In this opinion piece, father of five and Liberal Senator for the ACT, Zed Sesejla, says all parents hope that they raise children who will stay away from drugs and self-harm, but the local ACT Labor-Greens Government want to make changes to drug laws that go against the very instinct of keeping our kids safe:

As all parents know, parenting comes with many stresses and fears. What will my child turn out like? Will they be kind to others? Will they look out for their family and friends? Will they finish school? Will they get a trade? The questions about your child’s future are endless. But all parents hope and pray that they raise children who will stay away from drugs and self-harm. Raise children who will make sound life choices. The government’s job is to support parents and make sure that the best decisions are made to keep our children and our broader society safe.

Unfortunately, the local ACT Labor-Greens Government want to make changes to our drug laws that go against the very instinct of keeping our kids safe. They are close to decriminalising hard drugs such as heroin and ice. This is also the push of the Federal Greens and is supported by Federal Labor MPs, like our local Member Alicia Payne MP.

The Federal Police Commissioner, Reece Kershaw, has been on the record now on multiple occasions warning of the dangers that come with progressing radical drug policy.

Commissioner Kershaw highlighted it comes with increased crime, including domestic violence, assaults, and murder. When reflecting on the effect it would have on the police force, he said: “My view would be that it would be a far more dangerous environment to police … For me it would lead to chaos.” 

We are talking about hard drugs. We are talking about heroin and ice. Substances that initiate ice-fuelled rages that lead to countless abhorrent crimes.

One emergency department nurse and paramedic, Jane, said the effects of ice were unlike any other drugs she had come across in her career. “They are volatile and unpredictable. You think you have them on side and then they can just snap – and you’re being spat at or kicked or threatened to have your throat cut,” she said.

Supporters of these radical changes who often cite overseas experience as the gold standard should heed the warning from the AFP Commissioner.

Commissioner Kershaw has first-hand experience, having spent time as a Senior AFP Officer in countries with more relaxed drug laws. “It creates narco-tourism, meaning all the organised crime decided to set up in those areas,” he said. He warned that “It is going to mean that organised crime will want to target this community in particular”. 

In all decisions governments take, there are flow-on effects for the community. It has always been the case – if you want less of something, tighten regulations or increase taxes. If you want more of something, you do the opposite: decrease regulation or decrease taxes. Why would you decrease regulation if you want less drugs on our streets?  Especially dangerous and addictive substances like ice and heroin.

If you remove fear of legal prosecution, there is little stopping someone dipping their toe in the water to experiment with what are incredibly dangerous and addictive substances.

It will increase drug use amongst young Canberrans. It will make our city less safe, and it is simply not a policy I can support. I’m keen to hear from you on this topic. Please email me via [email protected] or sign my petition at www.zedseselja.com.au/stop_hard_drugs_being_decriminalised

• Zed Seselja is the Liberal Senator for the ACT in federal parliament

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Canberra Daily.

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