Remember the racist ‘Drug House’ laws

Fiona Clarke, the Network Against Prohibition candidate for Fannie Bay in Saturday’s Northern Territory election, has called on Territorians to remember the draconian ‘Drug House’ legislation when they vote tomorrow.

Ms Clarke said: “This week’s announcement by the NT Police Drug Enforcement Section that they have issued a ‘Drug House’ notice in the Bagot Community in Darwin, confirms fears that the law continues to be used to target the indigenous community.”

In August 2001, the NT Labor Government implemented the draconian “Drug House” laws.

The first person to have their house signposted as a ‘drug house’ was Margot Laughton, a member of the Stolen Generation.

The police can have a house declared a “Drug House” if there are certain indications of supply or if police reasonably suspect that the supply of drugs is taking place at the premises and police find dangerous drugs on the premises on three separate occasions within a twelve-month period.

Once a house is declared a “Drug House” a notice is affixed at the entry of the premises stating it to be a Declared Drug Premises and any attempt to alter or tamper with the notice will be treated as an offence, punishable by imprisonment.

If your house is declared a “Drug House”:

• The premises may be searched by a member of the Police Force at any time without a warrant;

• A person on the premises may be searched and an order may be sought authorising the performance of an internal search of the body of the person;

• A person who is found on the premises at the time a dangerous drug is found on the premises may be charged with possession of the drug;

• An object on the premises that relates to an offence against the Misuse of Drugs Act that may have been committed on the premises may be seized;

• A restraining order may be issued to a person who breaches the peace on the premises; and

• A person who is on the premises or within 200 metres of the premises or a person suspected to be associated with the premises will be required to provide the Police Force with their name and address.

The Darwin-based human rights group the Network Against Prohibition is running five candidates in tomorrow’s election. Scott White vies for the seat of Casuarina, Fiona Clarke – Fannie Bay, Gary Meyerhoff – Johnston, Robert Inder-Smith – Millner and Stuart Highway – Nightcliff.

For more information about the NAP election campaign click here.

For more information on Margot Laughton’s case click here.