A national report into illicit drugs has recommended decriminalising ecstasy and cannabis under a government-controlled program aimed at helping to curb addiction.

The 52-page report on alternatives to prohibition, by the Australia 21 group, was released in Adelaide on Sunday.

Its release came as the Australian Federal Police revealed a massive increase in the amount of illegal drugs and criminal assets seized in the past year.

One of the report's proposals is to establish a government supplier for cannabis and ecstasy.

The drugs would be available to people over 16, who would then be supported by counselling and treatment programs.

The report also recommends similar programs for heroin users.

Co-author Professor Bob Douglas says it is clear prohibition is not working, and Australia needs to have a serious debate about legalising controlled drug use.

"It's been a political benefit for people to pretend they're tough on drugs, but lots of politicians in Australia recognise now that this has to be changed," he said.

Professor Douglas says similar programs are being used in Europe with proven positive results.

He says criminal gangs have a monopoly on the black market, but a government regulated drug program could help to safely curb usage.

"Government just stands by and says, 'Well we'll criminalise the people who use drugs and we'll try and catch the people who are distributing them,' but they're not doing very well," he said.

"The report makes clear despite the good work that Australian police are doing, they're not making a serious mark on the markets."

The Federal Government says it will consider holding a national summit on drugs, but it does not support decriminalisation.

Mental Health Minister Mark Butler says the Government balances health responses with law enforcement.

But Greens Senator Richard di Natale says it is short-sighted to ignore the recommendations of experts.

"It's very clear that many experts, not just here in Australia but right around the world, support treating this issue as a law and order issue," he said.

"What's very very clear is the evidence says if we want to save people's lives, if we want to have more money for intervention then we have to start treating this as a health issue rather than a law and order issue."

Record busts

Meanwhile the AFP says it seized almost 14 tonnes of drugs and ingredients in 2011-12.

The figure is a 164 per cent jump on the five tonnes seized the previous year, and more than 11 times the amount seized the year before that.

It is partly as a result of more information and resource sharing with overseas law enforcement agencies.

Almost 12 tonnes of chemicals used to make drugs were seized, up 263 per cent.

More amphetamines and cocaine were found, but seizures of heroin and cannabis fell.

In the past financial year, the AFP confiscated nearly $100 million in criminal assets, more than double the $41 million confiscated the previous year.