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‘You can overcome an addiction, but you can’t overcome a conviction’
Greg Denham believes we need to try another way to deal with drugs rather than continuing to criminalise users. In fact, he would go so far to say that it is policies such as criminal laws that are dangerous, not drugs per se. […]
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Australia’s recreational drug policies aren’t working, so what are the options for reform?
Illegal drug production is unregulated and many drugs are manufactured in backyard labs. Users cannot be sure what’s in them or how potent they are, so the risk of adverse reactions, including overdose and death, is high. […]
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We need to reform drug policy to help the person behind the problem
Hard evidence needs to be the basis upon which our drug policies are formulated. rather than emotion or politically-driven attitudes. […]
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Stereosonic have fully endorsed pill testing and that’s great news
Stereosonic Festival has announced their full support of pill testing at their events to keep punters safe and, y’know, not dead and it’s exciting to finally see some major Australian events publicly announce their endorsements. […]
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Voluntary drug-testing ‘a priority’ to save lives, say MPs
Pressure is mounting on state governments to allow drug-testing trials of illicit substances at public events after a federal parliamentary group declared they were a “matter of priority”. On Wednesday, experts from Australia, New Zealand and the US addressed cross-party MPs on the latest strategies for dealing with illicit drugs. The event culminated in a draft declaration, which included support for…
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‘A laughing stock’: doctors to continue pill testing despite threat of arrest
Two doctors planning to test illicit drugs at Sydney music festivals have vowed to continue their campaign despite threats of arrest and condemnation from NSW Premier Mike Baird. Dr David Caldicott, a Canberra-based emergency medicine specialist, said the trial was a common sense precaution and the government’s resistance to pill testing had become “a laughing stock overseas”. […]
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Drug decriminalisation helps minimise harm
This week federal parliamentarians will discuss with world experts ways to minimise harm caused by illicit drugs. At a national drug summit, legislators will also be reminded of the sobering reality that Australians consume illegal drugs at concerning levels. […]
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Outflanking the war on drugs?
In April, the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) will adopt a consensus position on drug control, but few are expecting a shake-up to the current, conservative, global framework. That’s why some reformers are turning to the Sustainable Development Goals as a blueprint for the future. […]
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End polarising stand-off and trial pill testing
No one wants another summer of deaths at music festivals. Prominent doctors are convinced that pill testing will make a difference, so convinced they are prepared to break the law to conduct pill-testing trials. […]
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Address other life problems to get at-risk young people off methamphetamines
New research has found use of methamphetamines has increased significantly in young people already at risk of other drug- and alcohol-related dependence and harm. […]
