Heed the new drug laws and don't be such a dope

Good morning to you; it's great to have your company, was how I started my radio show for many years. So, as I swap the black microphone for the pen, I though I should start this column in the same way.

Today's topic is dear to many Territorian's hearts - the increasing use of illicit drugs and the mistaken belief of many small-time cannabis users that they are simply enjoying themselves and not breaking the law.

In the 20 years I've been in Darwin I've watched the youth of this great part of Australia gradually become involved with drugs - and we've all witnessed the resultant increase in property crime.

As an individual who admits to popping the odd Panadol or two in my lifetime, I must hereby confess to have never taken any illicit drugs, and that includes whacky backy (sorry Chief Minister).

I guess this puts the way I see this topic in complete disagreement with those of Gary Meyerhoff and his Network Against Prohibition group.

The previous government was quoted as seeing the drug problem in the Territory as "a miniscule problem", even though any school kid could always tell you where and how to obtain drugs.

A famous solution to the problem a few years ago from former CLP minister Fred Finch was to buy drug users a single bus ticket out of town, and send them back to a state where drug laws were more lenient than in the NT.

But from August 1 the ALP Government's new Tough on Drugs package will come in to effect. This will see changes designed to give police the tools they need to help stamp out the drug problem.

Police will be able to declare residential, commercial or licensed premises as drug premises, and they will have increased powers to search them without a warrant.

This change alone has caused concern to many hoteliers and restaurateurs.

However, if it reduces the sale of drugs to our younger generation, I am all for it.

A new offence of possessing recipe books for the manufacture of amphetamines will not worry any of our gourmet chefs with a French or bush tucker cookbook.

New police powers to detain individuals for the purpose of a medical examination, where they are suspected of internally concealing or swallowing drugs, should bring about some messy evidence in court.

The Criminal Property Forfeiture Bill enables police to confiscate the ill-gotten gains of declared drug-traffickers.

A declared drug trafficker is a person convicted of three serious drug offences.

Once declared a drug trafficker, all property owned or controlled by that person, and all property that was given away by that person, will be forfeited to the Territory.

Justice Minister Dr Peter Toyne's new laws will target dealers, traffickers and manufacturers, and provides a stronger tool for NT police in their fight against illicit drug use and the related increase in property crime.

Now, just when you thought these new laws were only to catch the big guy, a word of warning to people who only use cannabis occasionally, and perhaps have the odd plant or two growing in a pot on the balcony.

Police Commissioner Paul White says: "Cannabis is an illegal drug and it is an offence to possess or use any amount no matter how small.

"Police can, and will issue an infringement notice which results in the offender incurring a monetary fine, similar to a speeding fine.

"The law relating to possession of small quantities has been decriminalised but possession has not been legalised.

"A survey conducted in 1998 showed 25 per cent of Top End residents either grew or possessed cannabis, and wrongly believed they were not breaking the law."

That seems pretty clear. And I know the increased presence of undercover drug squad police at most nightspots certainly has not gone unnoticed by the regula ragers and pill poppers.

They'd be well advsied to give up the drug scene and go back to the old way of enjoying the evening.

A combination of tougher new drug laws, an increased police presence, and a growing concern by the public, can only lead to a safer place for us all.

And, just maybe, our children will be discouraged from experimenting with a potentially dangerous and expensive habit.

That's the way I see it.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 10th July 2002
Source: Northern Territory News
Author: Col Newman
Website: http://www.ntnews.com.au
Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Copyright: 2002 Northern Territory News