Chapter 1Introduction

Initiation of inquiry

1.1On 26 September 2022, the Joint Committee on Law Enforcement (thecommittee) resolved to inquire into and report on the challenges and opportunities for law enforcement in addressing Australia’s illicit drug problem.

Terms of reference

1.2The terms of reference for the inquiry are:

Pursuant to subsection 7(1) of theParliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement Act 2010, the committee will inquire into and report on the challenges and opportunities for law enforcement in addressing Australia’s illicit drug problem, with particular reference to:

(i)trends and changes relating to illicit drug markets in Australia, including the supply, trafficking, production, distribution and use of illicit drugs;

(ii)emerging trends and risks, such as new psychoactive substances, adulterated drugs and other new sources of threat;

(iii)law enforcement’s ability to detect and respond to the trafficking of precursor chemicals and illicit drugs, including the adequacy of screening techniques and the impact of seizures on illicit drug availability and use;

(iv)the involvement of law enforcement in harm reduction strategies and in efforts to reduce supply and demand, including the effectiveness of its involvement;

(v)the strengths and weaknesses of decriminalisation, including its impact on illicit drug markets and the experiences of other jurisdictions; and

(vi)other related matters.

Conduct of the inquiry

1.3The committee advertised the inquiry on its webpage and invited submissions from a range of stakeholders by 13 January 2023.

1.4The committee received 69 submissions. A list of individuals and organisations that made submissions, together with other information authorised for publication is provided at Appendix 1.

1.5The committee held public hearings in Melbourne on 20 April 2023, in Sydney on 29 June 2023 and in Canberra on 26 September 2023. A complete list of witnesses who gave evidence at the hearing is at Appendix 2.

1.6The committee also conducted a site visit, attending the premises of CanTEST Health and Drug Checking Service in Canberra, ACT on 26 September 2023.

Acknowledgements

1.7The committee thanks all individuals and organisations who contributed to the inquiry by making submissions, providing additional information or appearing before it to give evidence. The committee extends its thanks to CanTEST for hosting the committee and demonstrating the work it undertakes.

Structure of the report

1.8This report consists of 6 chapters:

Chapter 2 provides the context for the inquiry, outlines current trends in supply, seizures and consumption of illicit drugs and summarises some of the major harms arising from illicit drug use;

Chapter 3 establishes the current policy settings in relation to illicit drugs and canvasses some of the major policy debates raised in evidence;

Chapter 4 considers supply reduction strategies and investigates current law enforcement approaches, including responses to the trafficking of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals, as well as the impact of seizures on supply;

Chapter 5 canvasses demand and harm reduction strategies, including decriminalisation, and discusses the interaction of these strategies with, and their impacts on, law enforcement; and

Chapter 6 details the committee’s conclusions and recommendations.