Portugal Decriminalised Drugs in 2001 – Should Australia do the same?

Join us at the Melbourne Town Hall as we celebrate ‘Support. Don’t Punish’ day – a global initiative calling for drug policies that prioritise public health and the human rights.

Our police and politicians say we cannot “arrest our way” out of Australia’s drug problem. Then why not get real and decriminalise personal drug use so people can get help if and when they need it?

The forum will feature health professionals, politicians, journalists and community leaders, including Tony Trimingham OAM, CEO of Family Drug Support, Sam Biondo, Head of VAADA and Dr Stefan Gruenert, CEO of Odyssey House Victoria as well drug policy opinion leaders like state MP Fiona Patten who will talk about the recently released Victorian Drug Inquiry and Michael Short, Chief Editorial Writer for The Age.

Let’s have an open and vibrant conversation about Australia’s drug policies including:

• Why it was necessary to establish the North Richmond safe injecting centre
• How substance-specific harm reduction strategies such as pill-testing, saves lives
• The findings of the Victorian Drug Inquiry and the implications for drug policy
• Can decriminalisation solve Australia’s drug problem? 

‘Support. Don’t Punish’ is a global movement that brings attention to the impacts of our drug laws, and calls for drug policies that prioritise public health and the human rights of people who use drugs.

Why June 26?

The Global Day of Action coincides with the UN’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – a day marked by major human rights violations, including public executions for drug offenders. This day is our opportunity to change the narrative – rather than punishing people who use drugs, let’s reform our drug policies to support them.

FULL SPEAKER LIST:

• Tony Trimingham OAM, CEO of Family Drug Support
• Michael Short, Chief Editorial Writer of The Age
• Fiona Patten, Member of the Victorian Drug Inquiry
• Dr Stefan Gruenert, CEO of Odyssey House Victoria
• Sam Biondo, Head of Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA)
• Greg Denham, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
• Stephanie Tzanetis, Head of HRVic’s Dancewize Program
• Nick Kent, President of Students for Sensible Drug Policy

This forum brings together voices and experiences from the Alcohol and Other Drug sector working at the coalface in an awareness campaign for more humane and evidence-based drug policies.

The event starts at 6.00 pm at the Melbourne Town Hall. Come at 5.30 to meet and talk with representatives from various AOD groups who will have tables and information at the back of the room.

Join the speakers for an afternoon tea at 5.30 pm in the elegant Supper room at the Melbourne Town Hall before the meeting. Bookings required.