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Stop the War on Drug Users

On 7 March 2002, TUF held  a rally to stop the war on drug users.  For a copy of the poster advertising the rally, click here.  For a copy of the petition we are circulating, click here.

Please note that the information below is of archival interest only at this stage.  The rally has taken place and TUF is evaluating our achievements to date and planning a way forward in this important issue.

One important outcome of the rally was the establishment of the Network Against Prohibition.

STOP "STOP PRESS"

The 'Transport' mentioned below in "Stop Press" was cancelled by the Chancellor at 11.30am - fifteen minutes before the bus was to leave.  Free speech?  Not in this town.

Rally Info

Many drug users were relieved at the election of a Labor Government in the NT after over 2 decades of a zero tolerance approach to currently illicit substances by the Country Liberal Party (CLP). This relief has been short-lived.

With the new government in power, things have actually got worse for drug users and their families. The Methadone Reduction Program has been closed down, leaving the NT as the only State/Territory in Australia that does not have an operational methadone program.

At the same time, the new government has announced that they will introduce a broad raft of legislation in the May 2002 sittings of parliament to "tackle drug taking and drug dealing wherever it is occurring in our community."

Other knee-jerk measures proposed by the government include compulsory treatment for drug "addicts" convicted of an offence, asset confiscation legislation and a curfew and uniformed night patrol to target young people.

One positive move by the government has been the establishment of a Ministerial Taskforce on Illicit Drugs. TUF has one representative on this taskforce, which will be looking at the scope of drug use in the Territory and the treatments that could be made available.

Although TUF supports the establishment of the taskforce, we have two main concerns:

• Methadone maintenance treatment and other Commonwealth approved pharmacotherapies should be made available immediately. There is ample evidence from Australia and around the world to support this. Drug users lives are on the line while there are not a range of treatments and services available for dependency, and
• The "drug house" legislation is being implemented before the outcome of the Taskforce is known. Why does the Government need a taskforce if it has already decided what measures it is going to take towards illicit drugs?  To see why TUF opposes the drug house legislation - click here.

For these reasons, TUF has launched itself into a campaign against these attacks on the human rights of drug users. On the 28th of February, TUF held a community meeting where a broad range of community groups and organisations offered their support to the ongoing campaign.

As the next step, TUF has called a community rally to be held on Thursday the 7th of March, 2002 at 12.30pm on the steps of Parliament House, Darwin.

To get involved or to be kept up to date on the campaign for drug user rights contact TUF.

Other ways you can support TUF's continuing campaign are:

1. Call Talkback radio and express your support for TUF's campaign and mention that you will be going to the community rally at parliament house;
2. Print out our petition, collect signatures and return it to TUF, PO Box 835, Parap, NT 0804 by 31 May 2002.

For further info on how you can be involved in the struggle for the rights of drug users, click here.

STOP PRESS

Transport Available from NTU

There will be a 22-seater bus departing the NTU basketball courts at 11.45am on Thursday the 7th of March, traveling to Parliament House and departing Parliament House at 2pm, returning to the Uni. All welcome.

Artists/Performers urgently required

As this is a community rally, we are seeking expressions of interest from local performers/singers/poets/clowns/jugglers etc to help keep a positive atmosphere at the rally.

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