Pubdate: Fri, 31 Oct 2003 Source: West Australian (Australia) Copyright: 2003 West Australian Newspapers Limited Contact: http://www.thewest.com.au Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/495 Author: Wendy Pryer DOPE THERAPY OPTION FINE WITH NEW LAW GUARD THE senior policeman charged with implementing WA's controversial cannabis law will be happy if he does not collect 1 cent for the State Government through its enforcement. Divisional superintendent of crime services, Supt Ron Carey, said WA police would be trained to encourage people caught with small amounts of cannabis to take up the option of counselling instead of a fine. Under the new law, to take effect from March next year, people caught with less than 30g of cannabis or smoking implements will be given the option of a $150 fine or attendance at an education session with a drug counsellor. "I don't particuarly care if we collect one fine," Supt Carey said. "If we do our job well, together with the Helath Department, we could see a reduction in the number of people using cannabis and that would be a good outcome." WA police would be ready to enforce the new law six months after its passage through State Parliament. The State Opposition, which opposes the new law, claims it could result in more people clogging up the court system. A Liberal Party report based on the experience in South Australia, where laws were changed to fine people caught with small amounts of cannabis instead of laying criminal charges, shows that 45 per cent went to court for not paying the fines. Opposition justice spokesman Peter Foss said the same problem was likely in WA. "Potheads don't get around to paying their bills," he said. "If they are pushers they will pay. The experience is the people they (the Government) want to help won't pay." But Professor Steve Allsop, practice development director with the Drug and Alcohol Office, said two precautions had been taken in WA to prevent the non-payment of fines. He said the SA law did not provide people with the option of education rather than fines. Also, police there were not required to get proof of identification, which had made fine enforcement difficult. "The expectation is that proof of identification and the option of cannabis education will significantly reduce the likelhood of non-compliance," he said. WA education sessions would be run by experienced drug counsellors and would mirror sessions already available under the cannabis cautioning system. Supt Carey said while counselling those caught with small amounts of cannabis would be encouraged, West Australians were reminded that its use would remain illegal. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh