1.5 What is already being done?

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It is important to place the National ATS Strategy in the context of other strategies and activities. The Australian, State and Territory Governments invest in a wide range of general strategies to prevent and reduce drug related problems. These range from the activities of law enforcement agencies to prevent the international and domestic supply and sale of drugs, to demand reduction strategies such as police diversion of people from the criminal justice to the treatment system, community wide education, school drug initiatives, peer education strategies to reduce risk, and significant investments in mental health services and treatment options. The Australian, State and Territory Governments have also developed a number of initiatives specific to ATS. These include:

Community wide and targeted education programs about the risks associated with ATS use;
Funding to government and non-government agencies, to enhance engagement of people affected by ATS problems in treatment;
Implementation of a range of strategies to control precursor products used in the illicit manufacture of ATS;
Training for law enforcement and other staff to reduce occupational safety and health risks
Strategies to link law enforcement and pharmacists to prevent diversion of medicines
Development of guidelines on managing ATS intoxicated people and guidelines associated with clandestine laboratories; into the manufacture of illicit ATS; on managing methamphetamine dependence;
Training for the health workforce in responding to ATS problems; and
Research into new treatments for ATS problems.

In short, many responses to general drug use and related problems, and responses specifically targeting people affected by ATS use, have already been developed. However, issues and challenges related to ATS use indicate that there is a need for some adaptation of existing responses and services. In addition, as already noted, there are some knowledge gaps about some of the short-term and long-term problems associated with ATS use and the most effective responses. As new evidence emerges, current practices may need to be reviewed and updated.

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