Well, when I first read this below News headline and story, all I could think of was cannabis shops and cafes like in Amsterdam
I'm not sure what a state of Australia
Does it mean doctors start prescribing it, so it’s regulated and controlled?? That in turn could put a lot of pressure on doctors to prescribe it and some doctors will get the reputation amongst users pretty quickly, much like those who prescribe benzos like lollies now. Then the pharmacies have to agree to stock the the drugs as there are few who will currently do the Methadone Programme, let alone Ecstasy and Cannabis.
Does it mean doctors start prescribing it, so it’s regulated and controlled?? That in turn could put a lot of pressure on doctors to prescribe it and some doctors will get the reputation amongst users pretty quickly, much like those who prescribe benzos like lollies now. Then the pharmacies have to agree to stock the the drugs as there are few who will currently do the Methadone Programme, let alone Ecstasy and Cannabis.
Will young people go to the doctor and ask for Ecstasy when planning a night out, or will they still go to their friends for them? If they are using it for a party drug rather than being addicted to the drug, where will they gain access to it from? Do I want my kids having access to these drugs at 16 years old?
Does decriminalising also mean you can grow or manufacture your own at home (like with homebrew), as long as you don’t sell it?
Who knows how it would actually look, or if it would really work! There are already mixed opinions on whether the Methadone Programme has actually helped with opiate addiction or whether such people ever get clean when they have easy continual access to it. Plus isn't addiction, as much about what caused the dependence, learning new ways of coping, and changing behaviours, as the actual drug itself.? At least that's the angle AA & NA take.
What I don't really get, is why trial it in the NT when we haven't managed to control our huge alcohol issue yet and where ecstasy is not even an issue (other than with tourists). Why not trial it in Victoria
Whatever happens, I can already see the drug companies rubbing their hands together. We'll be replacing one criminal for a different sort of one, I guess.
This is the news article from the NT News:
By: NICOLE MILLS | September 13th, 2012
THE Territory could become the first jurisdiction to legalise cannabis after a renewed push from a peak health body.
Australian Medical Association NT president Dr Peter Beaumont called for the decriminalisation of cannabis and ecstasy to be trialled in the NT."We definitely have to do something different to limit the damage caused to people because of these drugs," he said. "There's a lot of evidence that (decriminalisation) could help."
His comments came after thinktank Australia21 released a report recommending governments supplied drugs to users.
The report says Australia would be better placed to help people with drug problems if they got rid of the illegal trade.
It also recommended diverting money from law enforcement to social treatments and safe injecting rooms.
But Dr Beaumont said the plan relied on health resources that the Territory did not have.
"The model depends on decriminalising ecstasy and cannabis and having an alternative method of supply," he said.
"And having a system for people to come off these drugs. There just aren't the resources available in the Territory to do that."
He called on governments to do a "closed controlled trial".
"If it's proven to be beneficial, then roll it out," he said.
Dr Beaumont said cannabis had been linked to depression and suicide and those risks would also have to be considered.
It also recommended diverting money from law enforcement to social treatments and safe injecting rooms.
But Dr Beaumont said the plan relied on health resources that the Territory did not have.
"The model depends on decriminalising ecstasy and cannabis and having an alternative method of supply," he said.
"And having a system for people to come off these drugs. There just aren't the resources available in the Territory to do that."
He called on governments to do a "closed controlled trial".
"If it's proven to be beneficial, then roll it out," he said.
Dr Beaumont said cannabis had been linked to depression and suicide and those risks would also have to be considered.
And this is some of the reasoning behind it from the Victorian branch of the Australian Medical Association who back it also:
No comments:
Post a Comment