News
-
Julian Burnside backs Greens on death duties and drugs in battle for Kooyong
Mr Burnside said on Tuesday morning he supported decriminalising the use of drugs. “I think that’s a good idea. There are some drugs like ice that I think ought to be kept away,” he said on Sky News. […]
-
‘Prohibition causes harm’: Coroner in charge of inquest into six opioid deaths urges the government to hold summit on decriminalising drug use
A coroner in charge of an inquest into opioid deaths has recommended a drug summit to consider the decriminalisation of personal drug use. New South Wales Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame said prohibition policies have failed, and suggested a harm minimisation strategy instead. […]
-
‘It will take courage’: Coroner urges summit on drug decriminalisation
Among a list of 26 recommendations, Ms Grahame called for NSW Health to hold a drug summit hearing from experts in addiction, drug law reform and law enforcement, as well as current and former drug users, to develop policy that is “evidence-based and human rights based” and focusing on harm…
-
Drug Decriminalization in Portugal Learning from a Health and Human-Centered Approach
“Drug criminalization fuels the United States’ dual crises of mass criminalization & overdose deaths,” said Widney Brown, DPA’s Managing Director of Policy. “The Portuguese experience demonstrates that decriminalizing drugs – alongside a serious investment in treatment and harm reduction services – can significantly improve public safety and health.” […]
-
Pill testing trial for Groovin the Moo given go-ahead after spate of festival deaths
Pill testing trial for Groovin the Moo given go-ahead after spate of festival deaths – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Festival-goers will again be able to get their illicit drugs checked for dangerous substances at this year’s Groovin the Moo music festival in Canberra, after the ACT Government signed off…
-
A Rally Against the NSW Government’s Live Music Laws Is Happening Next Thursday
Organisers of the rally want the government to form a roundtable to review the new rules impacting live music and to work with festival organisers to develop a transparent standard for policing and medical services. “We are for a solution that is proactive in the minimisation of harm. Not in…
-
NSW government’s “War on Festivals” blamed for Mountain Sounds’ cancellation
As Mountain Sounds becomes the second victim of these regulations in the last week, it seems increasingly suspicious that forcing festivals to close down due to unrealistic costs is the Government’s way of preventing drug deaths. People are now calling this “The War on Festivals” and Sydney’s lock out laws…
-
‘It is time’: City of Sydney councillors back pill-testing ‘dry-run’
City of Sydney councillors have backed calls for an urgent NSW drug summit and supported a pill-testing demonstration in a bid to drive down the number of young people dying at music festivals. Five young people have died from suspected drug overdoses at music festivals in Australia since September, reigniting heated…
-
Current drug laws contribute to unnecessary death
Whether motivated by self-centred pragmatism or ideological purity, the price that the community, families and individuals are paying for the opposition to pill testing is too high. Politicians must understand that human lives are not something to be traded away for the sake of keeping party members happy (and donating)…
-
NZ: Free drug testing in spotlight as festival season kicks off
Event organisers couldn’t publicly state drug-testing kits were available at their venues because the Misuse of Drugs Act made it illegal to knowingly permit drug use at any premises. “Until the law changes we have to be discreet about where we are going.” […]