Pubdate: Thu, 03 Feb 2005
Source: West Australian (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 West Australian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.thewest.com.au
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/495
Author: Wendy Pryer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

MOST AVOID CANNABIS COUNSELLING

Just one in nine West Australians caught by police under the State's 
cannabis legislation in the past six months has had drug counselling, 
raising questions about whether the current laws can be justified on health 
grounds.

Figures released by the WA Police Service show that of the 1921 
infringements issued in the six months to December 31, ony 237 people - 
about 12 per cent - took up the option of drug counselling.  More than one 
infringement can be issued to one person but the Government could not 
confirm how many people were given notices.

And Drug and Alchol Office figures show that for the first three months 
under the controversial law, which took effect in March, only 23 per cent 
of people chose conselling.

The majority opted to pay fines but 40 per cent have failed to do so, with 
the Fines Enforcement Agency in the process of taking action.

More than 700 infringments have been referred to the agency and it has 
suspended 242 licences and has warned that it is about to suspend another 
293 for non-payment of cannabis fines - ranging from $150 to $250.  Only 89 
of those have been paid.

DAO chief Steve Allsop said he could not comment on the figures because a 
full analysis of data was still under way.

He confirmed the analysis would not be available before the end of the 
election campaign, despite earlier indications it would be, but said that 
was because the process was not complete, not because of political pressure.

Health Minister Jim McGinty said unlike under the previous sytstem, where 
many cannabis users were warned and not punished, his law ensured that 
there was a penalty if counselling was not taken up.

Australian Family Association president John Barich said the figures showed 
the law, as predicted, had failed to get people into the treatment they needed.

Mr Barich said he welcomed the AMA's opposition to the law but was 
surprised because it had supported the Government's approach at the 
community drug summit.

But the leading cannabis researcher in WA who helped draft the law, 
National Drug Research Institute senior researcher Simon Lenton, said that 
at least 18 months of data was needed to determine the success or otherwise 
of the laws.
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MAP posted-by: Beth