We recognise that the present prohibition policies

Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform

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We recognise that the present prohibition policies:

are not preventing the use and abuse of illegal drugs;

do not protect our young people, their families or their friends from related tragedy;

cause unintended harm and limit harm reduction strategies;

marginalise and stigmatise people in our community;

work against the application of human rights for dependent drug users;

impede the development of beneficial medical applications of illegal drugs;

put the control of illegal drugs outside the law;

create the conditions for a black market that enriches criminals and promotes the distribution of the drugs;

fund terrorist activities;

waste enormous economic resources.

Further we resolve to promote:

activities that raise awareness of the issues;

activities that will overcome stereotyping and marginalisation;

education programs that are directed toward reducing harm and minimising abuse;

standards and accreditation for drug treatments and interventions;

provision of adequate and well resourced drug treatments and interventions;

the important role of families in drug treatment and rehabilitation;

the search for better drug policies based on evidence;

cautious and well-researched steps toward changing laws so that they cause less harm;

removal of criminal sanctions for personal use of currently illegal drugs.