Secret soft turn on hard drugs
the West Australian - front page Monday 26th July 2004
WENDY PRYER
"People caught with small amounts of hard drugs including heroin and amphetamines are being let off with a caution under a controversial change to police procedures that has been operating for seven months.
The change, introduced without announcement, lets people caught for the first time with up to half a gram of amphetamines or heroin or up to two tablets of ecstasy or other drugs to escape criminal penalty by going to three counselling sessions.
The State Opposition says the change shows the State Government is soft on drugs.
WA Police Service rules were changed in January to allow small-time users who admit their guilt, have not offended before and were not involved in another crime when caught with the drug, to be diverted out of the justice system and into the health system. They are charged with the drug offence if they do not attend counselling.
Coalition deputy and National Party leader Max Trenorden attacked the new rules, saying the State Government was sending the WA community the wrong message about drugs.
"These are the drugs that parents worry about when their kids go to nightclubs," he said.
"They are sending the message that it's all right to go around with small amounts of drugs. It will encourage trafficking because people know they can get away with it. That is a significant change to drug enforcement and they did it without telling the population as a whole."
But Drug and Alcohol Office acting executive director Steve Allsop said the diversion program was restricted to small numbers of people and was part of a national initiative funded by the Federal Government and supported by all other States.
"I think it has been shown to be effective because if somebody is referred to compulsory treatment, it is an effective way of getting them off drugs," Professor Allsop said.
He rejected claims the program had been kept quiet because of fear of public backlash, saying it had just not been launched with any fanfare.
It was an extension of a trial that began under the former Court Government, in December 2000, and operated in Geraldton, Perth and Mirrabooka, he said.
The trial ended and became formal police policy across the State on January 1. Legislative change was not required.
Since January 1 this year, 32 people caught with illicit drugs have been diverted to treatment under the program. Nineteen have completed counselling.
Of those 19, all were caught with amphetamine-like substances, including amphetamine, methylamphetamine and MDMA (ecstasy).
But people caught with small amounts of cannabis or growing two plants or fewer cannot go through the diversion program. They must opt for a fine or one education session under controversial new laws that took effect in March.
Professor Allsop said it was too early to say if the trial had reduced re-offending rates for drug offences, saying it would be evaluated when more people had been through it."
Comments - the diversion program for small amounts of so-called hard drugs has been going on for a while now across Australia. I remember when I first heard about it thinking what a field day it would be when the media got hold of it - I guess they got their day in Perth today!
the West Australian - front page Monday 26th July 2004
WENDY PRYER
"People caught with small amounts of hard drugs including heroin and amphetamines are being let off with a caution under a controversial change to police procedures that has been operating for seven months.
The change, introduced without announcement, lets people caught for the first time with up to half a gram of amphetamines or heroin or up to two tablets of ecstasy or other drugs to escape criminal penalty by going to three counselling sessions.
The State Opposition says the change shows the State Government is soft on drugs.
WA Police Service rules were changed in January to allow small-time users who admit their guilt, have not offended before and were not involved in another crime when caught with the drug, to be diverted out of the justice system and into the health system. They are charged with the drug offence if they do not attend counselling.
Coalition deputy and National Party leader Max Trenorden attacked the new rules, saying the State Government was sending the WA community the wrong message about drugs.
"These are the drugs that parents worry about when their kids go to nightclubs," he said.
"They are sending the message that it's all right to go around with small amounts of drugs. It will encourage trafficking because people know they can get away with it. That is a significant change to drug enforcement and they did it without telling the population as a whole."
But Drug and Alcohol Office acting executive director Steve Allsop said the diversion program was restricted to small numbers of people and was part of a national initiative funded by the Federal Government and supported by all other States.
"I think it has been shown to be effective because if somebody is referred to compulsory treatment, it is an effective way of getting them off drugs," Professor Allsop said.
He rejected claims the program had been kept quiet because of fear of public backlash, saying it had just not been launched with any fanfare.
It was an extension of a trial that began under the former Court Government, in December 2000, and operated in Geraldton, Perth and Mirrabooka, he said.
The trial ended and became formal police policy across the State on January 1. Legislative change was not required.
Since January 1 this year, 32 people caught with illicit drugs have been diverted to treatment under the program. Nineteen have completed counselling.
Of those 19, all were caught with amphetamine-like substances, including amphetamine, methylamphetamine and MDMA (ecstasy).
But people caught with small amounts of cannabis or growing two plants or fewer cannot go through the diversion program. They must opt for a fine or one education session under controversial new laws that took effect in March.
Professor Allsop said it was too early to say if the trial had reduced re-offending rates for drug offences, saying it would be evaluated when more people had been through it."
Comments - the diversion program for small amounts of so-called hard drugs has been going on for a while now across Australia. I remember when I first heard about it thinking what a field day it would be when the media got hold of it - I guess they got their day in Perth today!
