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United Nations Supports Decriminalisation of Drugs
The United Nations Chief Executives Board (CEB), comprising 31 heads of UN agencies and associated programs, has released a policy statement endorsing the decriminalisation of drug possession for personal use. The same document also outlines a broader intent to shape international drug policy in terms of public health, human rights and sustainable development.
The 'directions for action' provided in the statement include a pledge 'to promote alternatives to conviction and punishment in appropriate cases, including the decriminalisation of drug possession for personal use'. This represents a significant advance from the UN's previous position.
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Removing Cannabis from the Equation
"Why are the police proceeding with this?” was my question. My client said what she had in her pocket barely registered on the police station’s weighing machine.
One of my first cases as a young lawyer was plea bargaining for a PhD university student arrested for a small amount of cannabis because she happened to be talking to a person ‘of interest’ to the police. Other people are unlucky too.
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History not Harm, Dictates why some Drugs are Illegal
Nicole Lee, Curtin University and Jarryd Bartle, RMIT University
Drug-related offences take up a lot of the resources within Australia's criminal justice system. In 2016–17 law enforcement made 113,533 illicit drug seizures and 154,650 drug-related arrests.
Harm-reduction advocates are calling for the legalisation of some drugs, and the removal of criminal penalties on others. And there's public support for both.
But how did some drugs become illegal in the first place? And what drives our current drug laws?
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New Year 2018 Message
As another year ends, the Directors and I would like to thank you for your support in 2018 and wish you a happy Christmas.
It's been a huge year for drug policy reform in Australia and around the world.
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It's Time to Call a Truce on Drug War
Is it time to call a truce in the war on drugs? Dr James Freeman looks at the evidence; and the evidence shows prohibition has failed, and decriminalising drugs ought to save lives and deliver both social and economic benefit.
The recent tragic drug related deaths of two young festival goers has seen calls for drug testing to be made available at these events. In a conversation on Facebook, I expressed my doubts that festival drug testing would have any meaningful impact for a number of reasons, but essentially because of this single statistic from the ABS:
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Support Don't Punish Events
Portugal Decriminalised Drugs in 2001 - Should Australia do the same?
Our police and politicians say we cannot "arrest our way" out of Australia's drug problem. Then why not decriminalise personal drug use so people can get help if and when they need it?
Support Don't Punish Events
Saturday, June 26, 2021, Support Don't Punish
On the 26th of June 2018, Drug Policy Australia with 15 Supporting AOD organisations held the inaugural Melbourne Town Hall forum to celebrate 'Support. Don't Punish' day - a global initiative calling for drug policies that prioritise public health and the human rights.
The forum featured health professionals, politicians, journalists and community leaders, including Tony Trimingham OAM, CEO of Family Drug Support, Sam Biondo, Head of VAADA and Dr Stefan Gruenert, CEO of Odyssey House Victoria as well drug policy opinion leaders like state MP Fiona Patten who will talk about the recently released Victorian Drug Inquiry and Michael Short, Chief Editorial Writer for The Age.
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Hepatitis C won’t be Eliminated in Australia without Harm Reduction in Prisons
Hepatitis C (HCV) in detainees who inject drugs is rife across Australia and could be prevented, contributing significantly to reducing HCV prevalence in the general population. People in custodial settings are one of the largest cohorts living with HCV; in 2015, there was a 31% antibody prevalence amongst detainees around Australia.
Australia has committed to eliminating HCV by 2030. To achieve this, an expansion of harm reduction in prisons is essential. A combination of three strategies is needed to achieve this, all of which are supported by evidence.
- Treating all detainees with HCV antibodies with direct-acting antivirals
- Introducing needle and syringe programs to prisons
- Expanding access for detainees to pharmacotherapy
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Alcohol leads to more violence than other drugs
but you'd never know from the headlines
Stephen Bright, Edith Cowan University and Martin Williams, Monash University
Mainstream media tend to report more stories about illicit drugs than alcohol.
Stories about illicit drugs are also more negative. The media is more likely to frame illicit drugs as dangerous, morally corrosive and associated with violent behaviour, while it frames people who use illicit drugs as irresponsible and deviant.
In particular, the media is more likely to link illegal drugs with violent crimes, sexual assaults and murders than alcohol. This is despite one study finding 47% of homicides in Australia over a six-year period were alcohol-related.
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Addiction - how pleasure affects our brain
Why cigarettes, chocolate bars, heroin, gambling or a new handbag feels so good?
James Kesby, The University of Queensland
Every day we make a range of choices in the pursuit of pleasure: we do things that make us feel good or work in a specific job because it's rewarding or pays well. These experiences help shape our perspectives on life and define our personality.
Consequently, problems with our ability to manage or maintain our pursuit of pleasure often lie at the root of many neuropsychiatric disorders such as addiction and depression.
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Legal highs: arguments for and against legalising cannabis in Australia
Nicole Lee, Curtin University and Jarryd Bartle, RMIT University
Greens leader Richard Di Natale wants Australia to legalise cannabis for personal use, regulated by a federal agency. This proposal is for legalisation of recreational use for relaxation and pleasure, not to treat a medical condition (which is already legal in Australia for some conditions).
According to the proposal, the government agency would licence, monitor and regulate production and sale, and regularly review the regulations. The agency would be the sole wholesaler, buying from producers and selling to retailers it licences.
The proposed policy includes some safeguards that reflect lessons we've learned from alcohol and tobacco. These include a ban on advertising, age restrictions, requiring plain packaging, and strict licensing controls. Under the proposal, tax revenues would be used to improve funding to the prevention and treatment sector, which is underfunded compared to law enforcement.
United Nations Supports Decriminalisation of Drugs
March 28, 2019 · Greg Chipp · 2 reactions
Removing Cannabis from the Equation
February 02, 2019 · Peter Pullicino · 2 reactions
History not Harm, Dictates why some Drugs are Illegal
February 01, 2019 · Dr Nicole Lee · 2 reactions
New Year 2018 Message
December 24, 2018 · Greg Chipp
It's Time to Call a Truce on Drug War
December 22, 2018 · James Freeman · 2 reactions
Support Don't Punish Events
December 20, 2018 · Greg Chipp
Hepatitis C won’t be Eliminated in Australia without Harm Reduction in Prisons
July 13, 2018 · Sally Cruse
Alcohol leads to more violence than other drugs
July 12, 2018 · Dr Stephen Bright · 1 reaction
Addiction - how pleasure affects our brain
April 28, 2018 · James Kesby · 1 reaction
Legal highs: arguments for and against legalising cannabis in Australia
April 18, 2018 · Dr Nicole Lee · 2 reactions