ACT police are being put through an attitudinal shift ahead of drug decriminalisation. 

With the forthcoming decriminalisation of drug possession in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), police officers patrolling nightlife areas are now expected to witness drug use.

The Drugs of Dependence (Personal Possession) Amendment Act, passed almost a year ago in the ACT Legislative Assembly, is set to take effect from October 28, 2023. 

This legislation will reduce penalties for individuals found in possession of small amounts of illicit substances, including cocaine, meth, and heroin.

Chief Police Officer Neil Gaughan, despite initial opposition to the law by ACT Policing, now acknowledges the need for readiness among his officers. 

Officers stationed in Braddon and the city have received training, with an emphasis on altering their attitudes towards drug-related incidents.

“They're probably going to see people take a line of coke, where historically, they may have intervened, [but they're] probably not going to now,” Gaughan said. 

To gauge the impact of these changes, the police have been collecting intelligence on drug-related activities in the capital. This information will serve as a baseline for comparison with the situation after the decriminalisation laws come into effect.

However, Gaughan has expressed concerns that the new laws might encourage more people to experiment with drugs. 

He hoped that this anticipated increase in drug use would not materialise, stating, “I hope I'm wrong. I hope we don't see an increase.”

Another concern expressed by Deputy Commissioner Gaughan is the potential for confusion in the community regarding the difference between decriminalisation and legalisation. 

He worries that people who are unfamiliar with the legal nuances might be more inclined to try drugs, particularly young individuals.

Nevertheless, he says ACT Policing fully supports the intent behind the law changes, which emphasise a health-focused approach to harm minimisation for small-scale drug use. 

Under these laws, possession of hard drugs remains illegal, but individuals found with small amounts will receive an infringement rather than a criminal penalty.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr says that officers would respond to personal drug offences with on-the-spot fines and diversion to public health programs rather than resorting to legal action. 

He expressed the need to focus police efforts on drug trafficking rather than punishing individuals for personal use.

In line with this approach, Deputy Commissioner Gaughan revealed that police would adopt a more subdued stance at major Canberra events such as the Spilt Milk music festival and Summernats. 

This would include the absence of sniffer dogs and refraining from taking individuals into custody for small drug possessions. 

Police would, however, maintain a presence at these events, given the challenging environment they often present.