GOOD NEWS
OREGON DECRIMINALISES ALL DRUGS
On February 1st 2021, the US state of Oregon decriminalised the possession of all drugs, including cocaine and heroin.
This day marks the beginning of the end of the war on drugs that started in America exactly 50 Years ago when Richard Nixon declared war on drug users.
Additionally, Washington State introduced decriminalisation legislation into its lower house and the state of Vermont is considering the same.
It is ironic that America, the home of drug prohibition, should now be the genesis of its undoing.
Surely it is just a matter of time before Australia and the rest of the world stops criminalising people who use drugs.
Join Johann Hari for an Exclusive Movie Event in Melbourne on “Support Don’t Punish” day, June 26.
If you are in Melbourne on June 26th, Drug Policy Australia, in conjunction with other AOD organisations, are showing the movie “The United States vs Billie Holiday” with a live introduction by Johann Hari and Jenny Valentish on the big screen at the Heritage Listed Astor Theatre.
You can purchase discounted Early Bird Tickets Here.
Australian Inquiries Recommend Decriminalisation
The New South Wales Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug ‘Ice’ and the State Coroner’s Court of New South Wales both recommended the decriminalisation of all drugs.
Queensland Productivity Commission
The Queensland Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into imprisonment and recidivism not only recommended decriminalisation but also went a step further and recommended the legal regulation of cannabis and MDMA.
Announcing our Latest Patron, the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG
The Hon. Michael Kirby, former Justice of the High Court of Australia, is a staunch supporter of universal human rights and comes with a courageous history as a jurist and social justice campaigner.
We thank Michael for his support.
Uniting Church backs Decriminalisation
“It’s something I couldn’t agree with more. We’ve just got to get drug policy changed in Australia.” – Sir Richard Branson
One of Australia’s largest Christian organisations, the Uniting Church, has supported drug decriminalisation since 2016. Drug Policy Australia has joined with Uniting and 60 partner organisations advocating for decriminalisation and fairer treatments of drug users.
More Good News
United Nations Reclassifies Cannabis
In December last year, the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs removed marijuana (cannabis) from the list of the “world’s most dangerous” drugs category (Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs) where it was listed alongside deadly, addictive opioids, including heroin.
Government commits $15m for psychedelic drug therapy trials
The federal government has committed $15 million for the development of psychedelic drug therapies for mental illness.
In clinical trials worldwide, MDMA, magic mushrooms and ketamine are showing promising results in treating PTSD and depression.
TGA approves Pharmacy Cannabis Sales
Despite the lack of political action, the Therapeutic Goods Administration approved the over-the-counter purchase of low-dose cannabis oil on February 1st.
Canberra Introduces Decriminalisation Bill
Following its groundbreaking legalisation of Cannabis, the ACT Government continues to set the benchmark in the drug policy reform by introducing a bill to decriminalise small amounts of illicit drugs to the lower house that is now being reviewed in committee.
Australian Lawyers Alliance
The ALA has released a policy report, “Doing More Harm Than Good”, that advocates for drug decriminalisation and for a health-focused approach to drug use’
NEW Website Resource: How to Argue the Case for Reform
At Drug Policy Australia, we believe that drug prohibition has been an unmitigated disaster. Not only has it failed to control the trade and use of illicit drugs, but its unintended consequences threaten the health and human rights of all members of society, especially the vulnerable.
If you’d like to learn how to discuss and defend the case for reform with family and friends, then this valuable online resource is for you.
Laws Don’t Stop People Using Drugs
Having recovered from my own addition, I appreciate from lived experience how ineffective the current drug laws are. They did not help me then, and they are not helping the thousands of families who need help with addiction today.
The stark truth is that the drug laws put our children at risk of losing their future through a criminal conviction or even their life from a tainted batch of black-market drugs.
This is why Dr John Sherman, an addiction specialist with 40 year’s experience, and I, started Drug Policy Australia.
With your help, we can end the persecution of vulnerable Australians that need support, not punishment.
Can you Help?
We need your help to tackle this injustice. You can support our call for justice and human rights for all Australians by donating?
To stay up to date, like and follow Drug Policy Australia’s Facebook page and check out the news section of our website.
With your help, we will continue to expand our work in 2021.
Greg Chipp
Managing Director
Dr John Sherman, Stephanie Tzanetis and Lisa van Rooyen
Directors
Greg Chipp
http://www.drugpolicy.org.au/
