POSITIVE CANNABIS MOVE

OPPOSITION Leader Colin Barnett claims that it was "irresponsible in the
extreme" for the WA Government to soften penalties for using and growing
cannabis in the face of evidence of its dangers.

Where is Mr Barnett's evidence that draconian policies actually reduce
cannabis use or harm? We know that such approaches consume a lot of
resources (generously provided by taxpayers) and also cause a lot of
serious collateral damage to otherwise law-abiding citizens. Another side
effect of draconian approaches is to stimulate police corruption. Why is Mr
Barnett not interested in getting tough on the major cause of police
corruption? Does he believe that police corruption is not a problem in WA?

If the Opposition Leader strongly supports cannabis prohibition because
cannabis produces some health problems, why does he not favour prohibition
of tobacco, a drug responsible for the deaths of 19,000 Australians a year?

The WA Government should be congratulated for the modest reforms it has
introduced. These are a step in the right direction.

Dr ALEX WODAK

President, Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation.