Billionaire business magnate Sir Richard Branson has called for the New South Wales (NSW) government to enact reforms to decriminalise drugs statewide.
“It’s time to decriminalise now and put people’s health first. For God’s sake, do something about it,” Mr. Branson said in a self-recorded video.
“More needs to be done. I can’t wait to hear when NSW has held its long-promised drug summit and listen to the evidence about sensible, compassionate and effective drug laws.”
Mr. Branson believes NSW should follow the lead of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in its reforms.
“The Australian Capital Territory took the lead and changed its drug laws for the better, removing criminal sanctions for simple drug use,” he said.
Mr. Branson’s video message comprises part of the Fair Treatment Campaign founded by the Uniting Church in 2018, which aims to provide increased treatment and services surrounding drug use.
NSW Labor, led by Chris Minns, went to the state election in March promising to hold a drug summit in which drug reforms would be discussed and considered. Premier Minns has yet to provide a clear time horizon regarding the summit other than saying it will take place in 2024.
Mr. Branson’s comments come just weeks after the Minns government implemented a major overhaul to the state’s current drug legislation.
From the start of 2024, people who are found in possession of small quantities of illicit substances for recreational use will be issued a fine that will be waived if they attend a drug and alcohol education program.
The government hopes the changes could deter thousands of people away from the NSW criminal justice system. The changes will only apply to personal usage. Commercial drug supply and distribution will be prosecuted as per usual.
NSW Attorney General Michael Daley believes the reforms are on the right track to making drugs a health issue rather than a criminal one.
“It is still an offence to possess and use illicit drugs and the NSW government supports people, their families, and communities impacted by illicit drugs.”
Mr. Daley is adamant the reforms will ease pressures on the NSW justice system.
Previous Reforms
The first and only NSW drug summit was held in 1999 under the purview of then-Premier Bob Carr. Between the mid to late 1990s, the state faced an unprecedented number of heroin overdoses that culminated in 1,116 opioid deaths among those aged between 15-54 in 1999.There were also substantial increases in the number of individuals treated for heroin dependence, arrested for heroin-related offences, and diagnosed with Hepatitis C infections. A widely published photo of a young injecting heroin in an inner-Sydney alleyway became the catalyst for the summit.
The summit aimed to prioritise treatment and rehabilitation over punishment, particularly for young people. It led to significant drug-related policy reforms, including the implementation of Supervised Injection Facilities (SIFs), expanded needle exchange programs, drug diversion initiatives as well as increased state funding for treatment plans.
The ACT is currently the most progressive Australian state or territory in terms of its drug reforms.
In the terrority, it was recently announced that from Oct. 28 the personal possession of small amounts of common illicit drugs will be decriminalised going forward. These substances will still remain illegal but offenders are more likely to be issued cautions, small fines or compulsory counselling rather than a criminal charge.
In early 2020, the territory also introduced new laws surrounding cannabis usage.
Since Jan. 31, 2020, individuals aged 18 and above have been able to possess up to 50 grams of dried cannabis or 150 grams of fresh cannabis. They are also able to grow up to two cannabis plants per person with a maximum of four per household.
The ACT became the first state or territory to decriminalise the substance in 1992, after introducing reforms to impose civil penalties for the possession and usage of small amounts of cannabis rather than criminal ones.
Authorities have, however, expressed concerns over such approaches. ACT Policing opposed the territory’s recent reforms since they were first proposed to parliament.
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) has said the changes will allow street dealers to continue their usual rates of distribution without risking criminal charges.
Similarly, Liberal Senator for Western Australia Michaelia Cash introduced a bill to the Senate in an attempt to repeal the laws, claiming they would send a message to organised criminals to do business in Canberra.
