Coroner’s findings proof that policing the war on drugs unwinnable and damaging 8 November 2019

Today’s Coroners Court findings make it clear the aggressive ongoing police war against young people and the music industry is damaging and unwinnable.

A key finding was that drug detection dogs don’t work to limit supply of illegal drugs but likely do encourage risky behaviour like pre-loading or panic ingestion. This must spell the end of the drug dog program and police as responders to drugs rather than medical professionals.

The coroner has recommended the Government give "full and genuine consideration" to "decriminalising personal use of drugs, as a mechanism to reduce the harm caused by drug use".

Greens MP and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge said:

“Over the last 10 years police have continued to intensify their activities at music festivals with drug dogs, strip searches and an oppressive presence now the norm. No one is safer because of this.

“This has done nothing to stem the use of illegal drugs, and has meant that young people were placed at greater risk than was necessary.

“Police have responded with massive increases in strip searches of patrons at music festivals, traumatising thousands of young people with no identified impact on drug supply.

“Aggressive policing is making things worse, no young person feels safe seeking medical attention if police are watching the medical tents.

“More drug dogs and more strip searches is the worst possible answer, and the Premier needs to stand up to the Police Minister and Commissioner and put sensible harm minimization into place.

“Fewer police, more ambulance staff and peer to peer support would be a start to ensure this summer festival season is a safer one,” Mr Shoebridge said.

Lets get real about pill testing

Let’s get real about pills. The war on drugs has failed and, every year, young Australians lose their lives after taking dangerous pills. The reality is that people will always choose to use drugs - in fact, almost half of all adults have used pills or party drugs.

If pill testing is in place at music festivals then lives will be saved

If pill testing and other harm minimisation measures are in place at music festivals then lives will be saved .

The deaths of two young people at a music festival last weekend were tragic, especially so because those deaths were preventable.
We can and we must end the war on drugs and save lives this summer. Policing has not, and will not, stop some young people choosing to take drugs.

With pill testing, amnesty bins and peer to peer support we can save lives this summer festival season.

Sign the petition and join our campaign here.

Your support will help us build pressure on the Liberal-National Government to adopt harm-minimasation strategies that we know will save lives.
 
Thanks for your support,
Greens NSW MPs David Shoebridge and Cate Faehrmann