rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Situational analysis of drug and alcohol issues and responses in the Pacific
2
by the University of New South Wales on
behalf of the World Health Organization
(WHO) exploring issues around ‘Adolescents
and substance use in the Western Pacific
Region’, 7 as well as a Desk Review of Programs
for Most At-Risk Young People in Six
Pacific Countries by the Burnet Institute on
behalf of the Adolescent Health Development
Program and UNICEF’s Asia–Pacific Shared
Services Centre. 8
This analysis also seeks to highlight research
priorities identified in cooperation with key
informants to further inform the development
of country profiles. Importantly, many
of the PDARN members have identified capacity
building in research skills and a greater
understanding of drug and alcohol use as
vital first steps in this process.
In reports from PDARN participants and service
providers, anecdotally and in the media,
high and increasing levels of cannabis, kava
and alcohol use have been identified as key
areas of concern in Pacific communities. 9
Other areas of concern include inhalant use
and possible correlations between drug use
and violence. Information regarding emerging
local drug markets — in particular, use
of amphetamine-type substances and other
stimulants — is equivocal. However, while not
necessarily an indicator of local substance
use trends, relatively recent drug seizures
across the region support the view that there
is cause for concern. 10 In addition, regional
bodies such as the Oceania Customs Organisation
(OCO) have highlighted existing geographical
and structural risk factors making
the Pacific an ideal transhipment point for
illegal drugs. Key informants have identified
that limited information flow between international
coordinating bodies and enforcement
agencies and national law enforcement
and health service providers remains a fundamental
barrier which continues to impair
stakeholder ability to identify and respond
quickly and locally to emerging trends.
However, there is an apparent bias toward law
enforcement responses to illicit drug issues.
Most available data are from the United
States Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) and the United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The OCO also
reports on seizures, threats and associated
responses of the enforcement agencies.
These responses are accompanied by pressure
to amend legislation, to ratify the United
Nations conventions on narcotics control 11
7 Personal communication: project expected to be completed in late 2009.
8 Personal communication, November 2008.
9 3rd PDARN meeting, July 2008.
10 Advice by S. Wimmer, National Manager, International Branch, Australian Government
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 19 December 2008, to the Australian Senate Standing
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade in response to questions on notice (21
November 2008) concerning transhipment points for illegal drugs and trafficking on illegal
drugs and weapons; R. McCusker (2008), The Precursor Chemical Trade Environment in Oceania.
Research and Public Policy series, no. 96. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology;
Oceania remains vulnerable to illicit drugs, Australian Institute of Criminology media release, 17
November 2008.
11 Listed in detail at section 1.6 of this report (Regional networks and reponses).