NSW regresses to the 1930s by ignoring its own Drugs Summit

Mr 1930s ignoring truckloads of evidence
that the War on Drugs has failed.

Oh dear, the NSW Drugs Summit is reportedly getting fractious as experts find themselves ignored by Labor Premier Chris Minns, who declared before it even started that he would not be decriminalising cannabis.

He offered no rationale for his position except to say he had no mandate for it. Such cross-eyed nonsense implies that a government cannot do anything unless it was part of its election pitch – and ignores that the Drugs Summit was part of its election pitch.

To promise this Summit only to ignore its findings is disingenuous to say the least. At least Minns and his minions are not (so far) trotting out the usual dribbling response that  decriminalisation would "send the wrong message".

Minns also ruled out pill-testing before the summit, presumably because he was keen to see more kids die at music festivals after being strip-searched by police. However reports say he might now consider a trial program, ignoring the clear success of such schemes in the ACT and Queensland.

Roadside drug tests are also at issue, with delegates urging that medical cannabis users be treated the same as people using other prescription drugs. Currently a positive Roadside Drug Test does not prove impairment but results in immediate license suspension and prosecution. Among many thousands of people who have lost their transport and their jobs from this law is a Victorian truck driver who testified at an inquiry in his state.

The man, who had a prescription for medical cannabis for chronic pain, tested positive and lost his licence. Unable to drive, he had to sell his truck which was being paid off, and eventually his home – all on the strength of mere presence of cannabis in his body with no evidence of impairment. He now uses addictive but legal opioids for his pain even though they definitely impair driving.

The Victorians have responded to their inquiry by allowing medical cannabis use to be a defence in court after a positive roadside test. Small mercies but streets ahead of NSW. Just how much reality can Minns ignore in his blind addiction to a 1930s prohibition mindset? Ignoring too much stuff only leads to ignorance and a minus political score.