Evidence-based Drug Policy

Mary Porter has again hosted another in the series of drug policy seminars in the Reception Room at the Legislative Assembly.

The keynote speaker was Associate Professor Alison Ritter from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. Associate Professor Ritter and her team are currently undertaking cutting edge research into drug policy development. The $7 million project is being funded by the philanthropic organisation The Colonial Foundation Trust.

"There are many challenges in the development and implementation of drug policy " Associate Professor Ritter said. "On the one hand drug issues create very strong emotional feelings in the community and therefore in the minds of policy makers such that evidence that should underpin those decisions is frequently overlooked. Conversely researchers become frustrated because they don't realise that evidence is not the only driver of drug policy."

The aim of the Drug Policy Modelling Program is to develop an evidenced base for drug policy and create valuable new drug policy insights, ideas and interventions that will allow Australia to respond better to illicit drug use.

"The research will bridge the gap between researchers and policy makers" Associate Professor Ritter continued, "enabling researchers to present their findings in a more meaningful way and enable policy makers to better use the research and the evidence."

"The drug debate is always an emotive one" Mary Porter said, "the more we are able to do to understand what works and why, the greater will be our opportunity of developing and implementing effective drug prevention and treatment programs."