Infringement versus conviction: The social impact of a minor cannabis offence under a civil penalties system and strict prohibition in two Australian states

Lenton, Simon; Christie, Paul; Humeniuk, Rache; Brooks, A. Russell; Bennett, Mike; Heale, P.

doi:10.1037/e677612010-001

Cited by 13 publications

(16 citation statements)

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“…Unfortunately, subsequent cautions were found to have increasingly less positive effects on offenders, raising questions as to how to reinforce and maintain the initially observed positive effects of the program. In contrast, evaluations of the CEN program in South Australia (Ali et al, 1999;Lenton et al, 1999) and Western Australia , which merely requires offenders to pay an expiation fee, failed to reveal a change in the rate of cannabis or other drug use following the receipt of a CEN. These results indicate that on their own CENs may not be effective in deterring individuals from continuing their drug use.…”

Section: Concerns and Weaknessesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drug and crime cycle: Evaluating traditional methods versus diversion strategies for drug-related offences

O’Callaghan

Sonderegger

Klag

2004

Australian Psychologist

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There is considerable debate in the current literature, regarding the appropriateness and effectiveness of incarceration as a means of punishment for perpetrators of drug-related crime. Researchers have begun to question incarceration due to factors such as expanding prison populations, the economic burden placed upon society, the negative consequences and side-effects for offenders, and the apparent ineffectiveness of incarceration as a long-term crime prevention technique. New approaches to tackling the problems of drug-related offences, such as diversion strategies, have been proposed. The literature to date suggests that diversion strategies may be effective in reducing crime and rehabilitating offenders. However, there are recognised limitations to this approach, highlighting the need for more evaluations before solid conclusions can be drawn about the effectiveness of diversion schemes. The aim of this review is to evaluate the current literature regarding the efficacy of diversion strategies as an alternative to the traditional methods of crime prevention for drug-related offenders. Strengths and weaknesses of diversion programs in general and for three specific types of diversion strategies (i.e., cautioning schemes, referral programs, and drug courts) are discussed. Finally, recommendations are provided for maximising the effectiveness of diversion strategies.

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Section: Concerns and Weaknessesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drug and crime cycle: Evaluating traditional methods versus diversion strategies for drug-related offences

O’Callaghan

Sonderegger

Klag

2004

Australian Psychologist

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“…One of the best studied reforms has been the South Australian cannabis expiation notice scheme introduced in 1987. Evaluators found that 'decriminalization' led to increased employment prospects and increased trust of police (Lenton et al 1999). Yet, it also led to net-widening.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A second limit to the use of evidence in debates over drug regulation is the limited and variable evidence surrounding the impacts of these existing forms of liberalization. Where reforms that have been studied, different methods and approaches have been used (Model 1993;Donnelly et al 1995;McDonald and Atkinson 1995;Sutton and McMillan 1998;Lenton et al 1999;Single et al 2000;Solivetti 2001;Kilmer 2002;Korf 2002;Pacula et al 2004;Williams 2004;Featherston and Lenton 2007;Domrongplasit et al 2010;Reinarman 2009). To date, the major focus of analysis has been whether decriminalization leads to increases in the prevalence of drug use.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Can We Learn From The Portuguese Decriminalization of Illicit Drugs?

Hughes

Stevens

2010

British Journal of Criminology

273

161

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“…Fourth, the prohibition against cannabis is often applied in a discriminatory way, with cannabis offenders more likely to be unemployed and socially disadvantaged males [61]. Fifth, the imposition of criminal penalties on the minority of cannabis users who are arrested gives them a criminal record that more adversely affects their lives [63,65] than their cannabis use [43] and does not reduce their cannabis use [66–68].…”

Section: Other Social Costs Of Cannabis Prohibitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges in reducing cannabis‐related harm in Australia

Hall

2009

Drug and Alcohol Review

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This paper outlines the major policy challenges in reducing cannabis-related harm in Australia. The first is uncertainty about the health effects of cannabis, especially in young people. The second is uncertainty about the extent and severity of harms attributed to cannabis prohibition by its critics. The paper summarises and briefly states the extent of these putative harms to the degree that the data allow. The third challenge is a consequence of the first two, and the very different weightings that proponents of more liberal or restrictive policies give to harms arising from cannabis use and those arising from prohibition, namely, strong disagreements within the community about how we should respond to cannabis use by young people. In the face of such disagreement the formulation of cannabis policy necessitates a political compromise. The compromise that has emerged is a continued prohibition of cannabis production, sale and use, combined with either civil penalties for use in some states and reduced penalties or diversion in others. It concludes with suggestions about what needs to be learned about the health effects of cannabis use and the costs and benefits of cannabis prohibition if we are to develop policies that are more effective in reducing harms caused by cannabis use.

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Infringement versus conviction: The social impact of a minor cannabis offence under a civil penalties system and strict prohibition in two Australian states

Cited by 13 publications

References 0 publications

Drug and crime cycle: Evaluating traditional methods versus diversion strategies for drug-related offences

Drug and crime cycle: Evaluating traditional methods versus diversion strategies for drug-related offences

What Can We Learn From The Portuguese Decriminalization of Illicit Drugs?

Challenges in reducing cannabis‐related harm in Australia

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