Alcohol and Drugs

Alcohol is considered a powerful drug. It is a real problem for teenagers in that it is seen as part of growing up, but can be seen by some without any real dangers.

About 90% of Australian adults have drunk alcohol at one time or another. 2004-05 statistics compiled by the AIHW on alcohol and drug use indicate that alcohol was the most common drug of concern for people seeking treatment.

Binge drinking has become a problem over the last 10 years with teenagers drinking heavily over short periods of time resulting in severe intoxication or alcohol poisoning to the point where they vomit and are unconscious.

Binge drinking – 18-24 year olds.

33% classify themselves as binge drinkers

60% have friends who regularly binge drink

33% think 10 drinks or more on one occasion is not excessive

4% have drunk to excess and passed out more than 20 times

22% have drunk to excess and passed out more than 5 times

87% would seek help if they thought they had a drinking problem

About 10% of Australia’s health costs are alcohol-related, and alcohol is a contributing factor to 71% of drug-induced deaths in 15-34 year olds, including road accidents.

Laws in place to do with alcohol are:

- young people under 18 are not allowed to purchase alcohol

- they cannot drink alcohol unless they are in their own home or someone else’s house or in a hotel or restaurant having a meal with their parents

- people under 18 cannot sell or serve alcohol in a bottle shop, hotel or restaurant

- it is illegal for a person under 18 to be caught in possession of or drinking alcohol in a public place

- it is also illegal to sell alcohol to people under 18 or to buy it for them if you are not their parent

Illicit drugs: cocaine and crack

Cocaine and crack have devastating effects on the lives, families and careers of users. Most uses are often unemployed men in their 20’s and 30’s. it is rare among secondary students.

There is a high risk of addiction, violent or erratic behaviour, hallucinations, cocaine psychosis, eating or sleeping disorders, impaired sexual performance, ongoing respiratory problems, ulceration of the mucous membrane of the nose, collapse of the nasal septum, cardiac arrest of respiratory arrest and convulsions. Can often be mixed with substances that are poisonous when injected, resulting in damage to the heart, brain and liver.

heroin, morphine and codeine

These drugs are very powerful and highly addictive. An addicted person experiences highs ad desperate lows, needing more and more to cope with daily life. A user will suffer from chronic constipation and mood swings, and risk death from overdose or HIV and hepatitis injections through the sharing of needles. Overdoses are common.

A heroin user who has managed to kick the habit of this addiction will say that the best thing about being off it is “having their life back.”

ecstasy

Ecstasy is likely to cause insomnia, depression, anxiety, paranoia, fatigue and difficulty in concentrating. Large quantities could bring on convulsions, vomiting, hallucinations and bizarre behaviour.

The number of people that use ecstasy has increased over the last couple of years and according to the Victorian police, most users do not realize that almost all of the ecstasy tablets made in Aus are imitations of the real thing. This means Australians are swallowing thousands of fake pills, and using their money to buy dangerous combinations of pharmaceutical ingredients.

GHB

hamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is also known as ‘grievous bodily harm; or liquid ecstasy. It is a depressant drug containing sedatives and can result in relaxation but too much can cause drowsiness, nausea, seizures and comas.

GHB is used in dance clubs or raves and may be used to spike the drinks of people at these venues. The effects begin within just 15 minutes and last for about 3 hours. GHB is also commonly known to be sold as clear liquid in bottles.

cannabis

Cannabis, marijuana and hashish give users a sense of euphoria and relaxation, although they also cause anxiety and panix. They effect memory and the ability to think logically, whilst also increasing heart rate and causing the user to be more susceptible to fatigue.

the long-term effects are reduced self-motivation, increased agitation and introversion, reduced ability to learn and respiratory illness.

penalties =

In Victoria, a person who uses cannabis can be fined five penalty units, and a penalty unit is approximately $110. The use of other drugs carries a maximum fine of 30 penalty units and/or one year of imprisonment.

Possession of a small quantity of drugs is treated more leniently than growing, manufacturing or trafficking drugs. The punishment for trafficking in illegal drugs will depend on the quantity of drugs in the person’s possession and can range from 15 years to life imprisonment.

drink spiking

In recent year, incidents of drink spiking has increased thoroughly. A spiked drink refers to a drink which has had alcohol or drugs added without the drinker’s knowledge or consent, deeming this person vulnerable to assault or sexual assault.

chroming:

The police have been given the power to use reasonable force to search, detain and transport young people they suspect of volatile substance abuse – otherwise known as ‘chroming’.

The Victorian government’s aim is to protect the young person’s health and welfare. The crime prevention committee’s recommendation states that chroming should not be a crime but is a heatlh issue, and therefore police use detention and search procedures to confiscate any volatie substances and to provide appropriate assistance by calling an ambulance, DHS and youth alcohol/drug services.

Alcohol vending machines

The liquor control reform (underage drinking and enhanced enforcement Act 2004. VIC. brought in tougher laws for people who sell alcohol to minors, with fines up to $6000.

This act allows guardians to accompany a minor into the a licensed premises and also allows the unstallment of alcohol vending machines within the premises.

The Victorian Opposition tried to pass an amendment in the upper house banning the machines. It condemned the laws saying that it would give drunken people who are refused service from bar staff ready access to alcohol. It would also create an increase in young people entering licensed premises illegally or in the company of parents or relatives.