illicit drugs
Inside Canberra’s pill testing tent
More than three in five Groovin the Moo patrons who used the pilot pill testing facility were surprised by their results The final report into the pilot service has been …
Drug policy reform: the Portuguese decriminalisation model
Net harm from drug use has plummeted since Portugal changed the way it tackles the problem, writes Angelo Pricolo On a rainy night in Sydney this week one man representing …
Pill test trial uncovers deadly ingredients
The pill testing medical service at Groovin the Moo Canberra has been hailed as a success after “deadly” substances were found in pills Australia’s first pill testing trial took place …
Could legalising cannabis raise $2 billion a year?
Greens Senator Richard Di Natale has referred to independent costings that show billions in potential income from legalising the drug Greens leader Senator Di Natale has declared that legalising cannabis …
Fatal outcome on Kwinana Beach
A coronial inquiry has found use of synthetic cannabinoids led to the death of a Perth man, who was having trouble sourcing his usual cannabis supply Steven John Colloff, 47, …
Hunt rejects cannabis proposal
Health minister Greg Hunt has slapped down the Greens’ proposal to legalise recreational cannabis as “dangerous and medically irresponsible” This week Greens leader Richard Di Natale announced the party’s plan …
Pill testing could save lives
On-site testing of “party drug” pills could reduce drug use harms and possibly save lives, a new review suggests Dr Andrew Groves of Deakin University has published an independent review …
Current drug laws create harms: stakeholders
Health and social service providers and policy leaders have urged Federal, State and Territory Governments to treat drug use as a health issue The stakeholders met for a national summit …
Weekly Dose: cocaine, the glamour drug of the ’70s, is making a comeback
Weekly Dose: cocaine, the glamour drug of the ’70s, is making a comeback In Australia, cocaine is most commonly snorted. Ralf Geithe/Shutterstock Jason Ferris, The University of Queensland; Barbara Wood, …
Pill testing in the community?
The debate about pill testing needs to expand beyond just music festivals, says the ACT’s Greens leader – and community pharmacy could be one place to run such programs And …
Oxycodone use higher in the bush
More Australians are using oxycodone and fentanyl than heroin, new data from wastewater analysis suggests But there has been a gradual reduction in pharmaceutical opioid use in some sites, Australia’s …
Welfare drug testing scheme abandoned
The Government has had to give up on plans to introduce drug testing for welfare recipients after it became clear that the Senate would not pass the proposal The plan …