A Victorian MP says her plan to decriminalise illicit drugs is about saving lives rather than punishing people.
Reason Party leader Fiona Patten will next week introduce her bill to the Victorian upper house.
She says drug use should be treated as a health issue, with police enforcing mandatory treatment instead of criminal penalties.
"The 50-year-old `War on Drugs'... has been one of the most disastrous public policy failures in modern history - destroying countless lives ... and creating a massive black market that has enriched organised criminals," Ms Patten said in a statement.
"Victoria Police supports treatment-based responses. But the existing law ties up extensive police resources dealing with something that police acknowledge is a health issue, not a criminal one."
Under the changes, police would issue a mandatory notice and referral of drug education or treatment to those found to have used or possessed an illicit drug.
If a person complies with the notice, there will be no finding of guilt and no criminal record.
Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said the state government had no plans to change its approach around drugs.
"It is clear that we do have in place diversion programs for the possession of small quantities of drugs," Mr Pallas said.
"We've spent a lot of time going after those who manufacture and market in volume illegal drugs.
"But certainly our position is that we have no plans to decriminalise."
Opposition leader Matthew Guy said the coalition would not support Ms Patten's bill.
"I'm more focused on making sure that people can get an ambulance when they call one rather than Fiona Patten's proposal," Mr Guy said.
