Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens' Health and Police spokesperson
The Australia 21 Report, authored by former Premiers and Police Commissioners, has called on governments to look at drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal one.
Former Premiers, police commissioners and legal advocates are calling for an end to the 'war on drugs', and to focus instead on minimising harm for drug users, and those around them. Premier Hodgman needs to lead Tasmanians in the drug law reform conversation.
The law and order approach is now acknowledged to have completely failed to reduce drug use in the community, or the harms associated with it. We can't arrest our way out of the problem.
Tragically some drug users die from avoidable overdoses, and many more struggle against addiction. Those people, and their families, are suffering. Tasmania can do better.
The Australia 21 Report considers decriminalisation and recommends drug safety testing, and increasing health and social programs. This comes from those who have who have seen first-hand the effects of drug addiction, such as police commissioners, judges and prosecutors.
A community conversation about reforming drug policy is desperately needed in Tasmania.
Former Australian Federal Police Commissioner, Mick Palmer, noted the only reason a new approach hasn't been considered is a lack of courage.
Community leaders have to act to minimise drug harm and save lives. The Greens are calling on Will Hodgman, as Premier, to begin the public conversation about drug law reform.