The ex-police officer turned drug law reformist further points out that Oregon has recently adopted the Portuguese model, while down in Canberra a bill is currently before ACT parliament, which aims to decriminalise the personal possession and use of illicit drugs in our nation’s capital. “It takes tremendous courage to admit that the war on drugs has failed and that unless new approaches…

International examples of success, growing public support and the clear failure of current laws to stop drug use means the time is right now for drug law reform, said the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA), today launching a new policy report into Australian drug laws. “We need to legalise and regulate drug use in Australia to save lives,” said Greg Barns…

Policies that focus on reducing harm and providing treatment, education, and prevention, not punishment, can prevent problematic drug use and heal those dependent on drugs, without involving the criminal justice system. Apart from its other benefits, developing a health-based approach to drug addiction might just allow the criminal justice system to focus its talents and resources on organised crime and…

A suspicion that someone is concealing drugs in their body cavities is not enough to justify a strip search, the state’s police watchdog has said in its final report on the invasive practice. The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission said the reason used by some officers during a recent inquiry had no “logical basis” as a strip search wouldn’t enable police…

I fear I will never see humane drug laws that are based on research and evidence. I fear I will not live to see people who have problematic drug use treated with justice, understanding and compassion. I fear I am unlikely to see criminal sanctions for drug use replaced with a more appropriate, non-judgmental health response. […]

ACT MLA Michael Pettersson is yet again championing the harm reduction approach to illicit substances. This time the Labor backbencher has initiated an investigation into the feasibility of decriminalising the use and personal possession of “drugs of dependence” in the capital territory. And what makes this development so significant is that when Pettersson moved his successful motion to launch a…

“The ACT Greens are pleased today to have secured a commitment from our Government colleagues to extend pill-testing from only music festivals to a more regular weekend service in the city, this Summer, informed by expert health advice,” ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury said today. […]

Regulation is not utopia in Australia. Instead, it’s a pragmatic approach to taking control of a situation that’s taking too many young lives. The NSW premier has an opportunity to change the state for the better. To create a healthier and safer society where harms to our children are reduced and lives are saved. […]