About us
- In spite of intensive efforts to interdict supply illicit drugs are readily available in the prison
- Syringes currently find their way into the prison and are shared
- NSP programs reduce the spread of blood borne viruses
- Health services available outside the prison should also be available to those incarcerated
- Prisoners are sent to jail as punishment not for additional punishment
- Prisoners should be released from prison at least as healthy as when they entered
- The safety and health of prison officers will be improved
- Overseas countries have successfully adopted NSPs in prisons
- Homelessness reduced to 1%
- Unemployment reduced from 73% to 44%
- Illicit drug use reduced § Health of individuals improved
- Serious property offences reduced by 98%
- Other property offences reduced by 88%
- Selling soft drugs reduced by 70%
- Selling hard drugs reduced by 91%,
Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform was formed as a direct result of heroin related deaths in the Australian Capital Territory. It believes that prohibition laws are more the problem than the solution. It seeks alternate laws and policies that substantially reduce the deaths and minimise the health and social harm to ussers family and society.
FFDLR believes society should help people come through any drug using experience alive and as healthy as possible. In other words FFDLR is about promotion of life and wellbeing. This is more important than being "drug free".
Campaigns
It is time to reopen the national debate about drug use, its regulation and control
Australia 21 has released a report entitled "The prohibition of illicit drugs is killing and criminalising our children and we are all letting it happen".
The report states in clear terms that the present prohibition drug laws have failed and it is time to reopen the debate.
The report was written following a round table discussion attended by health experts, former members of parliament, a former AFP commissioner, a former Director of Prosecution and QC, academics, family members and young people.
Download a copy of the report by clicking the image of the report: 
Media Release by FFDLR: Open debate for better drug laws needed High level Australia 21 report supported
Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform strongly supports and endorses the Australia 21 report of its high level roundtable that calls for an open debate on Australia's prohibition drug policy.
....
"Criminal syndicates and corrupt officials, who run this hugely profitable black market trade, are the result of prohibition laws. Governments pour money into law enforcement, yet more than 75 percent of the drugs are consumed undetected. Only small change is given to the more effective health based options. Our young people are easy targets for both the drug trade and law enforcement. Prohibition drug laws do not protect our children," said McConnell.
"Governments and members of parliaments make those prohibition laws and they must be held responsible for the collateral damage that those laws cause", said McConnell. "They must evaluate the laws that they have supported. It is time for governments and members of parliaments to overcome their fear of debating failed drug policies. It is now time to end the procrastination and inaction".
Read the full media release here >>
Petition for a public debate about drug laws and policies
On Thursday 17 November Marion McConnell on behalf of FFDLR presented a petition of over 300 signatures to Amanda Bresnan, Greens member for Brindabella, for tabling in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
When handing over the petition she said:
"Our prohibition drug laws were never based on evidence or research but rather on false morality, racial prejudice and international pressure.
"It is incumbent on our lawmakers to realise their full responsibility in all the actions they take, or don’t take, and all the possible flow on consequences. Politicians must realise how important their actions are in what happens to families and the whole of society through their decisions on drug policy.
"In all these years since my son died I have not swayed from this conviction that our drug laws are unjust. It is the young and vulnerable who are sacrificed while the multi billion-dollar illegal drug industry continues to flourish.
"The possibilities flowing from it could be quite significant. It could contribute to saving lives, reducing social costs, reducing crime and corruption, and save the ACT budget significant sums of money."
Read the full text here>>
You may also be interested in....
FFDLR's 16th Annual Remembrance Ceremony for 'those who lose their lives to illicit drugs' is now on YouTube here>>>
The Beckley Foundation's Global initiative for Drug Policy Reform which also has a petition addressed to Ban Ki Moon and all Heads of State saying: "We call on you to end the war on drugs and the prohibition regime, and move towards a system based on criminalisation, regulation, public health and education. This 50 year old policy has failed, fuels violent organised crime, devastates lives and is costing billions. It is time for a humane and effective approach."
Review of Portugal's drug decriminalisation
In 2001 Portugal decriminalised all drugs including heroin and cocaine. There were many who predicted adverse outcomes such as rampant drug use, high rates of drug tourism, increased addiction and related illnesses. However some eight years later, none of these predictions have eventuated.
Dr Caitlin Hughes presented at a Public Meeting Thurs 17 Nov 2011, 12:30pm
ACT Legislative Assembly. The title of her talk was "What can we learn
from the Portuguese decriminalisation of illicit drugs. Find the PowerPoint presentation here >>> and the news release from the UNSW National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre here >>>.
FFDLR supports introduction of a needle and syringe program (NSP) in the ACT prison for the following reasons:
Read
opinion piece here>>
Read
editorial in August 2011 Newsletter here>>
Read
about international experience here>>
The Public Health Association of Australia was commissioned to say how it could be done.
Read report here>>>
The ACT government asked for submissions on the PHAA report. Read some reports here>>>
Regulating drugs - does it work?
Here is what happened when just one illegal drug was regulated and controlled:
and this approach saved money. Read more here>>>
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