Pubdate: Tue, 16 Jul 2002
Source: Courier-Mail, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2002 News Limited
Contact:  http://www.thecouriermail.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/98
Author: Matthew Franklin

DRUGS UPDATE THE RIGHT FIX

THE quiet revolution in Queensland's drug laws is all but complete.

Yesterday's news of a trial, under which people caught with small amounts 
of drugs will face counselling instead of courts, means recreational drug 
use has been all-but decriminalised in Queensland. Under a pre-existing 
diversion program for cannabis, thousands of Queenslanders, who would once 
have been arrested and charged over possession of the drug, have been given 
a second chance. Yesterday's announcement extended that to harder drugs 
such as LSD, heroin and cocaine.

It means students and nightclub revellers caught experimenting with drugs 
will get a chance to avoid criminal convictions and to learn the facts 
about the dangers of drug abuse. But far more importantly, it means 
authorities have the chance to improve the lives of hard-core, addicted 
drug abusers by offering treatment instead of fines or court sentences. 
Used properly, the diversion regime presents a positive intervention to 
help people who are in genuine trouble, not just a cheap excuse to let 
people off the hook. Drugs are finally being seen as a health problem, not 
a law-and-order issue.

Premier Peter Beattie, who falls over himself to appear socially 
conservative, has continued his program of backdoor reform conducted behind 
a cloak of conservatism. But this time, with his political opponents on 
board, the risks would seem to be minimal.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens