Law_Reform_in_Action-_Drugs_and_the_Law

Law reform in action- Drugs and the Law The Law Reform in Action Topic that I would like to study is ‘Drugs and the Law’. The studies of this topic are mentioned in our syllabus, and the first dot point instructs us to identify and investigate a contemporary law reform issue. The investigation of ‘Drugs and the Law’ can be started by the question of “what are illegal drugs'” and the drug laws in NSW. It is an offense to possess, use, produce or supply a drug in NSW that has been prohibited. Majority of the drug charges in NSW are placed under the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985. This Act creates offences for; the use, possession, supply, trafficking and manufacture of prohibited drugs, cultivation and possession of prohibited plants, aiding/betting/taking part in offences involving prohibited drugs or plants, and possession of drug-use implements. It also classifies many drugs as ‘prohibited drugs’ which includes common street drugs - cannabis (marijuana), heroin, ecstasy, amphetamines, LSD, cocaine, methadone. The next dot point in our syllabus instructs us to examine the conditions that give rise to the need for law reform, the agencies of reform and mechanisms of reform. The most common drug offences are for possession, use and supply of prohibited drugs. Prohibition in Australia makes all behaviour related to drugs, criminal offences. There has been a significant increase in the prevalence of drug use since the 1960s, and particularly within young age groups. A statistic revealed, that in 2004 around 15 per cent of Australians over the age of 14 reported using drugs in the last 12 months. The vast majority of illicit drug use in Australia involves cannabis. Every year approximately 400 people die from illicit drug usage. Thousands of people suffer the short and long term health consequences of drug dependence, unsafe injecting practices and infections. Consequently, their families suffer along with them. However, despite all the devastating issues, the discussion of drug policies in recent years has been largely absent from the Australian political agenda, except for the emphasis on being tough on the drug laws. Then the next question appears. “Are stricter drug laws really effective'” Lastly, the syllabus requires us to assess the effectiveness of law reform in achieving just outcomes with regard to a contemporary law reform issue. Recent events convey that prohibition which prevailed since the mid 1990s, may about to change. New strict drug laws have been accomplished that give the Commonwealth the power to intervene what have been regarded as state issues. The Federal Government have also put an end to cannabis decriminalisation. In addition, the New South Wales Labor Government introduced new harsh cannabis laws. However, strict drug laws and law enforcement have many side effects that can be worse than the harms associated with drug use. These include, violence, corruption, risk-taking behaviour to avoid prosecution, reduced respect for the law, interaction with criminals, stigmatising drug users as criminals, increase risk of being involved in more crime, cause problems within employment, relationships, and accomodations. Former Premier of Western Australia, Geoff Gallop voiced his support for drug law reform in the Sydney Morning Herald saying “the path of reform has many obstacles – continuing problems with alcohol and its regulation, the search for simplicity in a complex world of imperfection and the belief in personal responsibility often above all else and certainly before community obligation – this should not blind us to the case for continuing reform. The evidence is overwhelming so there must be a reform narrative that has the potential to survive the test of public opinion.” Australia21 Director Dr Alex Wodak also showed his support on the failure of the drug laws by saying, “When Plan A doesn’t work, it’s time to think about Plan B.” This law reform issue is very important in our modern society, which affects many people within our community. It would give us an opportunity to study some of the flaws within our law system, and also give us questions us on how this issue could be solved effectively. Bibliography: http://www.legalanswers.sl.nsw.gov.au/guides/drugs/possession.html http://adlrf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/MAY-2008.pdf http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/tandi/401-420/tandi406.aspx http://www.australia21.org.au//publications/press_releases/Australia21_Illicit_Drug_Policy_Report.pdf http://shapingaustraliasfuture.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/alex-wodak-time-for-plan-b-in-war-on.html