BACKGROUND Rates of risky drinking among young Australians have increased substantially over the past 2 decades, resulting in significant community concern. OBJECTIVE To explore the social, cultural and economic contexts that underlie risky drinking among young people and the implications of these for general practitioners. DISCUSSION Effective strategies for reducing alcohol related harm a...

Harm reduction is a paradigm-shifting idea that has the potential to significantly improve the treatment of problem substance users. The essence of harm reduction is the recognition that treatment must start from the client's needs and personal goals and that all change that reduces the harms associated with substance use can be regarded as valuable. The paper presents harm reduction's rational...

There is an ongoing national debate around cannabis policy. This brief position statement by the Executive Committee of the Central Drug Authorityoutlines some of the factors that have contributed to this debate, delineates reduction strategies, summarises the harms and benefits ofmarijuana, and provides recommendations. These recommendations emphasise an integrated and evidence-based approach,...

Adolescents are developmentally sensitive to pathways that influence alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. In the absence of guidance, their routine engagement with social media may add a further layer of risk. There are several potential mechanisms for social media use to influence AOD risk, including exposure to peer portrayals of AOD use, socially amplified advertising, misinformation, and preda...

The concept of harm reduction is controversial, as it brings to mind the failures, public misconceptions, and undermining of prevention associated with the low-tar cigarette campaign. Modern cigarettes are, however, unnecessarily carcinogenic and toxic, a situation that could be improved by sensible and serious regulation of the contents of tobacco smoke. The risks potentially associated with r...