On Friday September 4, the government announced plans to ban synthetic drugs and authorised Border Force to seize chemicals with a 'psycho-active' effect and no 'legitimate' use[1]. This plan seems to be a carbon copy of a similar ban in the UK that has already been criticised for its potentially harmful effects on medical research into areas such as Parkinson's disease and anti-smoking solutions[2]. Such a ban could also stymie research into safer alternatives to more harmful substances.  This wrong headed approach is typical of the crazy, ever escalating "war on drugs", which has long been shown to be a complete failure.  A new approach needs to be taken to reduce the harm caused by drugs, and the associated problems caused by prohibition.

"It seems the only way this government deals with any issue is to make more and more draconian laws.  They are not only utterly bereft of imagination or nuance on any issue, but they only know how to appeal to base instincts and simplistic non-solutions that look tough, but achieve little," said Michelle Allen, Pirate Party candidate for the Canning By-election. "Prohibition only works to create black markets and organised crime as otherwise decent, law abiding people are turned into criminals for preferring to consume different substances to alcohol."

In 2001, Portugal de-criminalised all drugs and has since seen a sharp decline in addiction, drug related deaths and costs associated with drug use; both in terms of health costs and policing costs[3].

"Drug addiction is a health issue, not a law and order issue. Portugal is a prime example of what can be achieved if governments recognise this and treat users as patients rather than criminals. The drug war is an abysmal failure. It costs the country billions and does nothing to stop drug use. If the major parties wanted to reduce drug use and drug-related crime, and reduce the harm that drug users and their families suffer, they should stop the war on drugs now," Ms Allen continued.

Pirate Party Australia advocates for decriminalisation of all illegal drugs when the quantity is small enough to be considered to be for personal use. Marijuana would be legalised, strictly regulated and taxed, with tax revenue going back into prevention and health strategies. Other drugs would be made available to addicts with prescriptions to ensure drug quality and safety. The full policy text can be found here: https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Policies/Drugs

"Pirate Party Australia offers up an alternative to the politics of fear and persecution favoured by both major Parties. Our drug policy is just one example of a different approach to politics, one that looks for real solutions to social problems, one based on evidence and a belief in civil liberties and human rights. I am proud to represent that alternative to the people of Canning," she concluded.

[1] http://www.minister.border.gov.au/peterdutton/2015/Pages/radical-overhaul-to-ban-importation-of-synthetic-drugs.aspx
[2] http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/may/29/psychoactive-substances-ban-end-brain-research-britain-david-nutt
[3] http://mic.com/articles/110344/14-years-after-portugal-decriminalized-all-drugs-here-s-what-s-happening