SMH article/discussion on the Drug Law Reform

[Yeti101]

The Drugs Dilemma

Australians have been debating drug law reform for decades, their thinking influenced by global events, domestic movements and personal tragedies. To understand the current state of the debate, it is instructive to follow the development of the issue through time.

 

Go to http://wikicurve.smh.com.au/ to have your say and see the 'timeline'. You may need to register - but that might be worth it in this case especially once the merchants of moral panic join the fray.

[chnt]

''What is happening to our young that they need to have an altered state of consciousness to enjoy an outing?''

[Darklight]

I'm inherently suspicious of this particular discussion being handled neutrally. This looks like a beatup where they set the stage in advance

In the last 3 days there have been several anti- articles on the front page of the online smh ( I won't pay for the paper, it's rubbish ). This looks like a beatup where they set the stage in advance

http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/no-retreat-in-this-fight-anna-woods-parents-want-zerotolerance-20120520-1yz14.html

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/cannabis-hauls-climb-as-police-decry-soft-image-20120520-1yz0z.html

http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/policies-sending-mixed-messages-20120520-1yz15.html

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/watch-for-drug-labs-coming-to-a-suburb-near-you-say-police/2006/02/18/1140151850795.html

Articles and comments calling for more rational debate occupy much less space. Total I found- 1- published today. Kinda a late attempt to imply balance

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/policy-on-drugs-endangers-youth-20120520-1yys3.html

And a few comments from the public on various linked pages calling for rational debate

Having said all that, go for it if you believe that you can sustain reasonable and coherent argument in the face of lots of entrenched oppostion in an environment that looks suspiciously pre-conditioned

[whitewind]

''What is happening to our young that they need to have an altered state of consciousness to enjoy an outing?''

 

"What is happening to our environment that our young need to have an altered state of consciousness to enjoy an outing?"

Then again, the altered state of consciousness enhances the environment sufficiently enough that it becomes interesting in itself.

[Darklight]

What is happening to our young where present models of drug legislation leave them disenfranchised, disadvantaged, cynical, estranged from public debate and distanced from the political process before they even leave high school? I include us older ppl in this too ;) - we just got to experience it earlier

How many young people are alienated from taking a role in active political processes because their consumption of a particular range of drugs teaches them that they are open to compromise as a result, can have their future roundly circumvented at any future point, and makes them suspect that the people who are making such decisions are not capable of considering their interests or views?

The very nature of prohibition affects the quality of the debate as it restricts the ability to comment without incriminating oneself.

We need the informed involvement of all citizens in public life, the passion and openess of teenagers and young adults to issues that face us all- reguardless of age- is important for growth as a society. If you've alienated a large group of people by the time they're 25, we all lose out.

Early on you learn your opinion doesn't count if you're a 'druggie'. You keep quiet about your consumption. You break a few rules maybe. And even if you change all that later, the very fact that having done this earlier can compromise your ability to achieve- because you 'were' a 'druggie'. it's a permanent stain in many circles. Keeping young people out of this process means there are fewer interested stakeholders undergoing vital training to take part in our future

This is changing- slowly- as more prominent public figures go public on having inhaled/ ingested/ hung out with ppl who do. But don't expect it to change soon

One of the best types of progress in the debate has been the emergence of people seeking working models for prohibition and/ or safe consumption. Some of these debates are clunky and amateurish and a bit painful to watch. But they are very, very necessary

[Darklight]

Clarification: the actual forum may be worth physically attending if you live in SYD and can get to Sydney Uni. Never seen Alex Wodak speak and would love to

But its a fair bet the online Wikicurve at SMH will be mostly rubbish. Happy to be proved wrong tho

[Yeti101]

Unfortunately DL, I am increasingly inclined to agree - the timing of the Nielsen poll that purports to show that 2/3 Australians oppose decriminalisation of drug use seems particularly useful for politicians who are determined to do nothing.

[Francois le Danque]

isnt it nice how when they have an article packed with inaccuracies and police giving health advice, that comments aren't enabled? pretty cool really.

bad journalism aside, does anyone know if it's possible to view/listen to this drugs debate that was held at the university of sydney on the 21st? all the articles talk about it. apparently i could have listened live but since i live perpetually slightly in the past it seems too late.

Edited May 23, 2012 by frank