Pubdate: Tue, 14 Oct 2003 Source: Northern Territory News (Australia) Copyright: 2003 Northern Territory News Contact: http://ntnews.news.com.au/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/283 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Australia DRUG LAWS SUCCESSFUL Territory Justice Minister Peter Toyne copped plenty of flak last year when he introduced the Government's tough new drug laws. Much of the criticism came from a vocal minority who believed the laws would encroach on their freedom. The legal system also bridled at the changes, claiming the laws would unfairly target drug users, ignore the source of supply and breach the civil liberties of Territorians. But almost 18 months on, the Government can claim to have silenced the critics. While police will always take an interest in low-level drug use, they appear also to be catching the major players. The weekend's bust at an amphetamine factory at Winnellie was one of the largest so far. Along the way, the Government has established a drugs court that deals exclusively with drug-related crime and delivers sentences based on the potential for rehabilitiation. And tougher laws to allow authorities to confiscate the proceeds of crime have hit drug dealers where it hurts most - their bank balances. Ultimately the Government hoped its tougher drug laws would result in a reduction in property crime. It will be several more years before we can measure the impact on those crimes. But early indications in relation to property offences appear encouraging. Dr Toyne and the ALP deserve credit for ignoring the please of a vocal minority and turning attention to the big boys in the drug trade. It now remains with the police to continue the good work. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin