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

[Frazz]

"The Prohibition of Illicit Drugs is Killing and Criminalising our Children and We are All Letting It Happen" ... Authors Bob Douglas and David McDonald, is the Australia21 report developed from the expert roundtable on illicit drugs held in January 2012 ..

 

Download the pdf Report here; Australian Illicit Drug Policy Report - 03/04/2012

 

Truly a groundbreaking report from a highly-respected group, that we can use to belt some of these Prohibitionists around the ears with

 

[Cerberus]

Here's Gillard's stance

 

http://www.theaustra...x-1226317245519

 

Julia Gillard is at odds with Bob Carr on the decriminalisation of illicit drugs

• by: Lanai Vasek
  
• From: The Australian
  
• April 03, 2012 1:19PM
  

JULIA Gillard has criticised a new report advocating the decriminalisation of illicit drugs saying tough policing was necessary to prevent the devastating consequences of drug use.

In a stance that puts her at odds with newly appointed Foreign Minister Bob Carr, Ms Gillard said drugs "rip families apart" and the best method of tackling drug use was providing sufficient support and treatment options for addicts.

"My view about drugs is clear. Drugs kill people they rip families apart, they destroy lives and we want to see less harm done through drug usage," the Prime Minister said.

"I am not in favour of decriminalisation of any of our drug laws. We want to keep supporting people who need our help to break out of a cycle of addiction and we need to keep policing so we are tackling those who are seeking to make a profit out of what really is a trade in incredible misery."

 

Ms Gillard's comments came just moments before a report was released in Canberra which called for a national debate on decriminalising drugs.

Prepared by not-for-profit think-tank Australia21, it declares the war on drugs a failure and comes to the conclusion that the tough law and order approach is doing more harm than good.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr was part of a University of Sydney roundtable that contributed to the report, along with Howard government health minister Michael Wooldridge and former NSW director of public prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery QC.

Senator Carr, whose brother Greg died of a heroin overdose in 1981, said he supported decriminalising low-level drug use so police could redirect their resources.

"A bit of modest decriminalisation, de facto decriminalisation at the edges, simply freeing up police to be doing the things they ought to be doing would be a sensible way of going about it," he told the Seven Network.

The former NSW premier, who took part in the roundtable before he was appointed Foreign Minister, said decriminalisation would enable police to direct their resources elsewhere.

"I was very frustrated, from time to time, when I heard about police with sniffer dogs at railway stations hoping to catch people with small quantities of marijuana or raiding nightclubs hoping to get people with ecstasy," he said.

However the nation's chief law officer, Attorney-General Nicola Roxon, said she was sceptical of any decriminalisation attempt.

In comments that were supported by the Prime Minister, Ms Roxon said she was open to discussion on the issue but would have to be "completely convinced" before supporting any changes.

"Frankly, personally I am quite sceptical," Ms Roxon told Sky News.

"It's a high risk area; I am always open to discussion but this would be quite a big step to take.

"I think we need to be convinced that if we did lessen the regulation in some areas that it would have both a positive impact on reducing the numbers of people taking drugs and any impact it might have on the criminal spiral that potentially involved with."

 

Interesting times ahead

[nici]

Now is the time to get things done! With the Labour Gov. at a low and all this support for the cause It's been a long time comming. WE need to get behind this!!!

[Ford Fairlane]

woohoo..I watched the press conference and I saw Julias comment just before it. Her comment was very off hand, and being a polli her views would be subect to change. This is the most positive thing I have seen...

[sarsha]

The governments like a mirror image of the US administration

 

good luck

[Freakbrother]

Check out the poll in the SMH - http://www.smh.com.au/polls/opinion/political-news/the-war-on-drugs-20120403-1w9c6.html

 

currently at 82% in favour of more decriminalisation, perhaps there should be a referendum on this.

[Ford Fairlane]

the US has clinical cannabis

[Ford Fairlane]

The governments like a mirror image of the US administration

 

good luck

 

the US has clinical cannabis

[farmerBrown]

Surprised our Green government hasn't already addressed the issue. Even though our PM Bob Brown is a dangerous lunatic I'm sure he'd be for decriminalisation of mj at least.

[ammun]

Great poll - fantastic movement. EVERYONE has to get behind such a long awaited issue - you can join the Australian Drug Law Reform Party at http://adlrf.org.au/