Australia’s use of recreational drugs has reached an all-time high, according to a new UN report, with the country leading the way when it comes to ecstasy consumption.
New statistics by the UN 2014 World Drug Report, showed that the consumption of Australia’s recreational drugs such as cannabis and cocaine has increased.
Surprisingly, although Australians lead the way in ecstasy use, the consumption of this recreational drug is declining.
"In Australia, expert opinion points to an increase in the consumption of cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens, and solvents and inhalants, but a decline in the use of ecstasy," the report stated.
"There is a wide range of drug analogues and new psychoactive substances that are currently available in the Australian illicit drug market."
Australia is third in methamphetamines, fourth for cocaine use, and seventh for cannabis.
Trends in the annual prevalence of “ecstasy” use among the adult population in selected countries in Oceania, Europe and North America. (UN Drug report, 2014)
But it’s not just illegal drugs that are popular.
The UN report also showed a rise in demand for prescription pain killers such as codeine and morphine.
"Many countries have expressed concern about misuse, and available data show a high prevalence of misuse of prescription opioids in some countries," the report said.
"This includes the high-income countries, such as Australia, Canada and the United States that have high per capita consumption of opioids for medical purposes."
Geoff Munroe from the Australian Drug Foundation says the misuse of prescription painkillers is one of the most serious drug-related issues in Australia.
"Pharmeceutical drugs and pharmeceutical overdoses are now rivalling the road-toll in States like Victoria - so more people are dying overdosing on pain management drugs than are dying on our roads."
Interestingly, the increase in prescription opioid use meant that heroin dropped. The report suggested that users "resorted to prescription opioids as a substitute" and a "cheaper alternative" to the costly imported heroin.
The penalities for trafficking prescription medication is also less than for an illicit drug.
Independent Senator Nick Xenephon says the governement should consider mandatory rehablitation such as the program adopted in Sweden, or Australia's drug problem will worsen.
"It's ease of availability it's lack of having comprehensive rehabilitation and when people who get caught for trafficing get let off with fines then you know there's something wrong with the system."
