Pubdate: Wed, 02 Feb 2005
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)
Copyright: 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Contact:  http://www.abc.net.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/34
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Australia
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

WA GOVERNMENT, OPPOSITION ARGUE OVER DRUG POLICY

The Western Australia Government and the Opposition have spent the day
sniping at one another over who is softer on drugs.

Opposition Leader Colin Barnett says the Government has failed the
community by easing laws on the possession of cannabis.

"Not only is the possession of cannabis no longer a criminal offence,
Dr Gallop has actually allowed people to grow cannabis in their
backyard," he said.

Mr Barnett says the Government has been too soft on cannabis, ignoring
its links to mental health problems, organised crime, and the use of
harder drugs.

Labor's laws allow people caught with up to 30 grams of cannabis to
escape criminal charges by paying a fine or attending an education
session.

Offenders are given the same choice for growing up to two cannabis
plants.

Mr Barnett says those laws trivialise the drug's impact on the
community.

"There is increasing evidence that cannabis is often associated with
mental health problems," he said.

"There's evidence of cannabis associated with road
trauma.

"It is a mind-altering substance and Dr Gallop has put the youth of
Western Australia at risk by his approach of decriminalising cannabis,
allowing the cultivation of cannabis in suburban backyards."

The Australian Medical Association's West Australian president Paul
Skerritt agrees, saying cannabis users often develop mental problems,
costing the health system tens of millions of dollars a year.

"You get a little bit of a slap on the hand, an on-the-spot fine and
therefore the Government is endorsing the totally incorrect idea that
these drugs are soft," he said.

Mr Barnett says the only people to escape charges under a coalition
government would be first offenders caught with 10 grams or less of
cannabis.

But the Health Minister, Jim McGinty, says letting anyone off with a
caution is unacceptable.

"That's not good enough. We need to bring home to people the
consequences of their cannabis use," he said.

Mr McGinty says the Government's laws are working.

"If the Liberals are going to go back to the regime they had in place
when they were in government, it is softer," he said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake