Page 273 - Week 01 - Thursday, 14 February 2019
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and licit drug use, including alcohol and tobacco, can have a wide range of poor health outcomes, much of the harm related to drug and alcohol use results from the interface with the criminal justice system.
In their recent report, independent think tank Australia 21 noted that the shame, stigma and marginalisation that goes hand in hand with prohibition drug policies stops many families from speaking out or seeking help. They also noted that once people are in the criminal system, continued misuse of drugs and alcohol will, for many, lead to repeated incarceration. Cumulative trauma and institutionalisation impacts dramatically on an individual’s ability to gain control over their drug use and to rebuild their lives.
The Greens believe that the problems associated with drug use are best addressed within a health and social framework and that imprisonment for the personal use of illicit drugs is an inappropriate and harmful response. That is why we have led the debate on key issues like pill testing and why we support efforts to legalise possession and use of small amounts of cannabis. These are both significant steps in a long journey of drug law reform that I hope will ultimately see personal drug use treated as a health issue rather than as a criminal issue.
We have had many debates in this place about the benefits of pill testing. The results of last year’s pilot backed up what the evidence from overseas had already shown. Pill testing provides an opportunity for young people to engage with health professionals to get advice about their drug use and it can save, and has saved, lives.
Results from the 2018 Canberra pill testing trial showed that six in 10 of those who had their pills tested said that they were surprised by the results of testing. Four in 10 of those who had their pills tested said that they would change their behaviour after finding out what was really in their pills. And three in four of those who brought drugs for testing received alcohol and other drug counselling from the medical professionals on site.
As an attendee at Groovin the Moo in 2018, I was personally able to witness how the trial operated, including seeing potentially fatal substances being identified. From this experience, I know that pill testing makes festivals safer for those who attend, allowing them to have a great day and to come home safe.
On another issue, we will soon debate the question of legalising cannabis possession. I imagine that we will have quite some discussions on that topic going forward. The reality is that many people in Canberra choose to use cannabis right now, despite its illicit status. My focus, both as Minister for Mental Health and as a member of this place, is to reduce the harm that comes from cannabis use by encouraging people to seek support.
We know that people with drug and alcohol problems can wait up to 18 years before they seek treatment because we stigmatise and criminalise people who use drugs. This drives them into the shadows and away from help. Whether a person needs help for a mental health condition, an addiction or a range of other complex social issues that can be associated with drug use, we need to do more to break down stigma and
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