Fed: Drug use falling but concern over drugs/mental illness

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Fed: Drug use falling but concern over drugs/mental illness

An inquiry's been told illicit drug use in Australia is starting to decline, but there'sgrowing concern about the link between mental illness and drug usage.

Australian National Council on Drugs chairman BRIAN WATTERS has told a parliamentaryinquiry that a range of initiatives in the fight against drug use are beginning to yieldresults.

He says for the first time in many years there's a downturn in the levels of illicitdrug use in Australia.

He's speaking before a Standing Committee on Family and Community Affairs, which isexamining the social and economic costs of substance abuse. It's due to report at theend of the year.

Major WATTERS says a growing concern is the issue of mental illness among substanceabusers -- particularly the lack of services for such people.

The inquiry's also heard that cannabis smokers are using more dangerous doses of thedrug than they were 20 years ago.

AAP RTV so/sw/rp

KEYWORD: DRUGS (CANBERRA)