Greens on Ice

Letter to the Editor, Inner West Courier.

Re “Deal Goes Icy”, Inner West Courier, 20/3/7.

I am concerned at the impression created in this article that the Greens somehow condone drug and substance abuse, including ‘ice’. This is untrue. Our policy has been misrepresented by recent media reports and our political opponents.

The Greens recognise drug and substance abuse to be a serious social problem with a toll on users’ mental and physical health, as well as crime and corruption in the community. Our policies are designed to tackle this problem in the most effective way.

The Greens do not propose the ‘legalisation’ of drugs; we have a firm position on appropriate penalties for the illegal manufacture and distribution of drugs.

Perhaps the most discussed part of our policy is in the treatment of drug users and addicts. Imprisonment for users and addicts (prohibition) is inhumane, counterproductive and absurd. What these people need is treatment and rehabilitation, and that is what our policy states. Education on the dangers of substance abuse is also important.

Experts in the field commend Greens policy as a superior alternative to existing policies. Various parts of Greens policy are already in place and funded at both State and Commonwealth level, but at election time the major parties prefer to ignore the realities and promote cruel positions.

Detail on Greens’ drug policy can be found here:

http://www.nsw.greens.org.au/campaigns/the-facts-on-the-greens-drugs-policy

http://www.nsw.greens.org.au/policies/summaries/drugs-and-harm-minimisation

http://www.nsw.greens.org.au/policies/drugs-and-harm-minimisation