Moving Away from War Against Drugs Brings Enormous Benefits
The global failure of the decades-long war on drugs has resulted in a myriad of issues for jurisdictions that continue to plough resources into enforcement and retain a model which sees addiction as a criminal law problem rather than a...
Drug Seizures May Suggest a Drug War Victory – But the Reality is Very Different
The mainstream media has for many years acted as a vehicle for law enforcement agencies across our nation to market drug raids as a positive step in the decades-long war against drugs. But the fact of the matter is the...
The Futile War on Drugs Continues to Fuel Violent Crime and Endanger the Public
New South Wales police are claiming that recent raids on 20 homes across Sydney in which ‘underworld figures’ are believed to reside has effectively dismantled an alleged organised crime network labelled as ‘The Commission’. However, there are fears the raids...
Drug Supply Charges: Pleading Guilty, Remorse and Rehabilitation Can Significantly Reduce Sentence
A former AFL player has been sentenced to a full term of five years and four months in prison, with a non-parole period of three years, after being sentenced over multiple counts of supplying a prohibited drug as well as...
Defending Drug Charges: Putting the Prosecution to Proof and Raising Available Defences
If you have been charged with a drug offence, it is vital to be aware that each of these offences contains several ‘essential elements’ (or ingredients) which the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt – the prosecution will fail if...
Your Guide To New South Wales LSD (‘Acid’) Laws
Lysergic acid diethylamide, which is also known as LSD or ‘acid’, was the ultimate psychedelic of 1960s counterculture, epitomising the credo of “turn on, tune in, drop out”. However, supplying or even possessing the drug in New South Wales could...
Your Guide To New South Wales MDMA (‘Ecstacy’) Laws
The substance known scientifically as 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine is commonly known as MDMA or ‘ecstasy’. The drug has been around for decades, and remains a popular party drug, particularly amongst young adults. According to the latest national statistics 12.5% of Australians have...
Your Guide to New South Wales Methamphetamine (“Ice”) Laws
Crystal methamphetamine (“meth” or “ice) remains a popular recreational drug in Australia amongst a small but persistent group of users. According to the latest national statistics just under 6% of Australians have used methamphetamine in their lifetime and 1.3% have...
Your Guide to New South Wales Heroin Laws
The use of heroin in Australia peaked in the late 1980s and early 1990s, however there are small but persistent group of users, often from marginalised backgrounds. According to the latest national statistics just over 1% of Australians have used...
Your Guide to New South Wales Cocaine Laws
Cocaine use is on the rise in Australia with the latest national statistics finding 11% of Australians have used cocaine in their lifetime and 4% have used in the past 12 months. Here’s a summary of the laws, penalties and...