FDS Insight Magazine Aug - Oct 2022

14 ACT government agrees to decriminalise small amounts of illicit drugs, such as ice, heroin and cocaine M. Mannheim & H. Frost, abc.net.au (9/6/22) Key points • Users of small amounts of illegal drugs would be fined rather than charged under the proposed law • Police would continue to target dealers and try to end the supply of harmful drugs • The ACT also legalised the personal use of cannabis in 2019 The ACT government says research shows drug use is not linked to punishments for possessing small amounts.(Pixabay) The ACT is set to become the first Australian jurisdiction to decriminalise small amounts of commonly used illicit drugs, such as ice, heroin, cocaine and speed. Under a proposed law that the government has now endorsed, police would continue to target dealers and try to disrupt Canberra’s drug trade. However, people found with amounts considered to be ‘personal possession’ – smaller than trafficable quantities – would be subject to fines rather than criminal charges. The decision follows the recommendations of a Legislative Assembly inquiry into the proposal, which was tabled by Labor backbencher Michael Pettersson last year. The government indicated on Thursday it would support the bill but make several amendments to it, such as clarifying the size of ‘personal’ doses. The legislation will cover most common illicit substances, including LSD (acid), MDMA (ecstacy) and psyilocybin (magic mushrooms). The ACT was also the first – and remains the only – state or territory to legalise the personal use of cannabis, another of Mr Pettersson’s bills. Drug use a ‘health issue’, not a criminal matter Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith says the new approach will take pressure off the justice system.(ABC News: Toby Hunt)