Published Thursday, 14 February, 2008 at 06:19 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Tougher Drug Laws Introduced
People caught possessing, supplying or trafficking drugs will now face longer maximum penalties under laws passed by State Parliament, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said today.
“The Drugs Misuse Amendment Bill 2007 reclassifies the Schedule 2 drugs ‘ecstacy’ (MDMA) and ‘death’ (PMA) to Schedule 1, which means the maximum penalties for the unlawful possession, supply and trafficking of these drugs will increase from 20 to 25 years, “ Mr Shine said.
“We are determined to fight the increase in drug use in our society and these laws provide a serious deterrent to anyone thinking of becoming involved in the illegal drug trade.”
Mr Shine said the Bill also introduces new offences to assist in the prosecution of people illegally manufacturing drugs, such as ‘ice’.
“New offences have been created for the supply and production of substances, such as pseudo ephedrine and for the possession of equipment used in the production of dangerous drugs such as pill presses,” he said.
“We have also introduced a new concept called ‘analogue’ which means that drugs not named in the schedules of the Drugs Misuse Act, but which have a similar structure pharmacological effect, will attract the same penalties as drugs that are in the schedules.”
Mr Shine said the Bill also adds Valium and Sarapax as well as all drugs previously in Schedule 2A of the laws, including steroids, Rohypnol (known as Flunitrazepam) and ephedrine to Schedule 2.
“The maximum penalty for the unlawful possession, supply or trafficking of Schedule 2 drugs is 20 year’s imprisonment.”
“When these drugs were listed under schedule 2A the maximum penalty for their supply or trafficking was five years jail, while possessing these drugs carried a maximum of two years imprisonment, so we have dramatically increased the penalties for those offences,” Mr Shine said.
Mr Shine said the new laws reflect the Government’s determination to rid Queensland of the dangerous drugs that ruin so many lives.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273
“The Drugs Misuse Amendment Bill 2007 reclassifies the Schedule 2 drugs ‘ecstacy’ (MDMA) and ‘death’ (PMA) to Schedule 1, which means the maximum penalties for the unlawful possession, supply and trafficking of these drugs will increase from 20 to 25 years, “ Mr Shine said.
“We are determined to fight the increase in drug use in our society and these laws provide a serious deterrent to anyone thinking of becoming involved in the illegal drug trade.”
Mr Shine said the Bill also introduces new offences to assist in the prosecution of people illegally manufacturing drugs, such as ‘ice’.
“New offences have been created for the supply and production of substances, such as pseudo ephedrine and for the possession of equipment used in the production of dangerous drugs such as pill presses,” he said.
“We have also introduced a new concept called ‘analogue’ which means that drugs not named in the schedules of the Drugs Misuse Act, but which have a similar structure pharmacological effect, will attract the same penalties as drugs that are in the schedules.”
Mr Shine said the Bill also adds Valium and Sarapax as well as all drugs previously in Schedule 2A of the laws, including steroids, Rohypnol (known as Flunitrazepam) and ephedrine to Schedule 2.
“The maximum penalty for the unlawful possession, supply or trafficking of Schedule 2 drugs is 20 year’s imprisonment.”
“When these drugs were listed under schedule 2A the maximum penalty for their supply or trafficking was five years jail, while possessing these drugs carried a maximum of two years imprisonment, so we have dramatically increased the penalties for those offences,” Mr Shine said.
Mr Shine said the new laws reflect the Government’s determination to rid Queensland of the dangerous drugs that ruin so many lives.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273