2016 support. don't punish presentation

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?