The Victorian Premier, Jeff Kennett, has given an uncharacteristically moderate response to the report of the Drug Advisory Council, chaired by Professor David Penington.
The report says despite extra resources, greater penalties and greater in-roads to civil liberties over the past two decades, authorities have not cut the supply of drugs. It called for different approaches, notably decriminalisation of marijuana for own use and treatment of heroin addiction as a health problem, not a criminal one. Mr Kennett called on Victorians to tells their MPs what they thought over the next month and that there would be a conscience vote on the issue. Importantly, he did not dismiss the change of policy out of hand. His approach is markedly different from the Federal Minister for Health, Michael Wooldridge, who said he was not optimistic about the proposed ACT heroin trial (to provide heroin under supervision to addicts), because of resistance in Victoria and NSW.
Dr Wooldridge should reassess his view in the light of Mr Kennett’s stand. Clearly, prohibition has not worked and while it continues more young people are being encouraged to use heroin so they become purchasers providing money for supplying addicts or profiteers. Politicians should show leadership on such a critical matter, not put it into the too-hard basket as Dr Wooldridge appears content to do.