News
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Australia’s ice plan ‘failing’: expert
The federal government has invested $300 million into ice education and rehabilitation but Dr Wodak, a former director of the Alcohol and Drug Service at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital, argues a more progressive policy is needed. “I’m not suggesting for a minute that we take money off law enforcement but we…
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Heroin made life bearable – at the same time as it nearly killed me
Trauma, mental ill-health, housing insecurity, poverty and so on are not the fault of the individual in a society increasingly aware of how many people are left behind and ignored in the minority’s pursuit of wealth. They do increase the attraction of drugs that can numb the severity of bitter…
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‘Record seizure’ headlines mark another false step in misguided war on drugs
Pursuing these same, tired war-on-drugs strategies might seem like a show of strength. But it will take real courage for politicians to acknowledge the need for a new approach. In the meantime, let’s take claims about the value of drug seizures with a grain of salt. […]
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Richmond’s heroin problem has gone from tragic to absurd
Thirty-four people died in my neighbourhood last year from overdoses that might have been avoided by providing drug users with a place that is carefully monitored by staff and social workers so they can inject with sterile equipment and dispose of needles safely instead of accidental overdoses occurring and syringes…
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South Africa High Court Just Legalized Private Cannabis Use
In a landmark ruling this morning, the Western Cape High Court in South Africa ruled that keeping weed illegal is unconstitutional. The decision marks a significant change in South Africa’s cannabis laws, effectively legalizing private cannabis use. […]
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Why it’s important to just say no to bad drug policy
We should just say no to antiquated, ineffective and regressive strategies and policies for drug misuse prevention, and to demonizing complicated behaviors that are often initiated out of trauma, for capital gains in the prison system. Sessions, it seems, wants to further stigmatize and criminalize trauma. To this, I just…
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Drug Decriminalization Conversation Ramps Up In Australia
Mick Palmer spent decades locking up drug users, first as a policeman and eventually as the head of the Australian Federal Police. Now, Palmer—along with other law enforcement officers and politicians—is calling for the widespread decriminalization of drugs in Australia in order to turn the tide against a drug enforcement policy…
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Former premiers and Australian police chiefs call for drug decriminalisation
The report, entitled “Can Australia respond to drugs more effectively and safely?”, makes 13 recommendations around minimising drug-related harm and the burden on the criminal justice system. Among them are reducing and, where possible, eliminating penalties for possession and use; expanding health and social assistance for young people struggling with drug…
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Former top cops want ‘white market’ in illicit drugs, decriminalisation, more injecting rooms
The Australia21 report has the backing of former police commissioners and assistant commissioners, two former heads of Corrective Services, a former Supreme Court Judge and a former Director of Public Prosecutions. […]
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Kings Cross healthcare provider Ingrid van Beek says the time has come for drug decriminalisation
Ingrid van Beek, who has been at the forefront of providing health care for drug users, sex workers and homeless people in around Sydney’s Kings Cross for 30 years, is calling for drug use to be decriminalised. […]