Illicit drugs poll demonstrates need for leadership: Greens

Greens’ spokesperson for health, Senator Richard Di Natale, today questioned the value of a Nielsen poll on drugs and called on current politicians to show leadership on the issue.

“Today’s Nielsen poll into public attitudes towards the decriminalisation of illicit drugs is misleading because the community is not clear on the distinction between legalisation and decriminalisation,” said Senator Di Natale, a former GP and public health professional who worked in the drug and alcohol field.

“If asked a different question, whether people support treating drug users through the health system rather than charging them with a criminal offence, the results would be very different.

“The evidence on this issue is very clear. The current approach of criminalising individuals who use illicit drugs does not act as a deterrent but makes the problem worse.

“Cannabis was decriminalised in some Australian states with no corresponding increase in consumption but most people would not know that was the case.

“In Portugal, where criminal penalties for personal drug use have been replaced with civil sanctions, drug consumption has not increased but more people have been referred to treatment, there has been less crime and there has been decreased transmission of diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis.  

“We have got the balance wrong when it comes to illicit drugs. We need to spend much more on prevention, treatment and harm reduction strategies such as needle and syringe exchange and medically supervised injecting facilities rather than criminalising individual users.

“There has been a significant shift in the public debate with former presidents, police commissioners and judges now acknowledging the current approach isn’t working.

“Many politicians in Australia privately agree but they only find their voice once they leave office. Now is the time to show some leadership and make their voices heard.”
 
Media contact: Andrew Blyberg 0457 901 600