Fed: Odyssey House says Howard misses point on mental health

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2006
Fed: Odyssey House says Howard misses point on mental health

MELBOURNE, Feb 10 AAP - Odyssey House has accused state and federal leaders of missing
the point by advocating a tougher line on marijuana as part of a mental health reform
package.

The drug counselling service's chief executive, David Crosbie, said while he welcomed
the commitment at the Council of Australian Government (COAG) meeting to mental health,
it was important to take a holistic approach to patients.

He described marijuana and amphetamine use as "a small subset" of a larger issue.

"We need our systems to respond to the needs of people rather than their labels," he said.

Mr Crosbie said in his work he was frustrated because he had funding to treat people
for alcohol or drug-related problems but the service could not even fund a mental health
nurse.

"Most of our clients with major drug problems also have major mental health problems
and are dealing with homelessness and unemployment," he said.

"When we try to work holistically we're told you can't help them because you're not
funded for that.

"It means that the system lacks innovation and it lacks responsiveness to real people
and real people's problems."

Mr Crosbie's comments followed Prime Minister John Howard's announcement that he would
ask the state premiers to support a tougher line on marijuana as part of a mental health
reform package to be discussed at the COAG.

Mr Howard said the stance was necessary amid mounting evidence that marijuana abuse
contributed to mental health problems.

He said he supported the NSW legislation to increase the penalties for growing hydroponic
marijuana, which is stronger than the naturally grown variety.

Mr Howard said many Australians had been successfully persuaded not to smoke tobacco
over the last 30 years, and "we ought to be able to do the same with marijuana".

AAP hmg/dk/jt/bwl

KEYWORD: COAG MENTAL ODYSSEY

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