The recent arrests of four people over drug related offences in the NSW ski fields has sparked fresh controversy over the effectiveness of the Federal Government’s tough measures to reduce drug use.

Sniffer dogs were used to detect small quantities of ecstasy on the four individuals who were holidaying at a NSW ski resort. Operation Viking is the latest incarnation of the Government’s ‘Tough on Drugs’ policy. A return to a zero tolerance approach, it aims to stamp out illicit drug use with an emphasis on law enforcement.

Prime Minister John Howard launched the policy in conjunction with his chief drugs policy advisor of the Salvation Army. Pat Daly, a spokesperson for the Salvation Army supports a zero tolerance approach with an emphasis on ‘Harm Prevention’. “There is no safe way to do drugs,” he said. “Law enforcement is part of a three-pronged approach to make drugs socially unacceptable,” he added.

Since Tough on Drugs was introduced, the proportion of the population who had used an illicit drug dropped from 22% in 1998 to 19.6% in 2001. The number of Australians aged over 13 who had been offered heroin decreased from 2.4% to 1.5% over the same period, according to the National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) in 2001.

However these findings do not highlight the growing popularity of other illicit drugs, particularly ecstasy and amphetamine usage. In 2001, 6.1% of the population had tried ecstasy, compared with 4.8% in 1998 and just 2.1% in 1991, according to the same survey.

Meanwhile road accidents caused by drugs and the number of people turning to drug counsellors for help is increasing. The cost of prosecuting and incarcerating increasing numbers of small-time offenders is skyrocketing. “Enormous resources are required for more jails, courts and police. The money saved could be spent on programs to help people understand the health damage which drugs can cause.” said Dr Alistair Lochhead of Royal Price Alfred Hospital.

These factors point an increase in “party drugs” that are used to enhance the party environment, causing many to doubt the policy’s effectiveness. Lachlan McCulloch, a former undercover officer on an investigation for the Herald-Sun, witnessed a man make 14 drug deals in one hour at a Melbourne nightclub recently.

Elsewhere: “The security staff at a Sydney venue who passed J detection orofactory development 101 have been seen to scan the joint for spliff smokers to throw out while surrounded by underage gurners and kilos of Class A’s,” said one punter.

South Sydney Councillor Amanda Lennon describes the use of sniffer dogs as “intimidating”. “It is supposed to be illegal and it targets the average punter rather than suppliers.

Kate Fairmont of the NSW Greens Party, agrees. “This use of over-policing does nothing but frighten people. It puts people in the position of having to take drugs before they leave home” she said.

As an alternative to Tough on Drugs, the NSW Greens propose a ‘Harm Minimisation’ policy. It recognises the failures of blanket bans such as prohibition in the US and argues that people will continue to use drugs, illegal or no.

The party proposes removing criminal penalties for personal drug use and establishing licensed drug outlets to import, manufacture and sell drugs. Testing units at pharmacies and nightclubs would be provided where users could check the quality and purity of their drugs.

“If drugs could be obtained from strictly controlled clinics, the black market would largely disappear and young people would not be so tempted to experiment. Obtaining drugs in a sterile medical environment is much less exciting than a nightclub,” added Dr Lochhead.

In contrast, mainstream Australia does not support regular illicit drug use or its legalisation. 30% of the population supported the legalisation of marijuana, according to the NDSHS in 1998. However support for legalising amphetamines and heroin was just 5.8% and 7.3% respectively.