News
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Pill testing consortium offers indemnity for trial at Groovin the Moo
The consortium behind plans to conduct Australia’s first legal pill-testing trial at Groovin the Moo in Canberra says it has offered the promoter legal indemnity if they are allowed to test drugs at the festival. Cattleyard Promotions are yet to agree to the drug-checking pilot despite the Canberra leg of…
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How Portugal Is Winning The War On Drugs
Portugal has stepped up and set an example for the world. It has shown that the traditional solution to drug addiction, which was attempting to suppress through iron fist of government, is not the most moral nor efficient means of solving the problem. Hopefully, the world follows Portugal’s example and…
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The case for decriminalizing drugs
No compassionate society should treat a health issue as a criminal one, promoting fear and isolation in the process. And no wise government would continue to expend resources on measures so plainly ineffective and counterproductive as enforcement and interdiction, when evidence-based treatment and prevention measures are at hand. […]
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Fuelling the methamphetamine “epidemic” with law enforcement: What about prevention and treatment?
The problem with this reporting is that law enforcement has not been shown to be an effective means of reducing a seemingly never-ending supply of drugs. Despite this, research shows that 66% of government money allocated to addressing alcohol and other drug-related issues is spent on law enforcement, while only…
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Ice inclusion in trial makes sense
This is not about condoning or encouraging the use of drugs. It is about harm minimisation, saving lives and helping people get well. It works. This is also about public safety. The government will provide security inside and outside the centre. We urge people to keep an open mind and…
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Despite a reduction in executions, progress towards the abolition of the death penalty is slow
Of ongoing concern is the use of the death penalty in drug cases. Fifteen countries implemented or imposed capital punishment for drug crimes in 2017. Iran executed more than 200 people convicted of drug offences. Although fewer executions were imposed for drug crimes in 2017, extrajudicial killings have been commonplace in…
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Death Sentences and Executions 2017
Amnesty recorded at least 993 executions in 23 countries in 2017, down by 4% from 2016 (1,032 executions) and 39% from 2015 (when the organization reported 1,634 executions, the highest number since 1989). At least 2,591 death sentences in 53 countries were recorded in 2017, a significant decrease from the…
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At least four countries executed people for drug-related crimes in 2017, study finds
The countries known to have executed people for drug-related crimes are China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. Amnesty’s report states it is also possible that Vietnam and Malaysia executed people for drugs offenses, but it was unable to confirm that. Because of secrecy about how laws are enforced in a number…
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Psychedelic drugs could be the answer to mental illness: study
Misinformation and prejudice towards these types of drugs has halted psychedelic research in Australia, and other countries, meaning drug companies are hesitant to develop psychedelic treatments. The study’s lead author Stephen Bright told Starts at 60 that Australia is falling behind when it comes to research on psychedelic treatments, noting a…
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NZ: Denying elderly stroke patients medical cannabis a form of elder abuse, Grey Power branch says
A group representing the elderly has appealed to Parliament to be able to grow its own cannabis. Grey Power’s Otamatea branch, from Northland, said older people with “unbearable” conditions should not have to deal with illegal gangs to get cannabis for medical use. Denying people alternative means of pain relief…