MARIJUANA was named the drug of choice for those involved the Generation Next survey. At the launch of the survey, City of Ballarat youth development officer Larelle Kuczer said she was happy that only 20 per cent of participants said they had tried illicit drugs. Even so, young people The Courier spoke about drugs were still confused about what were safe and non-safe drugs. Dean, 16, who did not want his surname used, said he saw marijuana as a safer drug than others available. [continues 247 words]
BALLARAT'S John De Jong and his family intend to enjoy a quiet Christmas this year, after enduring the most traumatic week of their lives. Mr De Jong was yesterday cleared by Victoria Police of drug use, after returning the world's first positive roadside drug test on December 13. "This has been the most traumatic event of my life, not only for me but for my family," he said. Mr De Jong, who will celebrate his 40th birthday on Christmas Day, said his family had stood by him during the stressful time. [continues 524 words]
CANNABIS production in the Ballarat region has more than doubled in the past six months, according to police. Police say more people are growing cannabis and in larger quantities as a result of a nationwide downturn in heroin availability. The revelation comes days after police from the Ballarat and Geelong Traffic Management Units seized 268 cannabis plants in raids on three Haddon properties and one in Melbourne. The haul was the largest seized by Ballarat police in three years and had a street value of $450,000. [continues 293 words]
DRUG addicts in Ballarat are injecting prescription drugs to counter a worldwide shortage of heroin. From dealing with an average of one overdose a week in Ballarat two years ago, Rural Ambulance Victoria has recorded only three heroin overdoses in the city over the past 12 months. Heroin overdoses in Ballarat have dropped to their lowest level in recent memory with supplies of the drug all but dried up since the fall of the Taliban in Afghanistan and busts by Australian authorities. [continues 228 words]
BALLARAT Mayor John Barnes' foray into the drugs debate was an interesting if controversial one, with the civic boss suggesting the Federal Government examine decriminailsing the use of heroin. It's not a new proposal. Many experts agree with Cr Barnes that prohibition has never worked and never will -- that to control the problem we need to deal with it under the umbrella of health services rather than in the criminal justice system. Nevertheless, it was still a most candid response from Cr Barnes. And, while we don't agree with him, his statements will hopefully serve to make people realise it will take drastic and constant action to address this pressing community issue. [continues 215 words]
Opposition Is Mounting To Safe-Injecting Rooms Trial THE AUSTRALIAN Parent Movement (APM) has slammed State Government plans to establish safe heroin injecting rooms and has called for funds to instead be directed towards the establishment of major drug rehabilitation and detoxification units. APM president Dyonn Dimmock said Victorians were in desperate need of a detox centre with at least 100 beds to help reform drug addicts. Ms Dimmock said she had spoken with many Ballarat parents who backed her plea. [continues 344 words]
STUDENTS at Wesley College's Clunes campus could be subject to random drug testing in the near future. The school yesterday confirmed it was considering implementing the use of blood and/or urine testing in a bid to identify student drug users. Clunes campus director Rob Marshall said the school saw the issue not as a criminal matter but as a health concern. "We have a moral and legal obligation to provide a unquestionable standard of health and care for our students," Mr Marshall said. [continues 368 words]
