In response to calls for "tougher" penalties to drug dealers: Queensland DRUGS MISUSE ACT 1986 - SECT 5 Trafficking in dangerous drugs 5 Trafficking in dangerous drugs (1) A person who carries on the business of unlawfully trafficking in a dangerous drug is guilty of a crime. Penalty: Maximum penalty—25 years imprisonment. (2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 , section 161Q states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this section. (3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 , section 161Q may not be presented without the consent of a Crown Law Officer. Are "tougher" penalties going to dissuade someone already looking at 25 years max? Are judges applying the maximums? If not why not? What is the root cause of drug dealing? Drug demand and great financial reward Why are people demanding so much drugs as to raise the market value of them to such an extent that dealers are prepared to risk 1/3 of their lives in jail? Are there any negative consequences to being an addict? To ignoring all of the evidence of the pitfalls and health concerns of drug use? Do you lose welfare? Are you refused health care? Are your family shamed? Instead of treating the symptom can we have a look as to what the causes are?