Despite the widely held perception that drug-related problems are mainly caused by the use of illicit drugs, tobacco and alcohol are responsible for the most harm associated with drugs in our community.
It is estimated that tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption account for 93% of all drug-related death and illness. This, however, does not negate the effect of illicit drug use on the community, including overdose-related deaths, involvement in crime, and the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne viruses.
The cost of drug use in Australia has been estimated at $34.5 billion per annum. On a population basis, the annual cost of drug use to the Queensland community reaches $6.5 billion. These costs cover health care, loss of productivity, law enforcement, crime, and the impact of premature death.
Each year, drug use in Queensland accounts for 4,300 deaths (almost one in five of all deaths in the State), and over 55,000 hospital admissions.
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