Agony over Ecstasy

I haven’t yet written a background blog to my latest Fairfax Feature, Dancing With Molly.  If you happen to have come to my page as a result of that article, please have a quick look at a couple of relevant earlier posts:

Crap analysis shows wee problem with tough ecstasy laws – what happens when resources are directed into cracking down on MDMA? You create a crystal meth problem.

Why politicians and law enforcement should embrace Silk Road – to me, this is a microcosm of what life might be like with legalised drugs.  Knowledge of what is in the drugs you are buying, cutting out drug-related crime in Australia (though sadly still propping it up overseas), eradication of violence arising from drug deals.

I hope to see an intelligent debate on drug reform in Australia.  The fine folk at Australia21 must be incredibly frustrated to see their hard work and extensive knowledge ignored by the major parties.

6 Responses

  1. What a relief it was to read your article. I feel as i am talking to a brick wall when trying to point out the harm that the “War on Drugs” is doing to our young.
    I was doing ecstacy back in the day when you there was no need to test! Quality was consistent and our sub-culture tended to “look after their own”. Now, not even testing can tell you what is in a pill and this has led a younger generation straight to crystal meth. Brilliant!
    One of the biggest problems is that the youth from mainstream society, with their alcohol-fuelled behaviours have taken to drugs as if they were downing slabs of beer! Catastrophe! But there is no one to teach them. Just a bunch of adults telling them do this don’t do that.
    I could go on and on…………………..
    Thanks for your article and please drop me a line if there is anything i could add to help the cause.
    best wishes,
    M

  2. Thank you for such a sensible article, a great summary of ‘field of battle’ in the war on drugs. The historical basis of most prohibition laws are also of great concern. Australia’s first drug law against smokeable forms of opium was found under an immigration law. The basis of the great prohibition laws in the USA were primarily founded on class and race. I’ll be blogging and podcasting about drug use and policy from next year. I’ll drop you a line when I get set up.
    Thanks Again.
    Ash.

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