Normalisation of drugs means decriminalisation of drugs…right?
With drugs becoming so ‘normal’ and the criminal justice system becoming overburdened, particularly with low level offences, decriminalisation of illicit substances has been a hot topic for some time. The decriminalisation of drugs is different to legalisation - it means that if caught with illicit drugs (under a certain amount), rather than criminal charges, you will just be hit with a fine, just like a speeding ticket when you speed. This is different to being legalised as drugs (like speeding) is still very much illegal. From a criminology perspective, decriminalising illicit substances means that not only is there a lot of burden taken off of the criminal justice system, but people will also no longer face issues with employment for example, due to minor drug offences being next to their name.
42% of respondents to our study in Canberra said that drugs should be decriminalised and 4% said that it should be dependent on certain drugs. Just the other day, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) announced that from October 2023, small amounts of commonly used illicit drugs will be decriminalised, making the ACT the first jurisdiction to do this in Australia! The focus of the change is to make the normalisation of drug use a health response, not a criminal one, from the government. You can read more about this on the ABC website.
The decriminalisation of these drugs lessens their stigmas in turn which aids individuals talking out about their drug use and helps to strengthen one's bond to society as discussed in yesterday's post. The outcomes of decriminalisation can be seen below.
41.7% of respondents said that drugs should be decriminalised, whereas 25% said no and 29.2% said not sure. 4.2% said that it should be dependent on certain drugs.
Today the ACT announced that from October 2023 small amounts of certain drugs will be decriminalised.
42% of respondents to our study in Canberra said that drugs should be decriminalised and 4% said that it should be dependent on certain drugs. Just the other day, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) announced that from October 2023, small amounts of commonly used illicit drugs will be decriminalised, making the ACT the first jurisdiction to do this in Australia! The focus of the change is to make the normalisation of drug use a health response, not a criminal one, from the government. You can read more about this on the ABC website.
The decriminalisation of these drugs lessens their stigmas in turn which aids individuals talking out about their drug use and helps to strengthen one's bond to society as discussed in yesterday's post. The outcomes of decriminalisation can be seen below.
41.7% of respondents said that drugs should be decriminalised, whereas 25% said no and 29.2% said not sure. 4.2% said that it should be dependent on certain drugs.
Today the ACT announced that from October 2023 small amounts of certain drugs will be decriminalised.
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