NCJ Number
147903
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 26 Issue: 2 Dated: (July 1993) Pages: 127-145
Date Published
1993
Length
19 pages
Annotation
The National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health and the Australian Institute of Criminology are jointly engaged in a study of the feasibility of providing heroin and other opiates to heroin users in a controlled manner.
Abstract
Heroin and other illicit drug use in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is being researched as part of the study. The study indicates opiate users in the ACT are not a homogeneous group of people, and most are far removed from the stereotypical "junkie." Data suggest that the ACT may have some 1,000 dependent heroin users and over 3,000 nondependent users. More research is required, however, to develop a more precise estimate. Both quantitative and qualitative data are essential to highlight potential advantages and disadvantages of providing opiates in a controlled manner. Additional information is needed on the structure and operation of drug markets and factors involved when users move from "safe" to "harmful" patterns of drug use. A brief overview of the demographics of the ACT is presented, as well as information on illegal drug use patterns and trends, drug prices, and the impact of opiate use. 45 references, 5 notes, and 3 tables