25/10/24: Advocates say Queensland’s health-based approach to drug use must stay
Health and community organisations are calling on the Queensland Opposition to keep drug laws in place that reduce serious harms in the community if the party wins government on Saturday.
On Thursday, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli confirmed the LNP government would scrap Queensland’s Police Drug Diversion Program that allows people found with small amounts of drugs for personal use to be given a warning or referral to a health intervention, rather than a criminal penalty.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF), the Queensland Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (QNADA), Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMA Queensland) and Queensland Injectors Voice for Advocacy and Action (QuIVAA) said a health-based approach to personal drug use has many benefits for individuals and the whole community.
“We’re deeply concerned that Queensland’s Drug Diversion Program is at risk of being revoked before proper evaluation – this would be a huge backwards step in preventing drug harm in the community,” said the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s CEO, Dr Erin Lalor AM.
“Polling at the time of the law change showed that many Queenslanders from the Gold Coast to Cairns were supportive of a health-based response to drug use, including diversion for the personal possession of small amounts of drugs.
“There is also strong and growing national support for health-based approaches to drug use and we know they benefit the whole community by helping to reduce drug-related deaths and disease, stigma, and problematic use.
“For people who do have issues with their drug use, often this has more to do with the other challenges they might be facing. In these situations, our role as a community is to help them with the support they need to be healthy and well.”
“The criminalisation of personal drug use causes stigma and can stop people reaching out for help and support when they need it most,” explained QNADA CEO, Rebecca Lang.
“Rolling back a policy that was diverting people who use drugs for personal use away from the justice system will not see any change in drug use rather it will only see more people moving into our criminal justice system who do not belong there,” said Emma Kill CEO from QuIVAA.
“This change was supported by other health and medical experts, legal groups and the Queensland Police Service and has been in place for more than a year. The LNP must listen to doctors, police and legal experts and retain the laws,” AMA Queensland President, Dr Nick Yim said.
The health and community organisations said it’s critical that the next state government puts the health of Queenslanders first by maintaining laws that are proven to reduce harm and help make communities safer.
-ENDS-
Media contact: Mikayla Wearne, 0430 948 380 or media@adf.org.au.