National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre
The National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC) is an Australian centre funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health. It is located in Sydney, Australia and was officially opened in 2008. The Centre is a consortium of high quality organisations from around the country, led by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC).
The National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre was established in response to growing community concerns about cannabis use, particularly amongst young people.
While prevalence rates have markedly reduced over the past decade, cannabis is still widely used by young people, and the impacts on adolescent development remain an important issue.
The key goals of the Centre are:
providing the Australian community with evidence-based information and resources about cannabis-related harms
supporting service providers to respond to those experiencing cannabis-related problems
specifically engaging young people to increase their knowledge and understanding of cannabis and related harms, legal issues, and how to access assistance for cannabis-related problems
History
On 15 May 2006 the Australian State and Territory governments endorsed the first National Cannabis Strategy (2006–2009) at a meeting of the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy in Perth, Western Australia. Christopher Pyne, the now defunct Howard Government's Parliamentary Secretary for Health, welcomed the endorsement and later confirmed that A$14 million had been committed over four years to establish a "National Cannabis Control and Prevention Centre".
Just over a year later, as the Minister for Ageing, Pyne announced that a national consortium led by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) had been selected to establish the centre. It was eventually named the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre and was officially opened on Tuesday 29 April 2008 by the new Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon in a ceremony held at the Justice and Police Museum in Sydney,
Australian media promotion was received by the centre following the release of its first two publications, the NCPIC Bulletin and the Criminal Justice Bulletin. Both publications, along with a monthly e-zine, are produced and sourced from evidence-based information and research.
Rationale
The National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre was established in response to growing community concerns about cannabis use, particularly amongst young people.
In response to these challenges, the NCPIC mission is to reduce the use of cannabis in Australia by preventing uptake and providing the community with evidence-based information and interventions.
Services
A website promising evidence-based cannabis information to the community, users, their families and the various workforces involved in the delivery of cannabis-related interventions. But in fact, the information presented has no actual scientific information or links to the same.
A game presented to simulate the affects of driving while stoned is impossible to play no matter if stoned or straight. A highlight is the oncoming traffic travelling at an estimated 250km/h.
A free cannabis information and help line.
Regular monthly e-Zines and a Bulletin Series on the latest cannabis research by NCPIC and its consortium partners, as well as latest international findings.
National free training on the delivery of motivational sessions and brief interventions for cannabis-related problems among adolescents and adults.
