DRUG EQUIPMENT BAN
The Queensland government has introduced higher penalties for the sale of equipment for using the illicit drugs cannabis and ICE.
The equipment comprises bongs and ICE pipes and will impact on 300 retailers throughout Queensland.
Fines of up to $10,500 for conviction and on the spot fines of $300 will enforce the ban.
(Source: Ministerial news release, 5 July 2007)
The Drug Advisory Council of Australia Comments-
ICE is highly addictive and cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Australia so removing the users equipment is a good initiative.
The illicit drug equipment ban is not uniform across Australia so it is still possible to acquire the bongs and pipes in other states therefore undermining the Queensland initiative.
There is now a clear need to substantially reduce the number of illicit drug users to reduce the demand for this equipment.
Supply reduction initiatives to reduce illicit drugs and equipment used are good but these must be supported by demand reduction initiatives.
A key demand reduction initiative to reduce the number of illicit drug users, is to have courts divert illicit drug users into detoxification and rehabilitation to get them drug free.
Courts need to supervise illicit drug users during detoxification and rehabilitation to ensure that a user completes the program.
There are too few detoxification and rehabilitation programs in Australia.
These demand reduction initiatives are a major reason why some overseas countries have reduced their drug using population.
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
26/2007