The Proven Success of Drug Prevention

This is a repeat of a presentation made by Gary Christian, President of Drug Free Australia, at its mini Drug Summit on 23 October 2024 in NSW Parliament House.
Drug Prevention organisations had asked to have a seat at the table in the actual NSW Drug Summit set down for 4/5 December 2024. Despite getting written requests to the Premier 5 months before the Summit, they were denied.
This presentation shows that whenever Harm Reduction measures have been given drug policy priority in Australia, the country which first initiated them internationally, drug deaths have literally skyrocketed. When Drug Prevention, rehab and interdiction were given priority over HR in this country, drug related harms and deaths plummeted.
The mortality-increasing mechanisms within 5 Harm Reduction measures which will be heavily promoted at the Drug Summit are each explored - pill testing, injecting rooms, decriminalising the use of heroin, ice, speed, cocaine and ecstasy, legalising the recreational use of cannabis, and allowing intoxicated medical cannabis patients to drive on our roads.
Finally, four countries that have had excellent success with drug prevention and rehabilitation programming are discussed, demonstrating that we know exactly what will save lives. The Drug Summit must embrace saving lives above throwing them away.