ACT government decriminalises small amounts of illicit drugs

[sarahb 17,185]

The ACT (Australian Capital Territory) government has decriminalised small amounts of commonly used illicit drugs, becoming the first jurisdiction to do so in the country.

Under the new law, people found with amounts of certain drugs considered to be "personal possession" — smaller than trafficable quantities — would be subject to fines rather than criminal charges, and be referred for counselling.

The law, which will not come into effect for 12 months, applies to drugs such as heroin, cocaine and speed.

The legislation follows the recommendations of a Legislative Assembly inquiry into the proposal, which was tabled by Labor backbencher Michael Pettersson last year.

The ACT was the first — and remains the only — state or territory to legalise the personal use of cannabis, another of Mr Pettersson's bills.

The penalty for possession of a small quantity of the decriminalised drugs will be a $100 civil fine (that will not need to be paid if the person chooses to attend an illicit drug diversion class), a diversion or a caution.

Before the reform, the maximum penalty for possession was two years' imprisonment.

While the law may have changed in relation to possession, police will still be able to target dealers and work to disrupt the drug trade in Canberra.

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the reforms were focused on harm reduction and had been called for by people with lived experience of drug use, the alcohol and other drugs sector, and the advocacy group Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform (FFDLR).

"We know that treating drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal one is not only reducing harm for those individuals who use drugs, but also ultimately ends up building a safer community."

The Canberra Liberals, who have opposed the bill since its inception, said they would push for the laws to be repealed.

The party's deputy leader Jeremy Hanson said the "radical reform" would cause multiple new problems and exacerbate existing ones.

"It wasn't taken to the community, it's going to lead to more crime, it's going to lead to more carnage on our roads," he said.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-20/act-decriminalises-small-amounts-of-illicit-drugs-heroin-cocaine/101552008

Won't hold my breath for this to be rolled out to the rest of Australia anytime soon but it's a start