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Pill testing debate needs to be ‘less divisive, more decisive’: festival organisers
“Harm minimisation is dealt with as a law enforcement issue in this country and state, whereas when you look overseas it’s dealt with as a health issue, so that is where the conversation needs to go,” Mothership Event’s Justin Nyker said. […]
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Aussie Festivals & Musicians Urge NSW Premier Not To Shut Down Events, Following Defqon.1 Deaths
An Australian-first pill testing trial took place at the Canberra leg of Groovin The Moo in April, with the program’s final report deeming the trial an “overwhelming success”. In August, a $100,000 fundraiser was also launched to help support the roll out of pill testing programs at more Australian music festivals, following the successful Groovin The Moo trial. […]
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As War on Drugs Again Declared Failure, Trump’s UN Event Dismissed as ‘Splashy’ Backward-Thinking Photo Op
“President Trump is the last person who should be defining the global debate on drug policy,” says one expert. “Trump has shown complete disdain for human rights and international law.” […]
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Plan for tackling Australian drug woes
Telling young people not to take drugs isn’t working. That’s according to the head of a national drug services organisation and a former Australian Federal Police commissioner. Instead, the nation should focus on reducing the harm caused by drugs, including offering pill testing at music festivals, the duo say. […]
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It’s time to try a different approach to drug use
Will a strategic approach of harm minimisation absolutely stop the number of deaths from drug consumption? No. Might it reduce the number of deaths? Yes. Isn’t that enough of a reason to try a different approach to drug use? No doubt the Canberra pill-trial wasn’t perfect. But it demonstrated a willingness to admit prohibition is a failure. […]
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Trans-Tasman Charter for Pill Testing
On behalf of the STA-SAFE Consortium and our colleagues in New Zealand – we are please to release the Trans-Tasman Charter for Pill Testing. We are also encouraging organisations and individuals that support the principles outlined in this charter contacting Harm Reduction Australia to be listed as signatory. Trans Tasman Charter for Pill Testing – Final […]
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Imagine if the media covered alcohol like other drugs
What if the media covered alcohol like it does other drugs? This was a question that came up in my coverage of flakka, a synthetic drug that made headlines after law enforcement blamed it for people running in the streets naked in delusional paranoia. What follows is a satirical attempt at capturing that same type of alarmist reporting, but for…
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Voters back pill testing despite government’s opposition
Almost 60 per cent of NSW voters support pill testing at music festivals despite the state government’s refusal to consider it, exclusive new polling reveals one week after two people died at a dance party. […]
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Adelaide music festival to go ahead as police warn of ‘significant risk’ to party goers using illicit drugs
Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation president Dr Alex Wodak said additional police resources at music festival were doing more harm than good. “There were 120 police and 20 detectives at Defqon.1,” Dr Wodak said. “We have to recognise that relying heavily on law enforcement has been incredibly unsuccessful. “It is irresponsible of governments not to consider pill testing. […]
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A Zero Tolerance Drug Policy Doesn’t Mean Zero Deaths
Two people died at Defqon.1 festival in Sydney over the weekend. Three others are in critical condition, and another 700 had to seek medical assistance during the festival. This has to stop, and it won’t stop through zero tolerance. […]
