Legalising illicit drugs would save Victorian taxpayers tens of millions

Taxpayers would save tens of millions of dollars over the next decade if Victoria adopted a radical plan to decriminalise illicit drugs, a report has revealed.

Victorian taxpayers would save up to $130m over the next decade if a radical plan to decriminalise all illicit drugs was adopted, a new report has found.

Analysis by the state’s Parliamentary Budget Office has estimated the massive savings in a policy costings report prepared for Reason Party leader Fiona Patten.

Ms Patten has introduced a Bill to parliament, to be debated on Wednesday, that would decriminalise illicit drugs.

Under the proposal, people believed to have used or possessed a drug of dependence would be issued a mandatory notice by Victoria Police and referred to drug education or treatment.

Compliance with a notice would lead to no finding of guilt or recorded criminal outcome.

Both major parties have ruled out supporting the Bill.

Reason Party leader Fiona Patten has introduced a Bill to parliament that would decriminalise illicit drugs. Picture: David Crosling

Ms Patten said the money saved on clogging the courts and prisons would be spent on rehabilitation and treatment.

“People with alcohol and other drug problems need help, not more harm,” Ms Patten said.

“Here is a measure increasingly adopted around the world, amid proof it reduces needless deaths, leads to recovery, slashes crime, saves public funds, and rescues families.

“This change needs and merits bipartisan political support.

“It has the support of law enforcers, addiction experts, policy analysts, medical associations, doctors, nurses, other frontline service providers.”

Since entering parliament in 2014, Ms Patten has been instrumental in the introduction of significant social reforms including the introduction of drug injecting rooms.

She has been a longtime advocate of evidence-based drug policy ­reform.