The message from the conference on this is that drug related harms are health issues not legal ones. When something is illegal it makes it highly profitable to criminals, who are motivated to increase the market. Dr Wodak showed us statistics that illicit drugs are getting stronger and cheaper. At least in New Zealand our drug policy is one of harm minimisation, one example of this is the many needle-exchange outlets through out the country.
Law reform is one aspect – but what about an individual's struggle with addiction?
The final key note speaker at the conference was Paraire Huata speaking on ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Wellbeing’. His focus was on personal recovery which he believes is inextricably linked to spirituality. To illustrate his point he talked about the 12 steps of AA translating them into a practical ‘guide for living’. His speech was compelling and inspirational for us all, emphasising core values which we all know are vital for a healthy, meaningful and fulfilling life. These include: reflection, letting go of our ego, faith, making amends, stopping to listen – developing what he called ‘spiritual power tools’.
Definitely food for thought...
When you’re ready to talk about your alcohol or other drug use, or you’re concerned about someone else, contact CADS on 845 1818 or www.cads.org.nz. If you live outside Auckland contact Alcohol and Drug Helpline 0800 787 797.
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