By no means is pill testing intended to be a stand-alone “solution”, nor does it condone the use of illicit drugs. Instead, the argument is that we need to change the language of drug use from deviance and criminal justice labels to pragmatic notions of harm and public health, where any policies or programs implemented seek to reduce the harms…

“We are calling for further collaboration between law enforcement and healthcare providers to ensure that they take appropriate action to reduce the harm caused by drugs. It is important to focus on prevention, public awareness campaigns and education to shift cultural attitudes, so that use of party drugs is identified as a public health issue rather than a criminal one.”…

ACT Greens leader and spokesperson for drug law reform Shane Rattenbury, is rallying support for the nation’s first pill-testing trial at this month’s Groovin the Moo festival at the University of Canberra by urging community groups and individuals to sign an open letter to the festival promoter, which has not yet given its support. […]

The Scottish Government has turned to Australia for help as it builds its case to create the UK’s first safe drug injecting space – an innovation that could save hundreds of lives. Public health minister Aileen Campbell has held discussions with officials in the Victorian state government about their decision to open a “fix room” in Melbourne later this year.…

The government has supported a police and crime commissioner’s proposals to tackle drugs. Responding to a question in Parliament Policing Minister Nick Hurd said he welcomed West Midlands PCC David Jamieson’s focus on the issue. Mr Jamieson has championed the benefits of Heroin Assisted Treatment and wants the benefits of Drug Consumption Rooms to be considered. […]

The call for drug law reform is getting stronger, both globally and domestically. There is a growing acknowledgement amongst communities and former holders of positions of authority that the century-old drug prohibition model has failed. But the subject of illegal drugs is polarising, which makes drug law reform is a slow-moving process. […]

Drug using nurses and harm reduction workers could be hired at Victoria’s first supervised injecting room for their “lived experience of substance use”. North Richmond Community Health wants registered nurses and harm reduction practitioners with “lived experience of substance use” to apply for roles at the centre, listing it under the heading of essential skills and experience in the position descriptions.…

On average, 115 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Studies have said safe injection sites mitigate risky drug behavior, reduce the frequency of overdoses, curb the spread of HIV and viral hepatitis, do not increase drug use or local crime and have the potential to save millions of dollars…

The drug checking kits will allow students who have purchased drugs to ensure they have indeed bought what they believe and that the drug is ‘safe.’ The campaign, to bring drug checking kits which can detect potentially lethal contaminants, has been pushed by SSDP Ireland for the last two years. […]

The New South Wales government plans to ban people with a history of drug offences from living in social housing in parts of inner city Sydney. The desire to provide an environment that helps people who are trying to minimise their drug use and stay away from drug markets is understandable. […]