Published Monday, 16 July, 2007 at 03:19 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
QUEENSLAND CABINET APPROVES STRONGER DRUG LAWS
State Cabinet today approved proposals to strengthen Queensland’s drug laws providing increased maximum penalties for unlawful possession, supply and trafficking for a range of dangerous drugs.
Premier Peter Beattie said proposed amendments to the Drugs Misuse Act would mean maximum penalties for unlawful possession, supply and trafficking of “ecstasy” (MDMA) and “death” (PMA) would be increased from 20 to 25 years.
Mr Beattie said Valium and Serapax as well as all drugs previously in Schedule 2A of the laws, such as steroids, Rohypnol (known as Flunitrazepam) and ephedrine, would be added to Schedule 2, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ jail for unlawful possession, supply or trafficking.
Under Schedule 2A of the Drugs Misuse Regulation, the maximum penalty is five years jail and two years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession.
Mr Beattie said new offences would also be introduced to assist policing of manufacturing drugs, such as “ice”.
“We will be creating new offence for the supply and production of substances, such as pseudoephedrine, and equipment used in the production of dangerous drugs like pill presses,” he said.
Under Queensland law, dangerous drugs are classified in Schedules and maximum penalties are set according to which Schedule applies the drug involved in the offence.
Attorney-General Mr Kerry Shine said in addition to reclassifying a range of dangerous drugs, the Government will introduce a new concept of “analogue” into the Act.
“It will mean drugs which are not named in the Schedules, but have similar structure and pharmacological effect, will attract the same penalties. Similar provisions already exist in South Australia and the Northern Territory,” Mr Shine said.
Mr Shine said Cabinet had agreed to consider amendments to the existing defence that may apply where a person supplies their prescription drug to another person they believe has the same medical condition.
“We want to ensure this provision is not abused and that the drug is not provided regularly,” he said.
In addition, Cabinet has agreed to work to legislate the current voluntary practice of chemical suppliers to provide information on sales of certain categories of drugs and chemicals.
Mr Shine said the proposals were developed by an interdepartmental working group asked by Cabinet to review the scheduling of dangerous drugs.
The working group included representatives from the departments of Premier and Cabinet, Justice and Attorney-General, Health, Police, Communities as well as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Legal Aid Queensland.
16 July, 2007
Further inquiries: Premier’s Office: 3224 4500
Premier Peter Beattie said proposed amendments to the Drugs Misuse Act would mean maximum penalties for unlawful possession, supply and trafficking of “ecstasy” (MDMA) and “death” (PMA) would be increased from 20 to 25 years.
Mr Beattie said Valium and Serapax as well as all drugs previously in Schedule 2A of the laws, such as steroids, Rohypnol (known as Flunitrazepam) and ephedrine, would be added to Schedule 2, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ jail for unlawful possession, supply or trafficking.
Under Schedule 2A of the Drugs Misuse Regulation, the maximum penalty is five years jail and two years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession.
Mr Beattie said new offences would also be introduced to assist policing of manufacturing drugs, such as “ice”.
“We will be creating new offence for the supply and production of substances, such as pseudoephedrine, and equipment used in the production of dangerous drugs like pill presses,” he said.
Under Queensland law, dangerous drugs are classified in Schedules and maximum penalties are set according to which Schedule applies the drug involved in the offence.
Attorney-General Mr Kerry Shine said in addition to reclassifying a range of dangerous drugs, the Government will introduce a new concept of “analogue” into the Act.
“It will mean drugs which are not named in the Schedules, but have similar structure and pharmacological effect, will attract the same penalties. Similar provisions already exist in South Australia and the Northern Territory,” Mr Shine said.
Mr Shine said Cabinet had agreed to consider amendments to the existing defence that may apply where a person supplies their prescription drug to another person they believe has the same medical condition.
“We want to ensure this provision is not abused and that the drug is not provided regularly,” he said.
In addition, Cabinet has agreed to work to legislate the current voluntary practice of chemical suppliers to provide information on sales of certain categories of drugs and chemicals.
Mr Shine said the proposals were developed by an interdepartmental working group asked by Cabinet to review the scheduling of dangerous drugs.
The working group included representatives from the departments of Premier and Cabinet, Justice and Attorney-General, Health, Police, Communities as well as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Legal Aid Queensland.
16 July, 2007
Further inquiries: Premier’s Office: 3224 4500