Amend drug laws, toughen penalties

LAST June, The National published a front page picture of two convicted drug offenders who were deported and as they entered the Jackson International Airport terminal, they gave the peace or victory sign.
The message behind that sign could mean many things, but one thing that stood out, because of what the men were involved in, were the mere penalties carried by our laws.
The two men were among seven foreigners caught with cocaine worth about AU$1.5 million (K3.4 million) by a joint police and defence force navy team on a naval patrol boat about 50 nautical miles from Budibudi Island, in Milne Bay, last May 23.
For that, they were sentenced to 18 months in prison.
We publish articles almost every day on drug busts and arrests.
All good for the arrest, but the concern now is that PNG does not have tough laws for the offenders.
Police in PNG currently use the Drug Act 1954 which has a maximum jail term of only two years.
That is only a slap on the wrist in terms of punishment.
The Act carries only four offences – cultivating, harvesting, in procession and making of marijuana.
Similarly, cocaine use and abuse also carry soft penalties guided by laws against marijuana.
Marijuana, or cannabis, is the most commonly used illicit drug in the country.
There is no secret that this drug has been around in communities and the increase in cases should now be a concern.
With the change in time, this Act should be amended so authorities have ammunition to penalise not just marijuana dealers, but those who want to try morphine, cocaine or methamphetamine (ice).
The soft penalties are definitely in no way a deterrent to those involved in what many say is a lucrative business.
Drug-related offences in the country, especially with marijuana trafficking, has increased.
People say it is the role of the police to provide security and make our communities safe, but we should remember that it is also our duty to assist them.
Police can not be everywhere to provide security and be watchdogs, this is because they need information to do that.
Police cannot act on guess work as people’s rights to privacy must also be taken into consideration.
So, it is important for people to report information relating to the abuse of drugs not only for the police to do their job, but to keep ones safety secured as drugs are not only illegal but cause social and health issues.
That is a concern and should be addressed before it makes a rippling effect on society.
What has happened to the reviews that were to create new laws and increase penalties?
We have written about it before and will continue to do so with trade and business agreements between PNG and Indonesia already in place, it would not hurt if we ask for guidance in amending the Drug Act 1954 and incorporate some of their penalties like traffickers receiving death penalty into ours.
Compared to Indonesia, our closest of neighbour, we are poles apart when it comes to drug offences and penalties.
Across the border, drug offenders face death.
That is the grim contrast.