-
As a former top cop, I feel a duty to speak out
The Coroner did not suggest, and I certainly do not suggest, that pill testing is the answer to illicit drug use. It is simply one of a matrix of reforms which we must be prepared to consider and trial if we are to make a positive difference. But to suggest…
-
Why pill testing does not condone drug use: Ruth Forrest explains
“In my mind (pill testing) is a health issue, it’s not a law enforcement issue,” she said. “We need to target suppliers and dealers. The more we can disrupt the supply, the better. “I live in the real world, and as a nurse and a midwife you come across people…
-
Undying love fuels grieving parents’ push for pill-testing
And they want drug checking. Would it have saved Josh? The Tams can’t be sure. But it might have. “The first thing the (counsellors) would have said to him was, ‘Mate, you’re struggling with the heat, do you realise what MDMA will do to your body?’” says Julie. They would…
-
Australia’s drug laws are preventing people from seeking help for addiction
Mr Gough said when people are stigmatised and discriminated against it becomes internalised – resulting in people thinking they don’t deserve any services. “So what I see is people who are disengaging with society because their problematic drug use is causing social isolation,” he said. “Really everyone has a different…
-
Pill testing trial to only cost $3.8 million, say Victorian Greens
“Everyone deserves to enjoy music festivals safely, but Victoria’s out-of-date and punitive drug laws are putting those who enjoy festivals at risk,” said Victorian Greens’ health spokesperson Dr Tim Read. “Pill testing reduces harmful drug use and connects young people to harm reduction services.” Dr Read says that savings will…
-
Respectfully, Premier, you’ve made a big mistake
This is not a matter of giving a green light to drugs. It is doing what we do with safe injecting rooms – saying: “We wish you wouldn’t take these drugs, but if you are going to do it, at least do it while minimising the risks, and let us…
-
Pill testing at festivals ‘may be backed by NSW coroner’
Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek has hinted she could remain open to the possibility of pill testing at music festivals amid reports the NSW Coroner is also considering recommendations police drug operations be scaled back at events.Ms Pilbersek told Today initiatives such as the medically supervised injecting centre in Sydney’s King…
-
Former police commissioner calls for the depenalisation of drug charges
Former AFP Commissioner Mick Palmer is renowned for asserting that Australia can’t arrest its way out of the drug problem. And he’s not the only ex-top brass turned drug law reformist. There’s once NSW police commissioner Ken Moroney, as well as ex-Tasmania police commissioner Jack Johnston. And now, former NSW police commissioner…
-
‘Young people will die without pill testing’: Victorian MP’s festival plea
Ms Patten held a press conference on Monday, alongside young people who had experienced near-death incidents as a result of taking drugs, arguing lives lost from drug overdoses could have been saved with pill testing. “The government still hasn’t agreed to a pill testing trial, an initiative that we know…
-
Festival goers ditch pills after testing, inquest hears
Pill testing expert Dr David Caldicott has called for on-the-spot checks at NSW festivals after Canberra trials proved highly successful, with revellers ditching identified lethal substances. This year 234 revellers at Canberra’s Groovin The Moo participated in the testing resulting in the discovery of 170 substances. Seven were found with…
