Drugs and alcohol

Despite the efforts of police and other agencies, illicit drugs are still being manufactured, sold, purchased and used. Because of this, Queensland Police Service operates within the National Drug Strategy’s harm minimisation principles.

Harm minimisation is not about condoning drug use; instead it's about designing policies and programs to prevent and reduce harm associated with both legal and illicit drugs. Harm minimisation includes:

Supply reduction

Disrupting or reducing the production and supply of illegal drugs; and helping to control, manage and regulate legal drugs.

Demand reduction

Preventing or delaying people from taking up alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, reducing substance misuse and supporting people to recover from dependence and reintegrate with the community.

Harm reduction

Reducing the negative health, social and economic consequences of the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in our communities.

Illegal drugs and the law

Under the Drugs Misuse Act 1986, you are breaking the law if you:

• Possess, produce or supply an illegal drug.
• Possess a thing that is used for smoking or taking an illegal drug.
• Publish or have a copy of a recipe for the production of an illegal drug. 

The penalties associated with these offences can be harsh, and may be more serious depending on the type of drug involved and quantity found. To check the legal restrictions on a drug, medicine or chemical, you can search for it in the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons

Getting help

Drug use can cause illness, injury and early death. It affects individuals, families and the community. Each year, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use in Queensland accounts for an estimated 4,300 deaths and over 65,000 hospital admissions. Most of these hospital admissions are for tobacco and alcohol-related conditions and injuries.

Misusing legal or illegal drugs can damage your mental and physical health, as well as impacting on your relationships and work.

If you are concerned about your own or someone else's drug use and would like more information to help, the following services are available.

Queensland Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)—1800 177 833 ADIS provides a free, 24-hour/7-day counselling, information and referral service for anyone with concerns about their own or someone else's use of alcohol or other drugs. This is an anonymous and confidential service.

Find out about drug and alcohol treatment and support services, including specialised services for First Nations people, children and families.

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