Parliament must pass drug reforms

Health and community organisations are calling on Queensland parliamentarians to vote yes to legislative changes that support a health-based approach to drug use.

The Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill is scheduled for debate this week, just days after the parliamentary Legal Affairs and Safety Committee backed the amendments that will expand the Police Drug Diversion Program for cannabis to include other drugs.

Under the changes, people found with small amounts of drugs for personal use would be given a warning or health intervention. A fourth interaction with police would result in a court notice.

The committee recommended the Queensland Police Service review its training processes to ensure the changes are adequately implemented, particularly when dealing with children, and called on the state government to independently evaluate the diversion program and report back within two years of the laws taking effect.

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMA Queensland), Queensland Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (QNADA) and QuIVAA, the Queensland peak peer drug user organisation, say it is imperative elected members vote in favour of ensuring our responses to drug use are evidence-based and focused on reducing harms.

A survey conducted by uComms on behalf of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation found a clear majority of Queenslanders from the Gold Coast to Cairns are supportive of a health-based response to personal drug use.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO SPOKESPEOPLE:

AMA QUEENSLAND PRESIDENT, DR MARIA BOULTON:

“AMA Queensland convened a drug law reform roundtable in 2021, bringing together experts from the medical and legal professions, law enforcement officials, community groups and people with lived experience in the area.

“The overwhelming consensus was we needed change to divert people away from the criminal system for minor drug offences and towards health intervention programs.

“We supported this legislation when it was introduced to parliament in February and stood alongside Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll and several former Commissioners to call for these amendments to be passed. These changes should be above politics.

“The report notes our recommendation that any savings realised by criminal justice agencies from these changes should be reallocated to Queensland Health for GP and community alcohol and other drug treatment services.

“It is critical that our already swamped diversion services are properly resourced to treat the estimated 17,000 people who will access this program in the first year.”

ALCOHOL AND DRUG FOUNDATION CEO, DR ERIN LALOR AM:

“Interactions with the justice system often exceed the harms that may be associated with drug use itself.

“In addition to the stigma experienced by people who use drugs, which delays or prevents help-seeking, people who become involved in the justice system because of drug use can also experience long term negative impacts on their social, employment, housing, and travel opportunities.

“For people who do have issues with their drug use, often this has more to do with the other challenges they might be facing. In these situations, our role as a community is to help them with the support they need to be healthy and well.

“There is strong and growing support among Australians for a health-based approach to drug use.

“A majority of Queenslanders would prefer people in possession of small amounts of illicit drugs to receive a health-based response, such as a caution, fine, warning, or be referred to treatment or an education program.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the government to strengthen the health response for all people who use drugs.”

QNADA CEO, REBECCA LANG:

“The proposed expansion of the Police Drug Diversion Program is an important step toward reducing the potential for harms associated with alcohol and other drug use in Queensland.

“Involvement with the criminal justice system can have a range of adverse individual, social and community consequences, such as disrupted relationships, isolation from community, and reduced access to educational opportunities, employment, housing and international travel.

“Diverting people to the health system also frees up police resources so they can focus on the supply and trafficking of drugs.

“For people who do require support for their drug use, a health-based response is most appropriate.”

QuIVAA CEO, EMMA KILL:

“By adopting a health-based approach to drug use, Queensland is sending a message that it values the lives and wellbeing of all its citizens, including those experiencing addiction.

“This is a step forward for better social justice and public health outcomes here in Queensland.

“The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that criminalising drug use and incarcerating those who use drugs has caused more harm than good. Rather than effectively reducing drug consumption or improving community safety, this approach has led to further stigmatisation and deaths within our community.”

For information on accessing support for alcohol and other drug issues in Queensland, call Adis on 1800 177 833, or visit https://qnada.org.au/where-to-get-help/ https://adf.org.au/path2help/