Nicole Lee and Alison Ritter write in The Conversation (2.3.16) about the deliberations of a federal parliamentary drug summit, and the options available to it for recreational drug policy reform.
‘Some of the greatest harms from using illicit drugs are because they are illegal.
‘Illegal drug production is unregulated and many drugs are manufactured in backyard labs. Users cannot be sure what’s in them or how potent they are, so the risk of adverse reactions, including overdose and death, is high.
‘A large proportion of the work of the justice system – police, courts and prisons – is occupied with drug-related offences. Many people have a criminal record for possessing drugs intended for personal use, which can affect their work prospects.
‘Drug busts have little impact on the availability of drugs and, as we continue to see more harms including overdoses and deaths, it is clear we need a new approach to illicit drugs.’
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