YWCA Victoria

MEDIA RELEASE

STATE DRUG CAMPAIGN

This morning the Victorian Government launched its new Media Campaign on Illicit Drugs. YWCA Victoria, the leading advocate for young Victorian women, thinks that this advertising campaign is a step in the right direction.

 “This is a positive contribution to the debate about drugs, and a clear step toward trying to change community perceptions of drug use” said Liberty Sanger, President of YWCA Victoria.

“This campaign is honest about the highs and lows of drug-taking, and young people relate to honesty in these kinds of issues.”

“This campaign is a far cry from the ‘just say no’ attitude of other campaigns. ‘Just say no’ is not realistic. Governments have got to acknowledge the risk-taking and experimental nature of youth. YWCA Victoria acknowledges the experimental nature of youth and wants young people to be able to make educated and informed choices about drug use.”

“YWCA Victoria while acknowledging the risks and tragedy associated with illicit drug abuse, does acknowledge the difference between drug use and drug abuse. This campaign hits the mark as it targets drug abuse rather than drug use. What has been missing from the drug debate is that recreational illicit drug use is prevalent in youth culture.”

“YWCA Victoria still believes that tobacco and alcohol abuse pose a much greater danger to a much broader number of young people than illicit drugs. For the vast majority, the drug that will kill young women as a result of abuse is tobacco not illicit drugs. According to Anti-Cancer Council statistics, by the age of 15, 28% of girls are regular smokers (compared to 24% of boys) and one out of two lifetime smokers will die from tobacco related illnesses.”

 “The loss of life from the use of drugs, whether it be heroin or tobacco, is tragic and anything we can do as a community to minimise the danger of this to young women is welcomed and long over-due.”

Liberty Sanger is also a member of the Premier's Drugs Prevention Council.