Today in Canberra, a huge, progressive, very goddamn important and overdue conversation went down about drugs – particularly Australia‘s attitude to them, and our policies around them.
“There are three immediate steps that governments can take in partnership with non-government organisations, police and health authorities to save lives. The first is to enable a trial of pill testing at public events such as music festivals.The second is to remove drug sniffer dogs from public events because we know that they frighten people into taking their drugs in one hit and are contributing to overdoses rather than preventing them.The third is in recognition that police and other government agencies hold data and information on the composition of street drugs gained through seizure and hospital presentations.”
Pill-testing was heavily discussed, which included hugely inspiring input from Dr Alex Wodak, the president of the Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation (and the guy who said #ParlDrugSummit was his wet dream, just FYI). Wodak is the excellent human being who has announced that he and David Caldicott will be doing a privately-funded pill-testing trial, with or without the Baird government’s approval:
Alex Wodak: Pill testing is just one step, an important one, towards regulating as much as possible of the drug market #ParlDrugSummit
— David Shoebridge (@ShoebridgeMLC) March 2, 2016
Former police officer Frank Hansen and @davidcaldicott discussing pill testing to reduce harm #ParlDrugSummit pic.twitter.com/Ywg95Dznv0
— Richard Di Natale (@RichardDiNatale) March 2, 2016
As an ex-police offficer, I’ve seen first hand that arrest/conviction DOES NOT WORK #HarmReduction #ParlDrugSummit @LEAHNetwork
— Melissa Jardine (@majardine) March 2, 2016
Police need to step up and influence scared politicians that the current approach doesn’t work #ParlDrugSummit @LEAHNetwork #HarmReduction
— Melissa Jardine (@majardine) March 2, 2016
Panelist representing drug users: “We are not just collateral damage in the war on drugs.” Hear hear. #ParlDrugSummit
— cappuccino mike (@michaelrdw) March 2, 2016
“People who use drugs are one of the biggest resources we have to dealing with drug issues.” #ParlDrugSummit
— Richard Di Natale (@RichardDiNatale) March 2, 2016
According to polls conducted by the National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) found that a sub-total of people who supported decriminalised actions such as health support and warnings for drug users ranged from 64% – 88%, depending on the drug in question:
Annie Madden: drug use is not going away. Let’s encourage drug users to be part of solution #ParlDrugSummit pic.twitter.com/BfWYzztmyA
— Richard Di Natale (@RichardDiNatale) March 2, 2016
“We are your family members, your friends, your colleagues, your citizens – not some collateral damage” says Annie Madden #ParlDrugSummit
— Richard Di Natale (@RichardDiNatale) March 2, 2016
Applause:Annie Madden stigma and discrimination r powerful influences inhibiting the voice of drug users. Care for advocates #ParlDrugSummit
— Lyn Morgain (@MsLynM) March 2, 2016