Attorney-General Mark Speakman proposes a $400 fine for people caught with drugs for personal use as state government responds to 'ice' inquiry.
People caught in NSW with illicit drugs for personal use would get a $400 fine or undergo health treatment instead of facing court, under a new plan from Attorney-General Mark Speakman.Mark Speakman supports trial of "pre-court drug diversion" program for personal use offencesThe state government is considering how to respond to an inquiry into drug use in NSW
The Attorney-General says he supports trialling a "pre-court drug diversion" program that gives police the discretion to issue $400 fines to illicit drug users. It was one of the recommendations in the report, but the inquiry put forward that there should be a maximum of three infringement notices before it escalates.The plan is yet to be decided on by cabinet.
The government's response to the ice inquiry has been contentious in cabinet in the past, where disagreements caused the process to stall in December 2020.