Comparative Drug Policy Analysis

Australia’s alcohol policies may differ depending on the state, territory, or local area. In regards to age limits, any person under the age of 18 cannot buy, receive, or consume alcohol on a licensed premises. However, if they are in the presence of a parent or guardian, they are not in violation of alcohol laws. Additionally, in some states in Australia it is illegal to supply a person under the age of 18 with alcohol in a private home, unless there is a parent or guardian has given permission. This is referred to as secondary supply. (What is secondary supply? 2013) New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory all regulate secondary supply by law, while other states and territories do not. In this case, the minor drinking the alcohol is not in violation of the law, but the person who supplied the alcohol could be in violation if it is not their parent or guardian. Usually the penalty for the offence is in the form of a fine. (Drug law in Australia 2013)

In contrast, the minimum drinking age in the Untied States is 21 years of age. In addition, all states in the United States prohibit providing alcohol to minors under the age of 21. Some states may have limited exceptions under the circumstances of lawful employment, religious activities, or consent by a parent, guardian, or spouse. In cases where there is legal consumption of alcohol by persons younger than the age of 21, it is often limited to private locations. However, no state has an exception that permits anyone other than a family member to provide alcohol, such as a responsible adult. Social hosts are responsible for underage drinkers on property they own, lease, or control, whether or not they knowingly provided minors with alcohol. (Consumer Information. (n.d.)

In regards to amphetamines, the use of this drug is restricted in Australia. A medical doctor can only prescribe this drug, and only for medical purposes. Federal and state laws stipulate penalties for possessing, using, making, selling or driving under the influence of amphetamines without a prescription. Benzodiazepines, oxycodone, and methadone are examples of other drugs that are also illegal without a doctor prescription, as well as selling these drugs to another person. In regards to tobacco, federal and state laws do not allow the selling or supplying of tobacco to people under the age of 18. Additionally, it is illegal for people 18 years old and younger to purchase tobacco products. There are also laws that regulate and restrict how tobacco products are advertised, promoted and packaged; as well as laws and regulations restricting smoking in public areas and bans on smoking in cars with children. Examples of illegal drugs in Australia include, but are not limited to, cannabis, some synthetic cannabinoids, cocaine, ecstasy, GHB, heroin, crystal meth, LSD, mephedrone, PCP, and PMA. In some states and territories, there are also laws that make the sale and possession of bongs and other smoking equipment illegal. Penalties for breaking laws in relation to alcohol and other drugs include fines, prison time, and taking away driving privileges. In reference to affects of drugs and drug laws in society, some areas in Australia have drug diversion programs that provide treatment and education to those with drug problems instead of placing them in the criminal justice system. (Drug law in Australia.)

In the United States, the Controlled Substances Act schedules all drugs in accordance to how and how much they are regulated. (DEA / Drug Scheduling. (n.d.) Amphetamines are listed as schedule II, as well as methamphetamine, oxycodone, and cocaine. Unlike Australia, benzodiazepines are schedule IV, meaning they are not highly regulated. GHB regulation is also different in the United States than Australia. Unless it is used as a date rape drug, the status of GHB is schedule III and is therefore, not illegal. In the United States, the selling of tobacco is also restricted. The age limit to purchase tobacco is also 18 years of age. Additionally, the FDA implemented rules that restrict the way tobacco companies can advertise and sell cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products, especially those efforts that are designed to appeal to children and teens. (New FDA rules will greatly restrict tobacco advertising and sales. 2010) Like in Australia, Cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids, ecstasy, heroin, LSD, and PCP are also illegal drugs in the United States. In regards to treatment programs, the United States is currently more invested in sending people with drug offences into the criminal justice system, especially by implementing legislation such as the three strikes laws and mandatory sentencing. Legislation and drug enforcement policies like these have a profound effect on society and the population distributions in prisons.

As far as drug culture, Australia has the distinction of having the highest proportion of recreational drug users in the world. (Australia comes top of global list for recreational drug use in United Nation’s 2014 World Drug Report. 2014). According to statistics in the United Nations’ 2014 World Drug report, Australia led the world in the use of ecstasy, third in the world for the use of methamphetamines, and fourth in cocaine use. Addiction to prescribed or black-market opiates is ranked second only behind the United States. Additionally, ten percent of the working age population regularly uses cannabis. The major types of illicit drugs in Australia include amphetamines, cannabis cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens, heroin, inhalants, pharmaceuticals, and steroids. Alcohol is the most recreationally used drug, while cannabis is the most used illicit drug. (Illicit drug types. 2011) As of June 2014, Australia was in the midst of an ice epidemic, similar to the crack cocaine epidemic of the United States. (Drugs like ice have Australia hooked. 2014) Like Australia, alcohol is the most used drug and marijuana is the most commonly used illicit substance in the United States. (Media Guide. 2014) Australia and the United States have both similarities and differences in the drug laws and drug use in their countries, all of which affect the country and its citizens.

References

Carswell, A. (2014, July 7). Australia comes top of global list for recreational drug use in United Nation’s 2014 World Drug Report. Retrieved April 6, 2015, from http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/australia-comes-top-of-global-list-for-recreational-drug-use-in-united-nations-2014-world-drug-report/story-fni0cx12-1226979809971

Consumer Information. (n.d.). Retrieved April 6, 2015, from https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0388-alcohol-laws-state

DEA / Drug Scheduling. (n.d.). Retrieved April 6, 2015, from http://www.dea.gov/druginfo/ds.shtml

Drug law in Australia. (2013, June 13). Retrieved April 6, 2015, from http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/topics/drug-law-in-australia

Drugs like ice have Australia hooked. (2014, June 4). Retrieved April 6, 2015, from http://www.news.com.au/national/drugs-like-ice-have-australia-hooked/story-fncynjr2-1226942341808

Illicit drug types. (2011, April 12). Retrieved April 6, 2015, from http://www.aic.gov.au/crime_types/drugs_alcohol/drug_types.html

Media Guide. (2014, September 1). Retrieved April 6, 2015, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/media-guide/most-commonly-used-addictive-drugs

New FDA rules will greatly restrict tobacco advertising and sales. (2010, March 19). Retrieved April 6, 2015, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/18/AR2010031803004.html

What is secondary supply? (2013, June 1). Retrieved April 6, 2015, from http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/fact-sheets/what-is-secondary-supply-web-fact-sheet-2