Police resources have to focus on traffickers rather than those possesing for personal use. Many of the young people that we work with at Collins Street Baptist Church simply do not believe in this whole enterprise that we call society. They are neither motivated by its promises of reward nor involved in its public discussions. They have literally checked out of this society which by and large has promised them no jobs or future. Tragically, many are checking out of life itself.
Drug abuse becomes an obvious out growth of such a culture of rejection and pain.
Curiously for others their trafficking is reaping huge rewards and makes them some of Victoria's most successful businessmen and women. It is my belief that we need to find a middle road between deterrence and support. It should include full harm minimisation strategies that offer counselling, education and literature to those injecting in needle exchanges and safe houses sometimes called a shooting gallery. Just as the Police agree not to track and prosecute those frequenting needle exchanges these safe house would be also immune. But they need to be tightly and professionally managed.