More than 23,000 people were caught up in the court system for small quantity drug possession last year, a new policy of on-the-spot fines aims to reduce that, but experts say it doesn't go far enough.
New drug laws in New South Wales could keep tens of thousands of people out of court, but may result in an increase in fines, a legal expert says.
NSW Attorney General Michael Daley said the government wanted to see people receive the health supports they needed rather than get caught up in the criminal justice system. However, she was concerned that fines were a "double-edged sword" and there would be more of them issued."What that means is that police may issue a fine without really turning their mind to the legal thresholds in regards to an offence," she said.A spokesperson for Mr Daley said that under the Pre-Court Diversion Scheme, there have been no changes to the Act and Regulation governing the process for issuing penalty notices or penalty notice amounts.
He said stigma was a big reason why people did not access treatment, which was exacerbated by criminalising personal drug use.
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