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We recognise that the present prohibition policies:
- are not preventing the use and abuse of illegal drugs;
- do not protect our young people, their families or their friends from related tragedy;
- cause unintended harm and limit harm reduction strategies;
- marginalise and stigmatise people in our community;
- work against the application of human rights for dependent drug users; impede the development of beneficial medical applications of illegal drugs;
- put the control of illegal drugs outside the law;
- create the conditions for a black market that enriches criminals and promotes the distribution of the drugs;
- fund terrorist activities; waste enormous economic resources.
Further we resolve to promote:
- activities that raise awareness of the issues;
- activities that will overcome stereotyping and marginalisation;
- education programs that are directed toward reducing harm and minimising abuse; standards and accreditation for drug treatments and interventions;
- provision of adequate and well resourced drug treatments and interventions;
- the important role of families in drug treatment and rehabilitation;
- the search for better drug policies based on evidence;
- cautious and well-researched steps toward changing laws so that they cause less harm;
- removal of criminal sanctions for personal use of currently illegal drugs.
