ACT government to decriminalise possession of small amounts of drugs including cocaine and heroin

The ACT is the first jurisdiction in Australia to decriminalise small amounts of illicit drugs including heroin, cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine. Photograph: Kickers/Getty Images

The Australian Capital Territory government will decriminalise the possession of small amounts of illicit drugs including heroin, cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine, becoming the first jurisdiction in the country to do so.

In announcing the reforms on Thursday, the ACT health minister, Rachel Stephen-Smith, said it was clear current laws had not worked.