Call for controversial illicit drug trial in NSW

Speaking at an international conference in Melbourne on Sunday, Jackson said NSW should take a look at controversial policing tactics such as strip searches and drug-detection dogs — adding the state’s current laws were “ruining families”.

Jackson emphasised that NSW is behind other states in drug reform and that both sides of parliament should support a trial of this policy.

“This reform is supported by medical experts, the industry and perhaps most importantly, the families of the young people who have tragically died because our current drug laws are not working,” she said.

She added that NSW should “get our state back on track in exploring evidence-based policies that recognise problematic drug use is best managed as a health issue, not a criminal justice one”.

“This reform is supported by medical experts, the industry and perhaps most importantly, the families of the young people who have tragically died.”

Jackson’s position on drug reform contradicts Premier Chris Minns’ cautious approach to drug law reform, which could create an early division within the new government.

Despite Minns’ previous call for Labor to debate legalising cannabis, he is now dismissive of any attempts to reform drug laws within his government.

“I think people understand that government policy decision is made by the cabinet and the leadership of the NSW Labor Party,” he said.

“We’ll make the decision about drug law reform and any other policy changes in NSW. MPs are entitled to their view but it’s collective decision-making.”

Nonetheless, Jackson’s comments reveal the significant support for drug law reform within the new cabinet, as she and transport minister Jo Haylen were among the parliamentary patrons of the NSW Labor for Drug Law Reform during the last parliamentary term.

“When we sort through the evidence that has been laid out for us by experts, all signs point to decriminalisation. We cannot arrest our way out of the problem,” Haylen said last year.

In February, Queensland allowed pill testing to be offered across the state to “reduce risks and harms associated with illicit drug use”.

The Palaszczuk Government made the groundbreaking announcement at 9am on Saturday, following the success the ACT has experienced from a similar program.

Like in Canberra, Queensland’s health authorities will offer two different type of pill testing services.

One will be permanently available in a central hub of Brisbane. It’s understood that this will be rolled out at an existing needle exchange in the inner-city, The Australian reported.

The second option will be a mobile pill testing facility which will be made available during music festivals across the state.

In an important disclaimer, the government announcement pointed out that police powers “remain the same” and testing does not take away from police powers related to offences of illicit drug possession, supply and trafficking which remain the same.