News (Media Awareness Project) - Australia: Cannabis Offenders Snub Fines |
| Title: | Australia: Cannabis Offenders Snub Fines |
| Published On: | 2007-03-26 |
| Source: | Sunday Times (Australia) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-12 09:43:35 |
CANNABIS OFFENDERS SNUB FINES
CANNABIS offenders are refusing to pay their fines. More than 30
per cent of offenders have ignored fines or refused to complete a
cannabis education session since WA introduced softer cannabis laws
three years ago.
Of 9563 people issued with cannabis infringement notices since then,
4879 were referred to the Fines Enforcement Agency because they didn't
pay fines or attend a one-hour counselling session.
And 3079 of them have escaped scot-free.
With WA football embroiled in one of the biggest drug scandals to hit
the sport, the State Opposition yesterday called on the Government to
scrap "the failed experiment", which was under review.
But Health Minister Jim McGinty claimed the new laws were
working.
Opposition Leader Paul Omodei said soft cannabis laws treated
possession of up to 30g of the drug, and cultivation of up to two
plants, no more seriously than a parking fine.
"Given the scandal that's rocked the AFL this week, Alan Carpenter
must send a very clear message to the community that drugs can destroy
lives," Mr Omodei said.
"Labor's claim that these laws would divert more people into treatment
is tenuous and these statistics are just further proof that their soft
stance on drugs is way off the mark.
"If the penalties were treated seriously, offenders caught under a new
system would pay up or attend the education session.
"How can we teach children and young people about the dangers of
illicit drug use when we have such soft laws with respect to cannabis,
a drug seen as a gateway to harder drugs?
"There is growing evidence of a link between cannabis use and the
incidence of severe mental health problems.
"Alan Carpenter must stop sending the wrong message to the community,
particularly kids, that it is OK to smoke pot."
Under WA law, people caught with 30g or less of cannabis, two
marijuana plants or a smoking implement have a choice of paying a fine
of up to $200 or attending counselling.
A three-year review of cannabis legislation is expected to be tabled
in parliament in November.
CANNABIS offenders are refusing to pay their fines. More than 30
per cent of offenders have ignored fines or refused to complete a
cannabis education session since WA introduced softer cannabis laws
three years ago.
Of 9563 people issued with cannabis infringement notices since then,
4879 were referred to the Fines Enforcement Agency because they didn't
pay fines or attend a one-hour counselling session.
And 3079 of them have escaped scot-free.
With WA football embroiled in one of the biggest drug scandals to hit
the sport, the State Opposition yesterday called on the Government to
scrap "the failed experiment", which was under review.
But Health Minister Jim McGinty claimed the new laws were
working.
Opposition Leader Paul Omodei said soft cannabis laws treated
possession of up to 30g of the drug, and cultivation of up to two
plants, no more seriously than a parking fine.
"Given the scandal that's rocked the AFL this week, Alan Carpenter
must send a very clear message to the community that drugs can destroy
lives," Mr Omodei said.
"Labor's claim that these laws would divert more people into treatment
is tenuous and these statistics are just further proof that their soft
stance on drugs is way off the mark.
"If the penalties were treated seriously, offenders caught under a new
system would pay up or attend the education session.
"How can we teach children and young people about the dangers of
illicit drug use when we have such soft laws with respect to cannabis,
a drug seen as a gateway to harder drugs?
"There is growing evidence of a link between cannabis use and the
incidence of severe mental health problems.
"Alan Carpenter must stop sending the wrong message to the community,
particularly kids, that it is OK to smoke pot."
Under WA law, people caught with 30g or less of cannabis, two
marijuana plants or a smoking implement have a choice of paying a fine
of up to $200 or attending counselling.
A three-year review of cannabis legislation is expected to be tabled
in parliament in November.
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