Parliamentary drug summit to hear case in favour of decriminalising possession

Doctors and researchers say there is a strong argument – and wide public support – for replacing criminal penalties with a harm reduction approach
The Guardian (UK)
Tuesday, March 1, 2016

australia-police-methSenior doctors and researchers will tell an annual parliamentary drug policy summit in Australia it is “time to be courageous” and remove all criminal penalties for drug possession. Criminologist Caitlin Hughes said there was “strong public support” for decriminalisation, which would save the public money without necessarily increasing drug use or crime. “Decriminalisation removes criminal penalties for use and possession by law or in practice. It does not provide a legal avenue to obtain drugs,” the University of New South Wales drug policy specialist said. (Drug decriminalisation helps minimise harm)