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. […]

Scientific data is growing exponentially in support of the notion that legalized cannabis access can significantly mitigate opioid use and abuse. On Monday, the esteemed Journal of the American Medical Association, Internal Medicine published a pair of persuasive new studies reinforcing this opinion. […]

A letter between ACT Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris and Groovin The Moo promoter Cattleyard obtained by Fairfax Media revealed the promoter’s support for the trial was “contingent” on a list of requirements being met. It’s understood some of the demands can’t be met under current ACT laws. […]

Welcome to Portugal. The country’s low-key, non-headline-generating drug policy, based on compassion, public health, and public safety, is a stark contrast with the U.S., as the mind-boggled response of the activists suggests. […]