Drug Free Australia Chair, Craig Thompson this week paid tribute to the great contribution of the Hon Athol Moffitt CMG, AM, OC in his fight against illicit drugs in Australia.

‘Though we are extremely saddened by his passing, we are comforted in the knowledge that Athol’s great work lives on in his research, the most current of which he has provided to Drug Free Australia’s library’, said Mr Thompson.

Athol worked tirelessly in both research and as a practitioner to ensure that accurate information was readily available about drug issues.

HIs long and very distinguished professional career includes the following:

• Born in Lismore, Athol attended Chatswood Public and North Sydney Boys High Schools. He attended Sydney University and graduated BA LLB with first class honours just prior to World War II.
• Athol was admitted to the NSW Bar, before serving in the Army throughout WWII and returned to the Bar after the war.
• As the prosecuting Officer in the Sandkan War Trials, he played a major role in the trial and execution of a high ranking war criminal.

• Athol completed a 22 year term as Judge of the Supreme Court and was President of the Court of Appeal for 10 years. In addition her was Royal Commissioner into Organised Crime and had a short period as Acting Governor of New South Wales.

Renowned author, Athol’s published works include ‘Project Kingfisher’ and ‘A Quarter to Midnight’, as well as ‘The Drug Precipice’ which was written in association with co-authors John Malouf and Craig Thompson. This publication was written in the late 1990’s and gives one of the best accounts of the background of politics and international crime associated with illicit drug production, trafficking and use available today.

Australia’s future generations of young Australians will always be indebted to The Hon Athol R Moffitt and his  magnificent contribution to our vision of a ‘Drug Free Australia’.