Aussie Youtuber and ex-criminal Spanian uncovers grim reality gripping ‘cocaine capital’ Canberra after drug decriminalisation
Two years ago, this Aussie city made the controversial decision to decriminalise nine hard drugs including meth, heroin and cocaine. Here’s what locals think about the move.
WARNING: Graphic
Sydney ex-criminal turned online personality Spanian has uncovered just how easy it is to get drugs in Canberra.
Spanian, real name Anthony Lees, is 37 and no stranger to life on the streets. His candid videos documenting different “hoods” around the world have earned him international renown.
After travelling the world over, the Sydney local wanted to see exactly how the ACT’s 2023 decriminalisation of small quantities of illicit substances had changed the capital’s underbelly.
The new legislation means that anyone caught with personal-use amounts of nine illegal drugs — including cocaine, MDMA, ice, heroin, LSD and amphetamines — no longer faces criminal prosecution.
Instead, they might get a $100 fine or be sent to counselling. Their drugs are taken, but they walk away.
Joined by two locals, Sean and KG, Spanian explored Canberra’s drug scene first-hand. The pair told him that one substance in particular had flooded the market.
“I feel like coke has taken over Canberra,” KG said. “It’s the cocaine capital.”
When asked if things had deteriorated since the changes took effect, Sean agreed.
“One hundred per cent, because you’re not scared of getting caught. Why would they bring this law in if it’s just going to make it worse?’
According to both men, meth — or ice — is the next major player. “Ice is probably the next (biggest drug). They (cocaine and ice) would probably be toe-to-toe, I reckon,” he said.
They’re not wrong either.
The latest report from the national wastewater drug monitoring program – which analyses sewage to test for samples of drug metabolites excreted in urine – backed up Sean and KG.
Canberra saw an 84 per cent spike in usage of cocaine from 2023 to 2024, after drugs were decriminalised, and was above the national average for cannabis, heroin, and oxycodone.
“It’s bad because (ice) is the next step up from coke,” KG added. “People are getting immune to coke then they’re going up to the next stage to get high.”
The pair led Spanian to a block of flats.
“There’s places like this all over Canberra,” KG said, before walking off and quickly returning with a small bag of pills.
“Wow, it’s that easy. It’s two grey ecstasy pills,” Spanian said, holding them up for the camera.
“I don’t know. I’ve had drugs on me a few different times and they just put it in my bag and give it back to me,” Jade said.
“I was in Queanbeyan and they’re (police) like, ‘She’s got a needle, she’ll be fine’.”
The footage has been viewed over 380,000 times, sparking a wave of comments — many coming from Americans who warned Australians not to repeat mistakes made by certain US cities.
“I live and have lived forever in Seattle. Word of advice,” one wrote.
“Don’t decriminalise anything and fund your police, unless you want your kids smelling fentanyl and leaning over everywhere you go. Not to mention the theft aspect because drugs get really cheap.”
Another from Oregon shared a grim reflection on their state.
“They started this a few years ago here. It destroyed so many lives,” they wrote.
“They didn’t have the help needed for those who chose treatment over the fine. Millions of dollars were allocated for programs they never got off the ground. I hope your situation improves and hopefully your system shows promise for change in these harsh times.”
“They did this in Oregon, USA. It was a total s*** show. Don’t do it.”
Oregon’s experiment with decriminalisation began in 2020 but quickly unravelled. Addiction and overdose rates soared, particularly in Portland, where users openly consumed drugs in public.
Fines of up to $US100 ($A155) did little to deter anyone. By April 2024, the state reversed the law entirely.
Not everyone is on board with ACT’s controversial drug decriminalisation laws.
Canberra Liberals deputy leader Jeremy Hanson last month tabled a motion calling for a repeal of the laws. It failed but triggered passionate debate.
In a scathing op-ed for the Canberra Daily, Mr Hanson declared the “experiment has failed – utterly”.
“Drug use has gone up. Drug overdoses have gone up. Drug driving charges have gone up,” he wrote.
“We have the highest rate of drugs overdoses of any capital city in the country. These figures are undeniable and unacceptable.”
Mr Hanson disputed that the changes were made to minimise drug users being locked up – revealing that just eight people were convicted of drug possession as a standalone offence in 2021-22.
“The government went soft on drugs to fix eight cases — and in doing so, unleashed far broader harm across the community,” he continued.
“On every measure, every indicator shows that these laws have not created less harm, they have made our city less safe.
One man who agrees with him is Australian Federal Police Association president Alex Caruana, who said the statistics since the laws came into effect painted a grim picture.
“Frontline officers are seeing firsthand the devastating effects of these laws. Drug use in public places has become more visible, overdoses are increasing, and police resources are being stretched as drug-driving offences and community disorder rise,” he said.
“The promise that decriminalisation would reduce harm, free up police resources, and disrupt drug dealers has simply not materialised. The data shows the opposite. Drug use is up, supply offences are down, and Canberrans are less safe as a result.”
Mr Caruana said police “support rehabilitation and treatment”, but claimed “the community is paying the price for a failed experiment”.
ACT Health Minister has committed to persisting with the laws, insisting the community was largely supportive of seeing drug use “treated as a health issue, not a criminal one”.
“What we’re really hearing from the community is that they have seen a reduction in stigma, an increase in people talking about their drug use, [and] seeking help,” she told the ABC.
“Whether that’s going to come through in the data at this point is not entirely clear.
“But we’ve already informally started that evaluation process, and what we’re hearing from the community is we’re still seeing a vast majority of Canberrans saying we should be treating drug use as a health issue, not a criminal one.”
The ACT Government has contracted a team from UNSW to evaluate the consequences of drugs being decriminalised, with results expected in March next year.
More Coverage
For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online.
For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to the Turning Point website.
