NSW Government Defends Drug Search Practices Following Summit ⁣Response, Rejects Immediate ⁢Cannabis Defense

Sydney, NSW – The New South Wales government is facing criticism⁢ after releasing its‍ response to the recent Drug Summit, notably defending the continued use of strip searches‍ and sniffer ‌dogs at music festivals, and rejecting, for now, a medicinal cannabis⁢ defence for drivers. The response follows a​ notable court ruling regarding an unlawful strip‌ search at a music festival, a case ​that increased pressure ‍to reform police practices.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley defended the government’s ​position, stating, ⁣”Both ‍strip searching and ⁤sniffer dogs are very significant tools for police investigations and⁣ it’s as simple as that.” She acknowledged the NSW Police apology to Ms. Meredith ⁢for the unlawful ​strip search identified in a September court ruling, adding, “That matter is before the ⁢court and I⁣ think we should allow that matter to go the duration of the court and then we’ll obviously have‌ something to say.” Both NSW ​Police and the state ⁣government previously issued apologies following‍ the ruling.

The government’s response has drawn a sharp rebuke from NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann, who accused the‌ Minns government ⁤of missing‌ an opportunity for meaningful drug⁢ law reform. “The Drug ⁤Summit was meant to be a turning point for evidence-based drug reform‍ in‍ New South Wales,” Ms. Faehrmann said in a statement. “Rather, we’ve seen Labour ‌squander this historic opportunity to reform our drug ​laws.”‌ She further criticized the⁤ approach, stating,⁢ “Instead the government has cherry-picked the easy bits and rejected or delayed the reforms that would actually make a difference.”

Though, the response has received support ​from some in the treatment sector. Kieran Palmer,⁤ clinical services director at the⁤ Ted Noffs foundation, welcomed the government’s focus on health-based approaches.⁢ “Any steps the government can take to put science and evidence and health at the forefront of this conversation alongside ‌law enforcement are the right steps to take,” Mr. Palmer said. “This is a commonsense approach and we believe that the majority of⁤ NSW families would feel the same.”

The Ted Noffs Foundation, which provides drug and alcohol treatment services for young ⁣people, acknowledged the continued need for law enforcement ​measures, including safeguards like strip searches, but emphasized they should ⁣be integrated ‌with treatment and early intervention strategies. “Law enforcement⁤ needs to form a part of this picture,we can’t pull​ law enforcement out all together,” Mr. Palmer stated.

The government’s decision to delay addressing⁤ a ‍medicinal cannabis defence for drivers is a⁢ key point⁤ of contention, highlighting the ‍complex balance between public ⁤safety and evolving approaches to drug ⁢policy in new South Wales.