From: [b--o] at [midland.co.nz] (Reuben Jackson)
Newsgroups: nz.general,nz.politics,alt.drugs
Subject: Drug Use 'Independent of law'
Date: 14 Oct 1994 00:28:35 GMT

I have copied the following article out of the NZ herald 13 oct 94.
Drug use is punished by law, it is not detered by it.

Article >>>>>

	DRUG USE 'INDEPENDENT OF LAW'
(AAP  MELBOURNE)

	The partial decriminalisation of cannabis is South Australia 
had not led to a significant increase in the number of people using the
drug, a study has found.
	The rate of increase in cannabis use in SA was little different
from that in states where it was still an offence, according to the study
released at a conference on alcohol[a drug], drugs and families in Melbourne.
	Cannabis use in SA was partially decriminalised in 1987, with the
introduction of instant fines for possessing small amts and the abolition
of criminal records for personal use.
	The study found that the number of people who had used cannabis at
least once increased btwn 1985 and 1993 in all states and territories where
cannabis use is a criminal offence.
	"The rate of increase was much the same for SA compared to the 
rest of Ausi. That is, there is no sig dif in the increase," a national
drug and alcohol research centre statistics research officer, Mr Neil
Donnelly, said.
	Four national surveys on cannabis use have been done btwn 85 and 
93 for the National Taskforce on Cannabis.
	The 1993 study showed that the number of SA's who had used C
at least once increased from 26% in 85 to 38% in 93. In Victoria where
C is a criminal offence, the figure rose from 23% in 85 to 31% in 93.
	Mr Donnelly said the research also showed about 5% of people used
cannabis weekly.
	Although the figure had been relatively static over the past few
years, there had been a 5% inc in Tasmania btwn 91 and 93. Northern T's
had the highest use with 9% of people using the drug at least once a week
in 93.