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Debbie’s son overdosed. She thinks this state’s push for drug testing is a ‘no brainer’
The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA), with the support of 77 health and community organisations, published a statement on Monday pushing for the Victorian government to implement a drug-checking service and early warning system in the state. […]
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Novel drugs are leading to rising overdose deaths in Victoria – drug checking services could help
Many of the harms people experience from using illegal drugs are a result of unregulated supply. Drugs may be contaminated, or completely substituted with something unexpected. They may also be of variable and unknown dosage or strength. […]
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The ACT is decriminalising small amounts of illicit drugs in a move to treat addiction as a health issue. How will that help users?
Substances like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine will still be illegal. But rather than facing the possibility of a criminal charge, people caught with small amounts of these and other drugs will be cautioned, fined or referred to a drug counselling program. […]
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NSW Labor MP speaks out in support over pill testing
The trial would not require new legislation and could be achieved through “existing frameworks”, said Murphy, a former president of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties. He said NSW Health could issue licences to existing drug-checking services like Pill Testing Australia. […]
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Girls as young as 12 and 13 are being strip-searched by NSW Police
From July 2022 to June 2023, three primary-school-aged girls and six 13-year-old girls were strip-searched, meaning they had to remove or move clothing because police believed they were concealing drugs or a weapon. […]
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Greens want debate on pill testing after music festival deaths
Harm Reduction Australia and Pill Testing Australia president Gino Vumbaca said drug-checking services could not operate without the support of government and the police. “The bill would remove any doubt about our permission to operate,” he said. “Politicians are way behind the community when it comes to what people support. This is a public health program to help people get…
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NSW on-the-spot fines for drug use and possession a ‘double-edged sword’, expert says
The NSW government announced this week that police would be given the power to issue up to two on-the-spot $400 fines to adults for personal drug use and possession of a small quantity of illicit drugs. […]
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Music festivals, drugs, and your leal rights when dealing with police in NSW
As the weather warms and music festival season approaches, a concern for many attendees will be how to deal with police and what your rights are. This is due to the often-overwhelming presence of police officers and sniffer dogs at festivals and concerts. […]
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Pill testing service could return to Spilt Milk 2023 festival in Canberra
A deal’s not done until it’s done, of course, but Mr Vumbaca is hopeful after failing to get anywhere with hundreds of other insurers. If he is right, pill-testing at the festival on November 25 would be there just after possession of small amounts of drugs was decriminalized on October 28, so making penalties light. […]
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Mother of teenager who died at Sydney music festival urges Minns government to introduce pill testing
Ms Ross-King and her family have campaigned for active measures to reduce drug-related risks, including pill testing. “The premier, government, governments before them … they want young people to change their behaviour,” she said. “They are not going to change their behaviour. The government needs to change their behaviour.” […]
