Pubdate: Thu, 10 Apr 2003
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)
Copyright: 2003 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Contact:  http://www.abc.net.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/34
RealAudio: http://www.abc.net.au/wa/stories/s829346.htm
Author: Liam Bartlett

DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT ON NEW LAWS BEGINS TODAY

State Parliament has begun debating new cannabis legislation, which gives 
police the discretion to issue infringement notices to people found with no 
more than 30 grams of cannabis, or two plants not hydroponically grown.

Opposition Leader Colin Barnett has warned there will be more suicides, if 
the government's Cannabis Control Bill, becomes law.

Mr Barnett says there's ample evidence linking cannabis to mental health 
problems and suicides. "What are you going to say, Minister for Health, to 
the next parents who lose a kid through suicide through cannabis use, what 
are you going to say to them, a little bit's ok, are you going to front up 
to them, because there've been many many parents and families that have had 
the agony of the loss of a son or daughter through suicide related to 
cannabis."

Health Minister Bob Kucera says their argument is absolute nonsense. "And 
the one thing that's proved in this house yesterday that the only dope in 
this house was sitting opposite me".

Mr Kucera says he has faith that police will charge drug dealers, with 
dealing, even if they're found with just one gram of cannabis.

Shadow Police Minister Matt Birney says because it's up to the discretion 
of police, dealers found in possession of less than 30 grams, could escape 
with only infringement notices as a penalty: "Will the Minister now admit 
that the only dope in this place is in fact sitting over there?"

South-west Liberal MPs say the region is particularly at risk because of 
the easy availability of the drug. The government has rejected criticism of 
the changes saying it will alleviate the burden on the criminal justice 
system created by the present laws.

Liam Bartlett was joined by Simon Lenton, Senior Research Fellow with the 
National Drug Research Institute and John Barich, Convenor, Coalition 
Against Drugs. Followed by Dr Joe Santamaria, who has grave fears for the 
mental well-being of young West Australians if cannabis laws are liberalised.

The Melbourne-based Community Health Expert says if penalties are reduced a 
message, virtually condoning cannabis use, is sent to young people: "All 
the evidence shows that if you liberalise the laws, just like with alcohol 
and tobacco you actually increase the size of the population using the 
substance".

Unemployment and social decay are listed by Dr Santamaria as the 
by-products of the mental illness and drug induced psychosis caused by 
marijuana use.

Simon Lenton, John Barich and Dr Joe Santamaria As heard on the Statewide 
Morning Program. http://www.abc.net.au/wa/stories/s829346.htm
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom