Media Statements - Public awareness campaign aimed at preventing road trauma caused by illicit drugs

18/11/99

ROAD SAFETY

The first public awareness campaign directed at preventing road trauma caused by illicit drugs is to be mounted by the State Government.

The campaign will be in addition to current public education programs developed by the Office of Road Safety, the Health Department and the WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office.

The new road safety campaign, funded by the Road Safety Council, was announced today as part of the WA Strategy Against Drug Abuse Action Plan 1999 - 2001.

The Minister Responsible for WA Drug Abuse Strategy, Rhonda Parker, and Transport Minister Murray Criddle said the new campaign would fill a gap in the Government’s efforts to prevent road trauma.

The campaign would be a national first.

Mrs Parker said that it would target drugs such as cannabis and amphetamines and focus on venues where people might be intoxicated and likely to consider driving, such as nightclubs.

“The campaign, which will carefully target these drug users, will have the secondary benefit of reinforcing the clear anti-drug messages of the Drug Aware campaigns,” she said

Mr Criddle pointed out that although the research evidence was clear that alcohol was the major contributor to road accidents, there were no doubts that using illicit drugs and driving did not mix.

Media contact: Owen Cole: 9481 7810
Doug Cunningham 9321 7333