No More Drug War: Event

 

In 1999 the first NSW Drug Summit occurred which resulted in the first Medically Supervised Injecting Centre. Since then, the rate of drug use has increased and drugs are more accessible than ever. 

The 2024 Drug Summit is underway and concerns have already been raised with respect to the government’s genuine desire for consultation and drug law reform. 

 In light of this, NSWCCL is proud to present a second instalment in our drug law reform series on Wednesday 27th of November 5:30-7:30pm

The event will be hosted by Nicholas Cowdery AO KC FAAL in conversation with Shane Prince SC, Dr Marianne Jauncey, Dr Alex Wodak and Jimmy Finnane. 

They will be answering your questions and discussing the radical, evidence-based reforms and programs that can end the war on drugs.

This will be a great event for all those interested in drug law reform, including criminal lawyers.

Spots are limited so please RSVP below.  

If you have a question or topic you'd like the panel to discuss, please send it through to [email protected]

Light refreshments will be served. 

 

Our excellent panel includes: 

Nicholas Cowdery AO KC FAAL was the NSWCCL President from October 2019 to January 2021. A barrister, acting judge and now Adjunct Professor, Nick was the Director of Public Prosecutions for the Australian state of New South Wales from 1994 to 2011. Nick also served as President of the International Association of Prosecutors from 1999 to 2005 and was inaugural Co-Chair of the Human Rights Institute of the International Bar Association from 1995 to 2001. He chairs the National Human Rights Committee of the Law Council of Australia. Mr Cowdery was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in June 2003, and an Officer of the Order in June 2019 in recognition of his distinguished service to the law, to the protection of human rights, to professional legal bodies, and to the community. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law.

Shane Prince SC is a distinguished barrister with extensive experience in human rights law, as well as commercial, industrial, and public law. He serves as the Head of State Chambers in Sydney and has appeared in over 70 reported decisions, including landmark cases in the High Court of Australia. In addition to his legal practice, Shane is the Director and Co-founder of the Drug Offenders Program, an online early intervention education initiative designed to assist individuals whose offences are linked to drug and/or alcohol use.

Dr Marianne Jauncey is a Public Health Physician who has worked at the pointy end of harm reduction for decades. She has been the Medical Director of the Uniting Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC) since 2008. She has been instrumental in a number of the service’s achievements. MSIC has bipartisan political support in NSW as well as solid community support, and in 2010 became a permanent service. The MSIC now has an active consumer action group that goes from strength to strength. The Uniting Church formally decided to advocate for drug law reform and launched their campaign at Town Hall with Richard Branson in 2018. In partnership with St Vincent’s Hospital and UNSW, Uniting is responsible for Australia’s first ever trial of injectable opiate treatment, and in 2024 NSW’s first ever drug checking service was completed as a small research trial onsite at MSIC. MSIC itself has been present for 1.3 million injections without a single death, intervening in over 11,400 overdoses.

Jimmy Finnane has over a decade of experience in the drug and alcohol sector. He is the Director and Co-founder of the Drug Intervention Program, an online early intervention education program for defendants attributing their offences to drug and/or alcohol use, Jimmy has developed strategies to support at-risk individuals. Additionally, he founded Impairment Training, an online platform delivering specialised drug and alcohol training aimed at reducing workplace impairment and promoting safety. Jimmy also works part-time in acute care settings, including Glebe House and Tranquilo, serving as a drug and alcohol counsellor and caseworker.

Dr Alex Wodak is a physician who was Director of the Alcohol and Drug Service, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney (1982-2012) but has now retired. Was very involved in slowing the spread of HIV among and from people who inject drugs. Has been President of the Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation and Foundation President of the International Harm Reduction Association (1996-2004). Helped establish Australia's first needle syringe programme and first supervised injecting centre when both were pre-legal.

WHEN
November 27, 2024 at 5:30pm - 7:30pm
WHERE
State Chambers, 36/52 Martin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000
CONTACT
Adriana Boisen ·
43 RSVPS

Will you come?