Australian Radio Host Proposes Legalizing Cocaine Sales at Pharmacies

Shock jock Kyle Sandilands has proposed legalizing cocaine and selling it through regulated outlets, suggesting major pharmacy chains like Chemist Warehouse as a distribution point. Sandilands made the remarks on his show 'Kyle Sandilands Live,' arguing that such a measure would ensure the purity of the drug and reduce the risks associated with its illicit trade.

The Australian Capital Territory is currently the only jurisdiction in Australia where possessing small amounts of illicit drugs, including cocaine, is decriminalized, although possession remains unlawful and substances are confiscated. This discussion emerges as Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett has called for a reassessment of Australia's illicit drug use, its ties to organized crime, and its impact on national security.

"Australians take too many illicit drugs, and it is absurd how much money users are willing to pay for them," Barrett stated. Sandilands weighed in on this sentiment by advocating for a shift towards regulated sales.

"What I think they should do with the cocaine is this," Sandilands said, detailing his proposal. "Stop try to stop people snorting coke, put the f***king cocaine for sale at Chemist Warehouse, so it's pure, it's a full gram. Who cares if someone's blasting some lines? It's dangerous when criminals are in charge. It's very dangerous for what they're cutting it with. If you really cared about people's lives, you would decriminalise it, and I reckon people would probably slow down buying it."

Chemist Warehouse operates approximately 560 locations across Australia. The proposal has generated varied reactions from listeners, with some supporting the idea of regulation to mitigate drug use risks, while others expressed strong opposition.

Sandilands has previously spoken about his own past struggles with cocaine addiction in the late 2000s, describing its use as a coping mechanism during difficult personal periods, including his divorce in 2010. He recounted on air in 2018 that he used cocaine to manage the aftermath of his divorce from Tamara Jaber.

While the ACT has decriminalized personal possession, New South Wales police can issue a $400 fine for low-level drug possession offenses under its Early Drug Diversion Initiative, which can be resolved by paying the fine or completing a telephone health intervention. This initiative does not decriminalize possession, and police retain discretion to lay charges.