-
The UN chief executives board unanimously endorses decriminalisation of people who use drugs
The Chief Executives Board of the UN, representing 31 UN agencies, has adopted a common position on drug policy that endorses decriminalisation of possession and use. This comes just days before a key meeting of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, which will review, the UN’s 10-year Global Drug Strategy, and plan for the next one. […]
-
I ran a police force and I’m not soft on drugs. This is why I’m backing a pill testing trial
I support Coroner Grahame’s call for a drug summit, not to achieve any preconceived outcomes but as an opportunity for honest and open discussion and as a commitment to action aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable people. Not a talk fest, an “action fest”. […]
-
Don’t Forget What The Liberal Government Has Done To Music In NSW
The truth is Australia’s tough on drug policy is failing spectacularly. In 2016 the amount of drug deaths in Australia was the highest it’s been in twenty years, at pace with the number of fatalities during the peak of the heroin crisis. The majority of those deaths took place outside of metropolitan areas. […]
-
Malaysia keeps death penalty
A decision in Malaysia to keep the death penalty could weigh on the futures of an Australian woman on death row there and a former policeman held in Australian immigration detention. Malaysia has rowed back on an earlier plan to repeal the death penalty, saying the government will abolish mandatory capital punishment but leave it for courts to decide whether…
-
UN Organizations Unite In Call for International Drug Decriminalization
The UN Chief Executives Board (CEB), which represents 31 UN agencies including the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), adopted a position stipulating that member states should pursue science-based, health-oriented drug policies—namely decriminalization. […]
-
High time for a law change say Greens: Australians will be able to grow up to six plants in their homes and smoke in the street under the party’s new plan to legalise and regulate marijuana
Recreational cannabis use could become legal in New South Wales under a radical new plan by the Greens. The party has vowed to introduce a private members bill to legalise, regulate and licence cannabis within the first 100 days of parliament after the March 23 state election. […]
-
Julian Burnside backs Greens on death duties and drugs in battle for Kooyong
Mr Burnside said on Tuesday morning he supported decriminalising the use of drugs. “I think that’s a good idea. There are some drugs like ice that I think ought to be kept away,” he said on Sky News. […]
-
‘Prohibition causes harm’: Coroner in charge of inquest into six opioid deaths urges the government to hold summit on decriminalising drug use
A coroner in charge of an inquest into opioid deaths has recommended a drug summit to consider the decriminalisation of personal drug use. New South Wales Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame said prohibition policies have failed, and suggested a harm minimisation strategy instead. […]
-
‘It will take courage’: Coroner urges summit on drug decriminalisation
Among a list of 26 recommendations, Ms Grahame called for NSW Health to hold a drug summit hearing from experts in addiction, drug law reform and law enforcement, as well as current and former drug users, to develop policy that is “evidence-based and human rights based” and focusing on harm minimisation. […]
-
Drug Decriminalization in Portugal Learning from a Health and Human-Centered Approach
“Drug criminalization fuels the United States’ dual crises of mass criminalization & overdose deaths,” said Widney Brown, DPA’s Managing Director of Policy. “The Portuguese experience demonstrates that decriminalizing drugs – alongside a serious investment in treatment and harm reduction services – can significantly improve public safety and health.” […]
