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Medically supervised injection clinics are a topical, yet controversial approach to the issue of drug addiction in Australia. Substance abuse negatively impacts many Australians and it is essential that these implications are minimised. Injection facilities have proven to be effective in decreasing mortality, successfully encouraging drug addicts to seek further health treatment and promoting sanitary practices that reduce issues such as disease transmission. It can be argued that opening injection clinics will increase criminal activity in the area in which the facility is located and condones the use of illicit drugs. However these concepts are un-researched and can be easily refuted. Numerous studies have proven that medically supervised injection clinics does not increase crime rates; some studies have even shown decreases in criminal activity since the opening of these clinics. The idea that these centres condone drug abuse is completely inaccurate, as the primary purpose of these facilities is to help individuals become sober and sustain from drug use, while supporting them to build promising futures for themselves. This essay will argue and demonstrate the importance of opening medically supervised injection centres across Australia in accessible and safe locations where volunteers and health care workers are trained to be judgement free and work with individuals to reduce drug-related harm in society.
Drug abuse – A Public Health Issue
In recent years the number of fatalities of those in Australia relating to injecting illicit drugs (most commonly methamphetamine and heroin) has inclined and hence the importance of tackling the public health issue of drug addiction has respectively increased. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reported that the rate of heroin related deaths in Australia has increased from 0.84 to 1.75 out of 100,000 people from 2008-2018 (AIHW, 2020). Similarly, the number of drug-induced deaths related to methamphetamine has increased from 0.4 to 1.6 deaths out of 100,000 people from 1999-2017 (AIHW, 2020). It is important to note that there are groups of individuals who are more susceptible to drug addiction due to various factors such as their socio economic status. Most evidently, Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders are more vulnerable to drug addiction compared to non-Indigenous Australian population as over one quarter (27%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders equal to or above the age of 14 have used illicit drugs in the past 12 months, which is a rate 1.8 times higher than non-Indigenous Australians (AIHW, 2020). In addition to this, individuals with mental disorders such as depression and anxiety and people engaged in the criminal justice system are also highly susceptible.
Drug addiction is a public health issue as dependance on drugs leads to an endless list of physical and mental health problems (for the abusers themselves and the people surrounding them). Among the most common is a weakened immune system (leading to an increased risk of illness and infection), heart conditions (ranging from abnormal heart rates to collapsed veins and blood vessels), nausea and abdominal pain (leading to a loss of appetite and decreased weight), memory impairment, problems with attention and decision making, along with mental confusion and brain damage (Effects of Drug Abuse and Addiction, 2020). Not only does addiction cause individual harm, but stress to society as a whole. It can deteriorate relationships with family and friends, effect the workplace (in regards to employers and co-workers), increase the rates of crime and places strain on the healthcare system. Hence, it is vital that strategies and interventions are enforced to minimise drug related harm in the communities.
Reducing drug-related harm in Australia
Due to the increasing rates of drug abuse, it is essential that strategies are implemented to combat the issue of drug addiction. Medically supervised injection clinics for drug users is an innovative concept that has proven to be extremely successful through numerous trials. These injection clinics provide a safe place for individuals to use drugs and provides immediate access to medical care and a variety of health and social welfare services.
Injection clinics are primarily beneficial as they offer a clean and safe environment for users to inject their drugs rather than individuals injecting drugs in unsanitary and exposed public areas. This prevents the general public and impressionable individuals (such as children and teenagers) from witnessing drug abuse and fatal overdoses. An example of an injecting clinic in Australia is the Uniting Medically Supervised Injecting Centre which has been operating out of Kings Cross, Sydney since 2001. Their team has supported over 16,500 clients, managed over 8,500 overdoses and has had 0 fatalities. It is likely that without this clinic the clients who overdosed would not have been able to access instant medical help and potentially died as a result. Hence it is essential these clinics are in practice as they work towards preventing a large number of fatalities. It is important to note that there has been no recorded fatality of a drug overdose at an injection clinic (NPR).
Not only can medically supervised injection clinics promote the health of individuals, but society as a whole. A common occurrence amongst drug users is the sharing of syringes which places drug users at risk of disease transmission, the most notable infection being Human Immunodeficiency
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