Honesty needed over drug use

Honesty needed over drug use

The gay community needs to be more honest with itself when it comes to using illegal drugs, New Mardi Gras co-chair Nick Parker believes.
And his co-chair, Steph Sands, has urged Mardi Gras revellers to remember the use of illicit drugs is illegal as Sydney prepares for Mardi Gras party.
“Our parties are no different from other parties and the use of illicit drugs is against the law,” Sands told Sydney Star Observer.
“I urge all members of my community to consider this over the Mardi Gras season.
“Unfortunately, some people will make poor choices at our events and suffer the consequences both from a health and safety and legal perspective.”
NSW Police came under attack late last year after they took sniffer dogs into Sleaze Ball. Partygoers were made to run a gauntlet of sniffer dogs and heavy rain to enter the party. Dogs were taken into the venue and on to the dancefloor.
NSW Greens MLC Sylvia Hale called on Police Minister Michael Daly to explain claims officers “used undue force and confiscated tickets” at the party.
Police have denied any claim the dogs were used inappropriately.
After receiving about 200 complaints from members and the public, New Mardi Gras sought urgent talks with NSW Police, and set up a drug talkfest with the assistance of the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby and ACON.
“We will continue to work with our rmed and prepared to deal with the issues of drug use at our events,” Parker said.
“We will also harness the collective power of the many talented and experienced people in our local, national and global community to ensure we implement the best strategies to deal with this issue in the future.
“Use of drugs is a very complex issue for our community and we need to be a bit more open and honest with ourselves to discuss this issue more constructively and to seek better outcomes as a result.
“I am saddened to see that a small percentage of the GLBTQ population makes choices about the things they do without fully thinking through the consequences under the law. I also find it very sad to see the consequential damage that drug-taking has on people personally and professionally.”
members, our community and key health and legal/rights bodies to ensure that our community is better info

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3 responses to “Honesty needed over drug use”

  1. is anyone else considering the policing was down at Mardi Gras because of the NMG Project Blue Party Rights information and that the NMG Legal Volunteers were on hand to monitor plice behaviour?

    Interesting…….

    And Nick, i am not sure what you mean by “I am saddened to see that a small percentage of the GLBTQ population makes choices about the things they do without fully thinking through the consequences under the law”. Could you epxlain further?

  2. “the use of illicit drugs is against the law” = tautology

    the use of drugs not prescribed for the individual taking them is also illegal

    “a small percentage of the GLBTQ population makes choices about the things they do without fully thinking through the consequences under the law” = naivete/falsehood. not a “small percentage” at all

    but this doesn’t warrant NSW Police’s targetting of the GLBTQ community with sniffer dogs. the same goes for the disproportionate number of sniffer dogs at places with high number of indigenous people, eg redfern railway station

    GLBTQ people should have a look at the Greens’ comments, evaluate and vote accordingly

  3. How wonderful to finally see NMG stating the issue clearly for the community – use if these drugs are illegal and potentially harmful, at Mardi Gras as much as anywhere else and any other time.

    Sit in any court room for 30 minutes and you will see how drugs and alcohol are also responsible for so much crime. Assualts, theft, drink driving etc etc. As a community this weekend, let’s take care of each other. If someone you know has had enough, tell them and offer to help or get help. Even if it’s someone you don’t know, show a bit of compassion and give them a hand. We gotta take care of our own guys, cause so many others in the community don’t give a shit!