SHOCK DRUG ADS TO AIM AT YOUNG

A SHOCK advertising campaign could be used to warn young Victorians about
the dangers of drugs.

It would highlight the dangers of using and abusing various drugs, with the
advertisements assessed and changed over a 10-year period.

Victorian health authorities are investigating the proposal to stop young
people experimenting with drugs.

State Government drugs adviser David Penington said it was up to government
and the community to deter drug use.

"It's not enough just to respond once a young person finds themselves
dependent," he said.

Prof. Penington said more than half of Victoria's Year 12 students had
tried marijuana.

He said decriminalisation of the drug was not on the agenda and more needed
to be done to stop widespread cannabis use among young people.

"The incidence of cannabis abuse is of particular concern," he said.

"The harmful impacts of cannabis use have been underestimated by some
sections of the community, who see its use as low risk."

International drug prevention experts will attend a forum in Melbourne next
week as part of the campaign to stop drug abuse.

The forum on July 26 and 27 will consider drug education campaigns, the
role of the family, counselling services and school-based programs.

VicHealth chief executive Dr Rob Moodie said Victoria was examining an
anti-drug advertising campaign being run in Switzerland.

But he said it was vital to ensure such advertisements did not
inadvertently encourage people to experiment with drugs.