Drug harm advocates say recriminalising meth ignores evidence, adds stigma (opens original article in a new tab)

Drug harm reduction advocates warn against recriminalising meth in the ACT, citing evidence that decriminalisation does not increase use and that treatment access is more effective than criminal sanctions.

• ACT Legislative Assembly decriminalised possession of small amounts of illicit drugs including methamphetamine in October 2023
• Drug harm reduction advocates warn recriminalising meth ignores evidence and stigmatises users
• Wastewater data shows ACT meth use increase of 30% between 2023-24 and 2024-25, in line with national trends
• ACT Chief Police Officer states drug decriminalisation and rising use are not linked, as local increases match national trends