... health and crime. The covert nature of drug abuse facilitates the spread of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis, while the unpredictable levels of purity increase the possibility of lethal overdose.4 This causes a detrimental effect on the health of this section of society. Secondly, the criminalisation of drugs creates a black market, increasing organised crime and forcing users to find ways of financing their habit. Mukherjee reveals, that 90 per cent of drug addicts specified 'money for drugs' as their main reason for committing property crimes.5 Furthermore, drug users often become drug suppliers in order to fund their habit. Therefore, although laws exist to improve the safety of our community, prohibition actually increases the prevalence of crime. Criminalisation is thus counter productive and detrimental in relation to the health of drug users and the prevalence of crime. 3.0 - The perceived need for criminalisation In modern day Australia; ...

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