DRUG LAWS SUCCESSFUL

Territory Justice Minister Peter Toyne copped plenty of flak last year
when he introduced the Government's tough new drug laws.

Much of the criticism came from a vocal minority who believed the laws
would encroach on their freedom.

The legal system also bridled at the changes, claiming the laws would
unfairly target drug users, ignore the source of supply and breach the
civil liberties of Territorians.

But almost 18 months on, the Government can claim to have silenced the
critics.

While police will always take an interest in low-level drug use, they
appear also to be catching the major players.

The weekend's bust at an amphetamine factory at Winnellie was one of
the largest so far.

Along the way, the Government has established a drugs court that deals
exclusively with drug-related crime and delivers sentences based on
the potential for rehabilitiation.

And tougher laws to allow authorities to confiscate the proceeds of
crime have hit drug dealers where it hurts most - their bank balances.

Ultimately the Government hoped its tougher drug laws would result in
a reduction in property crime.

It will be several more years before we can measure the impact on
those crimes.

But early indications in relation to property offences appear
encouraging.

Dr Toyne and the ALP deserve credit for ignoring the please of a vocal
minority and turning attention to the big boys in the drug trade.

It now remains with the police to continue the good work.