Tasmania’s peak alcohol and drug body is pushing for the state to follow the ACT’s lead on drug decriminalisation, a move the state government has flatly ruled out.
The Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Council Tasmania says an independent evaluation of the ACT’s decriminalisation laws, released last week, shows the policy is working.
ATDC director of policy and impact Claire Ripper said around 70% of people caught with drugs for personal use in the ACT were being diverted away from the justice system and into the health system.
“This frees up police, courts and correctional resources to focus on more serious offences, while connecting people with health and support services that are better placed to address alcohol and other drug issues,” she said.
The evaluation also found the changes had not led to so-called “drug tourism” or increases in drug use or supply.
Ripper said the ATDC wanted Tasmania to remove criminal penalties for people found with small amounts of illicit drugs for personal use.
She said research commissioned by the council in 2024 showed 85% of Tasmanians backed a similar model, where people caught with small quantities were referred to treatment and education programs instead.
“Only 4% of Tasmanians surveyed said they supported a prison sentence for possession of illicit drugs,” she said.
“Put simply, decriminalisation will reduce costs. Criminalisation often causes harms that extend far beyond drug use itself, including barriers to employment, housing, education and healthcare.”
Ripper said criminalising personal use and possession also creates “enormous stigma”.
“Discrimination acts as a barrier for people who may wish to seek treatment and support for what is a primarily a health issue,” she said.
Health Minister Bridget Archer, in a statement to Pulse, shut the door on the idea.
“We won’t be decriminalising illicit drugs, which cause significant harm in our community,” Archer said.
“Our focus remains on harm minimisation and supporting actions under the three pillars of supply, demand and harm reduction, to reduce the risk of overdose, injury and death.”
