‘War on drugs’ takes to the roads of Nimbin during Mardi Grass

Speakers at MardiGrass said drug testing of all drivers entering Nimbin was not about road safety, but was instead a political statement.

Random Drug Testing units were set up on roads into Nimbin during MardiGrass.

Speakers at this year’s MardiGrass cannabis rally said the huge police presence on all roads leading into Nimbin over the weekend was not about public safety, but was instead a war on drugs targeting a select group of people.

Random Drug and Alcholol units were set up on all roads leading into Nimbin over the weekend, with local police numbers bolstered by officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol, Operations Support Group and the Proactive Crime Team.

Richmond Police District Acting Inspector Ty Johnston defended the police presence, saying community safety was their priority at Nimbin this weekend.

But speakers at the Hemposium said road safety was being used as an excuse to wage a war on drugs that they say targets people based on race, culture and identity.

Greens MLC David Shoebridge said the Random Drug Testing being conducted on Nimbin roads was anything but random, as everyone was being pulled over to be tested.

He called the police presence “a ring of overtime”, and drug laws were being used to overpolice a community that was already overpoliced.

Greens MP Cate Faehrmann agreed, saying the roadside testing was persecuting choice and lifestyle rather than protecting road users.

Solicitor Steve Bolt said the decision each year to send so many police officers to Nimbin during Mardi Grass “was ridiculous” and political.

The rally’s call for cannabis law reform highlighted the issues surrounding Random Drug Testing – that it tested for the presence of drugs in the system, not driving impairment.

Former magistrate David Heilpern, who also spoke during the weekend, has long been outspoken about roadside drug tests that he called “grossly unfair”.

Mr Heilpern was involved in the Drive Change campaign, which addresses the legal ramifications for people who use cannabis medicinally.

Inspector Ty Johnston said up until Saturday night, 400 RBT / RDT were conducted, with 17 positive results.

“Police have issued three cannabis cautions and one future court attendance notice issue for drug possession,” Inspector Johnston said.