Pubdate: Fri, 26 Dec 2014
Source: Canberra Times (Australia)
Copyright: 2014 Canberra Times
Contact:  http://www.canberratimes.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/71
Author: Bob Douglas

LEGALISING DRUG USE

Writing for the Criminal Law Committee of the NSW Bar Association, 
Stephen Odgers ("Drug control needs radical rethink", 
canberratimes.com.au, December 23) correctly concludes the best way 
to achieve a reduction in levels of illicit drug-related harm would 
be to replace the black market for drugs with a form of legal 
availability under a highly regulated system and to view drug use not 
as a law enforcement but as a health and social issue. What is being 
proposed by the lawyers is not radical but has considerable evidence 
to support it.

In 2012, Australia21 reviewed alternative approaches in Europe, 
including the 10 years of Portugal's experience where use and 
possession of all drugs was decriminalised and where health and 
social supports for dependent users were enhanced. Overall, drug use 
did not substantially increase, but problematic drug use and 
mortality from drug use fell substantially.

The 2012 Australia21 report also included a proposal by Professor 
David Penington, former vice-chancellor of the University of 
Melbourne for a regulated Australian market of cannabis and ecstasy 
to registered Australian users of these drugs.

The Penington proposal would provide a framework also for medicinal 
cannabis use and would undercut the black market in these drugs, 
while making these drugs available to users over the age of 16, whose 
names would be on a register. This approach deserves early evaluation 
in Australia. The report is available at www.australia21.org.au.

Bob Douglas, Aranda
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom