News
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Growing number of Kiwis want cannabis law reform
A new poll commissioned by the NZ Drug Foundation has found soaring public support for cannabis law reform. Support for legal or decriminalised access to cannabis for people with terminal pain has risen to 89 per cent, up from 81 per cent last year. The poll of 943 eligible voters took…
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New research: High burden of hepatitis C among people who inject drugs
The global elimination of hepatitis C as a public health threat will not be achievable unless we improve access to harm reduction services, de-stigmatise drug use and drug users, and improve the overall health of people who use drugs. […]
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SA Government drops jail time for cannabis possession
The maximum fine for cannabis possession will still quadruple under the laws, from $500 to $2000. The tough stance on cannabis possession had been criticised by Law Society president Tim Mellor as lacking “evidence-based justification”. “The Bill, in our view, fails to sufficiently recognise that drug addiction is a health issue rather…
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Pill Testing Correspondence to All Governments
Harm Reduction Australia has written to the Federal, State & Territory Governments, as well as Opposition Leaders and Shadow Ministers to offer pill testing in their jurisdictions. See the letters here: Pill Testing letter to All Govts & Oppositions – July 2018 […]
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Police & Harm Reduction
Based on the direct experiences of law enforcement officers from across the globe, this report showcases alternatives to common punitive models for policing, and presents recommendations for how to incorporate new, evidence-based harm reduction approaches that aim to increase public safety, public health, and public confidence. […]
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Dutch cut overdose deaths by dispensing pure heroin
Public-health experts in the Netherlands say free distribution is one reason that drug-related deaths are far less common than in the United States. The program also has reduced crime and improved the quality of life for many users, according to Ellen van den Hoogen, who runs the clinic. […]
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Pill testing at festivals has hidden benefits that could reduce drug taking
According to Dr Caldicott, there are two things that change young people’s minds about drug taking: “The idea that what they’re taking could kill them and the idea that they’ve been ripped off.” “We’re able to provide both of those messages,” he said. Research from overseas similarly suggests that pill testing…
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Triple J’s Hack Program Dispels Politician’s Claims That Testing Encourages Drug Use
“People don’t consume drugs not caring if they get hurt. The very fact that they’re testing their drugs means that they very much care if they’re going to get hurt or not, and we find the model of taking a doctor who knows an awful lot about illicit drugs and…
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Why Does the New York State Department of Health Want to Legalize Marijuana?
“The positive effects of a regulated marijuana market in NYS outweigh the potential negative impacts. Areas that may be a cause for concern can be mitigated with regulation and proper use of public education that is tailored to address key populations. Incorporating proper metrics and indicators will ensure rigorous and…
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Bangladesh Drug War Claims Hundreds Of Lives
The violent anti-drugs campaign in Bangladeshhas claimed more than 200 lives, according to human rights advocates. “It is unprecedented in Bangladesh. So many people have been killed in such a short period of time,” Sheepa Hafiza, executive director of Ain o Salish Kendra, told Agence France-Presse. […]