Hoptis
is a very different act to spreading information about how to get around a saliva test.
Don't you see that by trying to circumvent the technology we effectively justify everything the police ever say about us? We just give them more excuses to come up with even more draconian drug laws.
How is this think tank of ideas much different to web pages that have up-to-date speed camera locations, or the fact that there are many Aus companies out there that develop radar technology to sell to drivers that warn of speed camera areas? Speeding - which is also extremely dangerous, and causes as many road deaths as drug driving deaths - has, at least some, public opinion behind it.. I know first hand every time someone driving towards me flashes his lights to warn me of a speed camera/booze bus ahead. Have these attitudes by large sections of society who actively attempt, and succeed, to circumvent government enforced technology and procedures led to a more draconian system? I don't see any evidence of this..
The laws represent what the community at large believe. Unfortunately, in the current prohibitionist climate, it's much easier for politicians to score points by scapegoating drug users and the majority of the public not only agree with the drug driving laws, but they also support harsher sentences for drug driving offences
Yes couldn't agree more. However, isn't through the lack of comprehensive scientific information, and the disheartening lack of people like us to
highlight this fact - via subversive means if needs be - that has allowed public opinion to be swayed in this way, and therefore affect the shape of our democracy? The general public will take their ques from the authorities, which are backed up with
solid facts and reports to then apply democratically accepted laws, that’s the system. In this case the authorities have simply flashed news headlines of extreme drug driving fatality statistics, appealing directly to the publics sense of fear, then, rushed through laws that do not address all the issues already discussed on this thread.
In the long term, exposing the flaws and inaccuracies in the system through the courts and media is far more effective than finding ways of getting around it.
This is what we're doing to an extent. BL is a form of media, one that may effect others to become angry about the hypocrisies of the situation and write letters to the media, or better yet some independent investigative journalist could read posts like this and analyze the extent of some of our outrages to these new policies- its not like we're advocating driving wasted - well at least I'm not. I think it's just the the injustice of such an issue that deserves disobedience, and a think tank dedicated to fighting it seems to me to be a perfect avenue. And who knows the court system is where my fight may lead me..
dls
don't think we really have a foot to stand on with this. If the police were ever to give us a legal limit (a BDC!!!)
Unfortunately I agree totally. These changes will never happen as long as the stigma of illegal drugs continues to have the connotations connected with it that it has in today’s society..
Doesn't change the fact that, IMO, these laws are un-fair, a clever election stunt to prove Labor is "tough on bad driving/criminals/drugs", and a way to stigmatise individuals as drug users - even if they test a false positive - though one must admit they
will certainly save many lives.
If the main issues I've indicated through my rants had been examined properly by relevant authorities before implementation of laws that have the potential to cause massive disrtption to individuals lives, I'd have no problem with the new laws and sentences. However, this does not seem to be the case..so subversion should be definitely an option, and therefore, a discussion topic on this forum.
p.s I've finished arguing now.. it's probably better I've gotten my frustration out here rather than on the road.. also sorry for the rants guys, just thought that if there was anywhere that would even barely listen to an opinion such as mine and get a response it'd be here