Pubdate: Tue, 25 Feb 2003
Source: Australian, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2003 News Limited
Contact:  http://www.theaustralian.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/35

JAIL NO DETERRENT FOR DRUG USERS: RESEARCH

New research has found convicted users of illicit drugs are less likely to 
develop more serious drug addictions if they are not sent to jail or given 
criminal records.

A Perth expert on drug abuse says studies indicate early intervention can 
deter people from succumbing to more serious drugs and criminal activity.

Associate Professor Wendy Loxley from the National Drug Research Institute 
says there is no evidence to suggest drug convictions, jail terms and 
criminal records are effective deterrents.

"In many cases, particularly say, marijuana users, giving them a criminal 
record just has very negative outcomes for their lives ever thereafter," 
she said.

"In some cases, they have a sense of themselves of "well, I've got a 
criminal record. Now what the heck, you know, it can't get any worse than 
this".

"In other cases, having a criminal record when you're quite young can 
interfere with a whole range of life decisions you might want to make."
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