I don't believe we will ever eradicate drugs from our society. In fact, for the benefit of my children and future generations, I hope we never do. Let me explain.

Almost every psychoactive substance I know has some beneficial medical or social use, as well as its potential for harm. When my partner gave birth to our children, when my father had surgery for bowel cancer and when my son had an infection in his spine, they all had access to powerful opiates for pain relief. Amphetamines have been used for many years to combat fatigue in military operations or manage ADHD in children. In the not-too-distant future there will be a range of medications based on cannabis that will assist many with seizures or palliative care. Each day in Australia, millions of people kick-start their day with a stimulant (caffeine), and unwind each evening with a glass of beer or wine.

Do I want my children to have the benefit of these drugs? You bet I do. Yet, as the chief executive of a large alcohol and other drug treatment organisation, I know that these are the same drugs that destroy some people's lives, their families, and their communities. The fact is, we can't have the benefits without the potential risks. In the same way, most of us are happy to travel in cars despite the possibility of injury or even death should we happen to be involved in an accident.

The good news is that most of us experience very little harm, if any, from our alcohol or other drug use. Why? Sometimes it's because we do silly things but are fortunate to avoid injury. Usually it's because we choose where, when and what we use, or because we stick to our limits and look after our mates. At other times, it's because our access to and use of drugs is supervised by doctors and pharmacists, and because we purchase our drugs from regulated suppliers and companies we trust. Do these strategies prevent all harms? No. But they do reduce the chance of harm occurring.