Trio of MPs to push for probe into drugs law

[brick]

DECRIMINALISING drugs will be investigated by Australia's top independent policy adviser under a plan championed by a trio of federal MPs from different sides of Parliament, with the aim to take politics out of the debate.

In April a report from the Australia21 think tank argued the ''war on drugs'' and tough stance on illegal substances had failed, sparking debate and gaining support for decriminalising personal use from eminent Australians, including former police commissioners and premiers.

Liberal MP Mal Washer, Greens senator Richard Di Natale (who are both doctors) and independent Rob Oakeshott will this morning call on the government to ask the Productivity Commission to investigate the current adequacy of illegal drug laws.

''The reason for the Productivity Commission is to take the politics out of it and base it on evidence - which is dispassionate and hard nosed,'' Senator Di Natale told The Age. ''I've lost count of how many MPs have told me privately we have to change the approach to drugs but won't speak out.''

It is unclear which MP would move a motion but Dr Washer said he would ideally like a government MP to do so to ensure the best chance of success.

Dr Washer said the focus needed to be on social and health programs, not criminal charges for users.

''Most of the doctors I know say that. The evidence is there across the world for the change. We just need to get governments to have their own commissions to say that is right.''

Labor MP Andrew Leigh has previously said that in relation to drugs ''facts and evidence - not ideology and dogma - are the Australian way''.

He is believed to have spoken to the group in the past about a Productivity Commission push. However, he does not have the backing of the caucus.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard in April rejected calls to decriminalise drugs.

The report found that much of Australia's street and household crime was driven by the need for money to buy illegal drugs such as heroin.

About 400 Australians die each year from illicit drug use and thousands more suffer significant ill health as a result of unsafe injecting and infections.

The Australia21 paper acknowledged fears that liberalisation could increase, rather than decrease, dangers to children. But it said a growing body of evidence from overseas ''indicates that these fears are misplaced''.

Despite the push, an Age/Nielsen poll in May found two-thirds of Australians opposed decriminalisation, reflecting little change in attitudes from a similar poll 13 years ago.

Dr Washer said there was a difficult ''cascade'' where drug users were sent to jail for small offences and then struggled to find work, which in turn led them back to drugs.

The trio's motion would review current policy efficacy, particularly ''the economic cost of law enforcement around illicit drugs - both budgetary costs, and society-wide economic impacts''.

 

I saw this on the ABC a short interview. Alex Wodak and another person (can't remember his name)were also involved with the interview.

 

National Times

Edited July 11, 2012 by brick

[-SLIPPER-]

Nice 1 brick, let's just hope times are changing.

[Haratio Hornblower]

Dont hold your breath..

Drug policy in Australia is not decided by the Australian government.

As an ally of the USA drugs policy is decided by them.

[Skunk king]

Believe it when it smacks me in the face. Might be waiting awhile

[Naycha]

Dont hold your breath..

Drug policy in Australia is not decided by the Australian government.

As an ally of the USA drugs policy is decided by them.

 

Are you sure about that or just blowing your horn? Thats not how I understand governmental drug policy to work (no pun intended hehe).

 

Naycha

[brick]

Thanks for your email. It is appreciated. I’ll continue to work on colleagues on thinking more broadly on this issue, Rob

 

Reply to my email I sent Rob Oakeshott today.

 

for hh

If Aus drug policy was the same as the states then we would have medical cannabis here now.

 

 

This is why I/we should be doing the surveys, that are unbiased.

Edited July 12, 2012 by brick

[Haratio Hornblower]

Thanks for your email. It is appreciated. I’ll continue to work on colleagues on thinking more broadly on this issue, Rob

 

Reply to my email I sent Rob Oakeshott today.

 

for hh

If Aus drug policy was the same as the states then we would have medical cannabis here now.

 

 

This is why I/we should be doing the surveys, that are unbiased.

Cannabis was made illegal in USA in 1937 so that DuPont could have unhindered access to the fiber market.

It was therefore illegal in all allied countries.

Medical cannabis may be "legal" in some us states but under federal law it is still illegal

 

All states in Australia have differing laws regarding cannabis but under federal law it is illegal in any amount.

[brick]

Tell me something I don't know.

 

I think you will find our "war on drugs" in Aus has something to do with the United Nations Convention.

[Frazz]

Cannabis was made illegal in USA in 1937 so that DuPont could have unhindered access to the fiber market.

It was therefore illegal in all allied countries.

Medical cannabis may be "legal" in some us states but under federal law it is still illegal

 

All states in Australia have differing laws regarding cannabis but under federal law it is illegal in any amount.

 

ok .. given your theory, it is "legal" in some US states, and Aust. is an "allied" country of US

then why is it not "legal" in some Aust. states?

 

[Syb3 rm3nt41_%20]

australia's model of government and the creation of laws that govern it are designed and developed based on primary allies like the u.s or the uk/britain - we use them as models for current policy ........ often oz's policies adapt to globally recognised norms and evolve to that of the u.s's legal system or britains ... a few months ago there was a debate on drug law reform with richard branson and russell brand. A key note speaker from britain said that decriminalisation and legalisation of some drugs are being considered in australia .... was interesting to see that there has been more coverage of this on aussie tv...... 5 or 10 years and major cities will have drones flying over major cities, the u.s government has rolled out many thousand of these and are already patrolling the country ...... what is next though in oz?.... blood taken at checkpoints involuntarily?..... compulsory groping at airports ? Hopefully australias drug laws change soon though . . ... ....

 

peace'

Edited July 13, 2012 by ind00rcultiv8r