It's over. We've lost drugs war, report says

[MongyMan]

It's over. We've lost drugs war, report says

• Staff Writers
  
• The Daily Telegraph
  
• April 03, 2012 12:00AM
  

A new report has called for a national debate on the decriminalisation of drugs.

• Report urges politicians to accept war on drugs has failed
  
• Says illegal drug trade allows organised crime to flourish
  
• Calls for debate on decriminalisation
  

THE war on drugs has failed according to a new report calling for a national debate on the controversial topic of decriminalising drugs.

The report, released today, urges politicians to face the taboo subject. It says a massive re-think is needed to tackle the illegal drug trade that allows organised crime to flourish and is "killing our children".

The report draws on the views of high profile Australians and health experts.

Its verdict is that the tough law and order approach is doing more harm than good.

Put together by not-for-profit think-tank Australia21, the report includes the views of former federal law enforcement officers, health ministers, and premiers.

Former NSW Director of Public Prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery is quoted as being "strongly in favour of legalising, regulating, controlling and taxing all drugs".

 

"A first step towards such a regime could be decriminalisation, similar to the approach adopted 10 years ago in Portugal or an adaptation of that approach," he writes.

But he does not advocate making all drugs available to "anybody wanting them".

Australia21 stops short of directly backing decriminalisation but one former top prosecutor says in the report drugs should be legalised, regulated and taxed to control use.

[Cerberus]

Thanks Mongy, I came on to share the SMH link so here it is:

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/drugs-war-a-failure-that-bred-criminals-20120402-1w8v3.html

 

I remember mentioning a few months back how a high profile US law enforcement guy was in Australia talking to politicians about Cannabis and the US's current and future stance on the topic.

 

It was rumoured that he was holding talks with Australia's politicians and other authorities and pressuring them to stay on course with the US's actions involving the decriminilisation of Cannabis.

 

Could this be the beginning of his influence?

 

It's certainly a different stance to the Sativex trials

[Freakbrother]

Any discussion is good discussion, lets just keep our fingers crossed and get behind this wave of interest.

[The Hash Nibbler]

Light at the end of the tunnel? I sure would like to smoke spliffs in the yard again and maybe just have a few outdoories without fear of goin to jail. I mean it won't stop me now, but be heaps better if people would see the reality of the situation, people take drugs........

Your better off helping than hindering it....... Peace. Nibbler.

[Syb3 rm3nt41_%20]

Fuck yeah, good news, a step forward ..... BOB CARR for premier ....

 

peace n pot,

[Naycha]

Live news conference on this in 15 minutes on abc24.

 

Naycha

[daemon]

I'm a skeptic. I've read a truck load of articles in the past years by people in politics advocating the end to prohibition, but until I see action it's all just lip-service.

[Stix87]

gilard doesnt wana decriminalisation of any drug laws

[Cerberus]

I don't think Gillard is in the current position to do what she wants though.

 

If it makes the people happy, there'll be a reason for a backflip

[Oz]

They need to be legalised not just decriminalised.