Time for Change Survey and Report

33 Despite widespread recognition that punitive, prohibitionist approaches to drug use are ineffective, outdated, and inhumane, the funding imbalance has persisted for over a decade. The most recent National Drug Strategy Household Survey found that 18% of Australians aged 14 and over had used an illicit substance in the past year, and 43% had done so in their lifetime, underscoring the need for evidence-based, health-centered policie s 13 . With shifting drug use patterns and the rise of novel synthetics like nitazenes, it is critical that governments prioritise investment in harm reduction. Research from the Australian Institute of Criminology strongly highlights the cost-efficiency of the AOD and harm reduction sector s. 14 F or every dollar invested in harm reduction programs, such as injecting centres and drug checking services, the community gains $27 in return. Additionally, for each dollar spent on AOD treatment, more than $5 is returned to the community. The Australian Alcohol and Other Drug Council further highlights that, since 2018, there have been 13 government inquiries in Australia related to drug polic y. 15 T he majority of these inquiries have advocated for a balanced allocation of resources across the three pillars of the National Drug Strategy: Demand, Supply, and Harm Reduction. Notably, they have called for increased investment in the Demand and Harm Reduction pillars. Despite these ongoing calls for change, the criminalisation of people who use drugs and their actions remains the status quo in how our nation continues to address the harms associated with drug and alcohol use. Investment in peer-based drug user organisations Overall, there is strong support for greater investment in peer-based drug user organisers, with support or high support from 90.1% of respondents. Peer-based drug user organisations are community-led organisations staffed and governed by people with lived/living experience of drug use. 13 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024) National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022-23. Canberra: AIHW . Available here. 14 Voce A & Sullivan T (2022) What are the monetary returns of investing in programs that reduce demand for illicit drugs? Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice no. 657. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology. Available here. 15 Australian Alcohol and Other Drugs Council (2024) ‘Submission to the Inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia: 30 September 2024’. Australian Alcohol and Other Drugs Council. Available here.