CHILDREN of drug-addicted parents should be adopted out if their parents can't "sort themselves out", a parliamentary committee has recommended. Liberal MPs on a House of Representatives committee inquiry into illicit drug use have called for a hardline approach to drug policy, including dumping the Government's "harm minimisation policy". The committee, chaired by Liberal MP Bronwyn Bishop, says a policy of harm prevention and treatment would be preferable. Ms Bishop said the tough approach to child protection had resulted from stories of "appalling neglect and abuse" of children of drug-using parents. The committee recommends adoption be established as the "default" care option for children aged five and under, where child protection authorities had identified illicit drug use by the parents. [continues 121 words]
THE state's "accidental politician" Ann Bressington has vowed to push for zero tolerance on drugs, limited rights for same-sex couples and the outlawing of pill-testing at rave parties. Ms Bressington, who was elected on the success of Nick Xenophon's No Pokies ticket, has resigned her long-term position as Drugbeat SA chief executive, but has vowed to remain vocal on drugs. She was supportive of a zero tolerance approach for drug manufacturers and distributors, but did not support fines or jail terms for users. [continues 210 words]
It is no secret to anyone who lives here that the city has had problems for several years now with drugs and crime. With the influx of out-of-state drug activity (that is not recent, as some would like to say), the problems are growing more intense. So many times I hear that this is a recent situation, yet 10 years ago I resided on 18th Street (12th Avenue) and the same situation was going on then right outside my front door. Nothing was done, and now here we are -- a community suffering from the loss of four children who should have been our future. [continues 95 words]
