-
Lawyers say time is now for drug law reform
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…
-
Alex Wodak AO address to the Vatican
Important 2018 Document Alex-Wodak-Extract-for-DROGHE-E-DIPENDENZE-2018Download […]
-
Australia’s approach to drug use and drug users is broken
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…
-
Drugs in body no reason to strip-search: police watchdog
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…
-
My son died of a drug overdose. Our drug laws hold some of the blame
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…
-
With Tripartisan Approval, Drug Decriminalisation Looks Likely for Canberra
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…
-
Australian first as ACT Greens secure commitment to regular pill-testing
“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. […]
-
Letting Australians get drugs from a doctor rather than a dealer will save lives
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…
-
NSW government rejects pill testing, more injecting rooms
On Thursday the government released the four-volume report and its interim response a month after the inquiry’s findings were delivered by Commissioner Professor Dan Howard. Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the government would not support the inquiry’s recommendations to open more medically supervised injecting centres, run needle and syringe programs…
