History of Drug Use in Australia Flashcards
What is a (psychoactive) drug?
Chemical substances that affect the function of the central nervous system, altering perception, mood or consciousness
How long has alcohol consumption been around?
At least 8000 years
How long has Tobacco been around?
Thousands of years
How long has Opium been around?
7000 years ago in Mesopotamia
How long has Hallucinogen use been around?
9000 years
What were drugs historically used for (e.g. entheogens)?
Ritualistic, ceremonial or medicinal use
How have the views on substance use shifted over time (e.g. coffee)?
Seen as bad and immoral to a normal part of society
Explain the shift in drug use during colonisation
- Aboriginals had limited contact with drugs besides some plant-based stimulants and depressants
- The first fleet brought medicines, drugs and hemp seeds
- early governments supported hemp growing (popular medicine)
- Late 1800s drug use was mainly opium and cocaine-based stimulants
In the 1800s, what was heroin sold as?
Cough medicine
In the 1800s, what was Morphine used to treat?
Children teething
In the 1800s, what was cocaine used to cure?
- Toothaches
- Dandruff
How long has heavy drinking been a cultural norm?
Since colonisation
List the movements about alcohol over the 1800s
1808: Rum Rebellion
1830s: ‘the Temperance Movement’ peaking during World War I/Great Depression
1837: Laws prevent Aboriginals from accessing alcohol
When were Australia’s first laws prohibiting drug use introduced? and what did they prohibit?
- 1905 Immigration Act
- Followed by-laws prohibiting Aboriginal use of Opium
When was cannabis viewed as outlawed “New Drug that Maddens Victims”
1938
1936-39: Reefer Madness Campaign
What drug patterns occurred during the 1960s-70s?
- Few law enforcement resources devoted to policing drug laws
- Increase in drug use (heroin, cannabis, LSD)
What were the underlying reasons for the increase in drug use during the 1960s-70s?
- Part of political and social opposition to Vietnam War
- Drug trafficking developed
- Growing financial capacity and increase in unemployment of young people
- Most Australian states moved to prohibitionist and criminal-justice orientation
- Nixon’s war on drugs in America
- Royal commissions
What approach did Australia’s drug policy apply in 1970/80s?
- mirrored the tough on drugs approach of the US
- conformed with international approaches of GB and USA
- 1985: Policy of harm-minimisation introduced
What drugs have increased in lifetime and recent use between 2016-19?
- Cocaine
- Hallucinogens
- Inhalants
- Cannabis
- Ketamine
- Ecstasy
- Steroids
What drugs have decreased in lifetime and recent use between 2016-19?
- Pain-killers and opioids
- New and emerging psychoactive substances
What are some strategies implemented to prevent Tobacco use?
- Packaging
- Increased Taxes
- Increased restrictions on places of use
- e-cigerettes
When did President Nixon declare a War on Drugs’?
1971
What are the 7 themes common to drug wars? (Morgan et al)
- The notion of public menace
- Political interests
- Increased criminal justice response
- Influence of media coverage
- Portrayal of drug use as infectious
- The need to protect vulnerable target groups
- Aggressive, militaristic terminology
