Over the weekend, The ACT’s new legislation decriminalizing drugs for personal use came into effect.

Under the new legislation, anyone found with small quantities of illicit drugs will be subject to fines or diverted to health education, rather than face criminal charges.

Health advocates are urging the ACT government to go one step further and wipe the criminal records of people convicted with possession of illicit substances.

National Radio News Director Frank Bonaccorso, spoke to Executive Director of the Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy, Chris Gough, about his own struggles with addiction and why decriminalization is a move in the right direction. 

Image: Image: Pexels/ Pixabay

Produced By: Frank Bonaccorso

Featured In Story: Chris Gough, Executive Director- Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy

First aired on The Wire, Monday 30 October 2023