“Families can sometimes have so much to deal with when drug use occurs, especially problematic drug use. Having a family member branded a criminal and having to navigate the criminal justice system only makes matters worse.”
Tony Trimingham, CEO and Founder of Family Drug Support and organiser of the National Family Drug Support Day on the 24th February said today.
Recent data from the Australian Crime Commission shows that over 90,000 people were arrested last year for just using drugs across Australia.
The breakdown of these arrests across the country is as follows:
NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT |
21,013 | 16,466 | 28,389 | 13,414 | 11,158 | 1,027 | 492 | 927 |
The most disturbing aspect of these 90,000 people across the country being arrested and charged is that the overwhelming majority are for cannabis use. The harm being done by criminalising so many people is devastating for families as every person being charged, arrested and stigmatised as a criminal has a family forced to endure the long term damage having a criminal record brings.