Oregon has decriminalised all drugs: Should Australia follow suit?

Oregon has become the first US state to decriminalize the personal use of all drugs. The "Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act" will allow people arrested with small amounts of hard drugs to avoid going to trial, and possible jail time, by paying a $100 fine and attending an addiction recovery program.

 

In today's episode we find out how Oregon got here, and how Australia’s drug reform advocates have been pushing for a similar harm minimisation approach here when it comes to drug use and criminal punishments. Our guests today are Kate Chatfield  - Director of Policy with The Justice Collaborative a non-profit advocating law reform in America and Reverend Simon Hansford - Head of the Uniting Church Australia.

 

In today's headlines:

• Donald Trump comes close to admitting Joe Biden won the election
• WA shuts door on South Australia amid hotel quarantine outbreak
• Vaccine factory to be built in Melbourne under $1.8b deal

 

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