Pubdate: Sat, 16 Dec 2000
Source: Canberra Times (Australia)
Copyright: 2000 Canberra Times
Contact:  http://www.canberratimes.com.au/
Author: B. McConnell

WHY STILL PURSUE AN INEFFECTIVE DRUG POLICY?

IT IS disappointing that after many months of expert advice to the 
Assembly committee inquiry into cannabis use in the ACT, one 
committee member, Dave Rugendyke, feels he has to oppose some of the 
modest recommendations.

We must remember also that Mr Rugendyke caused the initiation of this 
inquiry because he wanted to remove the Simple Cannabis Offence 
Notice (SCON) system entirely.

The committee was provided with expert evidence that the severity of 
the law in relation to cannabis had no effect on the number using the 
drug.

It heard that more severe laws resulting in a criminal record caused 
long-term social and economic harm to the individual. It also heard 
that those apprehended by police under the more severe regime did not 
intend to reduce their cannabis use.

In the face of this evidence the committee wisely recommended removal 
of legislative provisions which allowed police to charge a person 
with a criminal offence for a simple cannabis offence. The police 
would still have the discretion to issue a SCON, issue a warning or 
do nothing.

The recommendation, if adopted, would simply protect minor offenders 
from an overzealous policeman imposing a criminal record. Mr 
Ruendyke, in his dissenting report, opposed this and other sensible 
recommendations.

It is understandable that a person would struggle with the complexity 
of the whole cannabis issue, but it seems Mr Rugendyke wants to 
pursue the line of law enforcement and punishment which has clearly 
been shown to have little effect on cannabis use.

B. McCONNELL, President, Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform, Higgins
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