Anyone caught manufacturing or dealing ice in NSW will now be facing life imprisonment and up to $500,000 in fines, with new laws coming to effect today.
The State Government has also lowed the threshold amount for a person to be considered manufacturing or dealing from 1 kilo to 500 grams.
“Drug manufacturers and dealers, particularly those involved in ice, profit from the misery and misfortune of others,” said NSW Attorney General Gabrielle Upton in a statement.
“We believe serious drug manufacturers and dealers spreading this poison throughout the community must be held to higher account.”
“The ultimate aim is to cut off supply of these drugs, which we know are an epidemic across our state.”
However, the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) has slammed the new laws, saying they’re unlikely to address the very real problem of ice in our communities.
Professor Alison Ritter, director of the Drug Policy Modelling Program at the NDARC said they appeared to be driven by “public concern rather than by evidence”, and is merely an effort to appear tough on drugs.
She also said that, as far as she knew, no one from the NSW Government consulted them or any other expert bodies prior to passing the new laws. And when the ABC “repeatedly” questioned Ms Upton, she wouldn’t answer.
Previously, the max sentence for dealing / making ice was 20 years.
If you or someone else needs support dealing with drugs or alcohol, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36.
