tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5426187053282004467.post1971895815899292642..comments2023-08-23T00:11:34.071+10:00Comments on The Australian Heroin Diaries: The Political Will to End Drug ProhibitionTerry Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12331435244789111209noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5426187053282004467.post-59891222919894973332011-01-21T13:23:11.900+11:002011-01-21T13:23:11.900+11:00Ralph,
Just like the introduction of speed camera...Ralph,<br /><br />Just like the introduction of speed cameras into this country was a progressive thing (to pass parliment they initally had to be restricted to certain signed zones), drug law reform is going to be another progressive policy that develops over a period of time. To pass or be accepted into by the australian media, it must mimic tradition drug policy, using similiar terminology and based on similiar idiologies. disguised, if you will, you know, the traditional way of pulling the wool over the publics eye. <br /><br />In this policy we still see drug users as the bad people. they still need help and we are still promoting abstinance. the only acknowledgement of progression really is the move away from crimial sactions, and the introduction of a new party drug to compliment alcohol and tobacco. its change, it will get people used to the idea that illicit drugs are not the gateway to hell, and it will start to unravel the years of goverment properganda and stereotyping. Once the majority of junkies are able to hold down a fulltime job because they no longer have to spend every minute thinking about funding their next fix, we will see an integration, acceptance and growing political sway of the marginalised people of the country... followed closely by real change...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5426187053282004467.post-52767551783146162992011-01-19T16:19:17.287+11:002011-01-19T16:19:17.287+11:00I agree that moving toward legalization of drugs u...I agree that moving toward legalization of drugs under Government controlled conditions would have benefits. The Australian Democrats' plan however does not cover how to stop the current problem of Criminal Supply. Currently Methadone is available as a Government controlled drug, however this does not stop the drug from also being sold on the streets as any drug user would know.<br /><br />Another problem with the proposal of the Australian Democrats is that a lot of drug users would be very reluctant to register, eg because of other negative experiences with the law. This would in fact encourage sell-on of legalized drugs on the streets to those who are not registered and increase the problem. Furthermore, a percentage of drug users do not have the documents to identify themselves and so registration would not be possible for them.<br /><br />By the way, the Greens have not fallen in line with the main parties concerning their drug policy. They still focus on harm minimization, rather than punitive measures. Their drug policy can be read at http://greens.org.au/policies/care-for-people/drugs-substance-abuse-and-addiction I think that the wording in this policy "The Australian Greens do not support the legalisation of currently illegal drugs" means they don't support open slather legalisation. I think they would support some form of Controlled Government Supply, but probably different than the Democrats are suggesting in this article.Ralphnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5426187053282004467.post-17225366076328470672011-01-16T21:08:51.020+11:002011-01-16T21:08:51.020+11:00damn political "will" lol.... the will ...damn political "will" lol.... the will to piss off self serving COPS pty ltd by telling them that 70+ per cent of their revenue streams about to come to an end via the decriminalization / regulation of all substances... gee wont be much overtime 4 detective"Johnny We care a lot"..<br />An example of this can be found on the front page of this weekends "West Australian"(15/16 Jan 2011) newspaper..Where a newly retired judge( Bill Groves )calls TOUGH DRUG LAWS "futile"...and suggests we need a new approach including prescription Heroin to minimalize the dangers and to decrease drug related petty crime and burglaries and other predictable entrapments ( all stuff ppl with half a brain and no moral agenda have known for decades)..this display of common sense in combination with the right wing leaning West Australians<br />decision to publish Bill Groves important community announcement..was met with the usual "sends the wrong message /think of the children " hollow brain rhetoric from Police Minister<br />Rob Johnson who was quoted as coming up with this gem <br />"Even in small doses (illegal drugs) can be extremely dangerous and often lethal... not to mention the social costs"<br />tho most west australians now know Rob Johnson as a bit of a retarded cowboy after many idiotic quotes in the local rag ...<br />The sad part to this story is the fact that these judges,top cops and other "pillars of society" choose to air their feelings on this complex subject once theyve retired or after they no longer hold office or influence... so in a way are still complicit in the general political cowardice...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com