2016 support. don't punish presentation
TRANSCRIPT
Support. Don’t Punish
Discussing ReGen’s position on drug law reform
The campaign:• International drug policy reform• Increased focus on health and HR• PWUD should not be criminalised• Remove harsh punishments for
people at low end of drug trade• End to use of death penalty
Discussing ReGen’s Position
Three broad options for reform:
• Depenalisation• Decriminalisation• Regulation (Legalisation)
Discussing ReGen’s Position
Depenalisation• Possession & use remain
criminalised• Individual still punished, but police
have discretion with penalty e.g. infringement notices
Discussing ReGen’s Position
Decriminalisation• Shift in punishment from criminal to
civil/administrative • Increased accessibility of treatment
& support services• Police can focus on production &
supply, rather than use/possession• Enables expansion of HR measures
e.g. drug checking
Discussing ReGen’s Position
Legalisation• Enables free or regulated markets• Can be drug-specific e.g. cannabis• Govt tax revenue (treatment funding)• Capacity for quality control &
regulated supply• Major impact on illicit markets
Discussing ReGen’s Position
Recent local developments:• Canberra Drug Policy Summit (
http://www.drugpolicyreform.com.au/) • Uniting NSW/ACT position (http://
sco.lt/6JDko5) • UnitingCare Australia position
Where to from here?