Treatment or prevention? The drug debate

Imprisonment rates in Australia are the highest in history, even though crime rates are falling.

We spend around $5billion a year on our jails. A huge number of people are behind bars because of their drug addiction, mainly heroin and ice.

There is currently a debate in New South Wales which is being closely watched by other states: Should we decriminalise the personal use and possession of hard drugs such as heroin and ice?

It's a divisive debate but former addict Liz is proof people can be saved if we provide the help.

Liz found help in the shape of Wayside Chapel.

"There were staff members who never judged me who just accepted me as I was they never said you're off your face, a bad person or a criminal they just accepted me," Liz said.

Wayside Chapel ran the first heroin injecting rooms to get some control over an out-of-control epidemic. The result was a dramatic drop in addicts on the streets and crime.

"Our centres are overcrowded and under-funded right now," says John Owens, the head of Wayside Chapel.

He says prisons don't enable drug users to become clean, costing a lot of money for no result.

Pastor John Owens from Wayside Chapel also does not believe prisons are the answer.

"We shouldn't be punishing people and putting them into an already overcrowded prison and court system," he said.

"And let's be honest and realistic, there are far more drugs in jails than there are out on the streets."

For others treatment is key, but legalisation not the answer.

Andrea Simmons runs Queensland's 'Anti Ice Campaigners'. She says prison is an important deterrent.

"I don't believe making it legal even for person use, this is a poison, it is hurting not only the person using but our society" Ms Simmonds said.

"If you make it legal it is going to make it more readily accessible and available and that is giving the wrong message to our youth and society."