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Drug reform

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The Australians most likely to die from accidental drug overdoses

For the first time since records began, accidental fatality rates are being driven by this middle-aged group.

  • Annika Smethurst

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Many cancer patients are already using marijuana to alleviate the symptoms of chemotherapy.

Chris Minns is taking an uncharacteristic risk with new drug driving laws

The famously risk-averse NSW premier has announced “commonsense” changes to the laws around THC and driving. Not everyone is happy.

  • Michael McGowan
Dr Brendan Morrissey Dr Jacqueline Maplesden with a special interest in toxicology

Rise of supersized ‘nangs’ linked to deaths, paralysis and brain injuries

Increasing numbers of Victorians are being left with permanent spinal and neurological injuries, life-threatening complications and severe burns linked to inhaling nitrous oxide.

  • Melissa Cunningham
Festival goers are much more likely to avoid court under the NSW government’s drug diversion scheme.

Rich, white and attending music festivals: Who police pick to avoid court

A report has found people caught with illicit drugs at festivals were far more likely to avoid court than others.

  • Max Maddison
Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Debbie Platz APM in her Brisbane office during her first month in the role.

Watchdog’s silence on controversial government bill sparks alarm

New human rights boss Debbie Platz declined to publicly weigh in on the LNP’s proposed drug crackdown and new police power expansion.

  • Matt Dennien
Mexico violence

After six decades of the war on drugs, what works?

The US and its allies have spilled blood and treasure to kill kingpins and defeat cartels, but the products keep coming and the new groups are more violent than ever.

  • Maria Abi-Habib
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Caboolture resident Dayne Howard, a medicinal cannabis user, recently lost his driver’s license after testing positive to THC in a roadside drug test.

‘Pick between driving or treating yourself’: Calls for change to zero-tolerance laws

In some states, medicinal cannabis users who return positive roadside drug tests are allowed a medical defence. It’s a different story in Queensland.

  • Courtney Kruk
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli and former senior public servant Michael De’Ath.

Key public servant speaks out on ‘alarming’ health program ban

School-leavers will descend on the Gold Coast later this week. The lack of drug-checking services for them – and the state – has driven one bureaucrat to act.

  • Matt Dennien
Little Green Pharma’s Australian revenues up 29 per cent to $2.3 million for the quarter.

The WA government is asking whether cannabis should be legalised. Will it listen?

The Mental Health Commission asked the question as part of its 2025 Drug Attitudes survey, but a WA MP said the response from residents was rarely acted on.

  • Hannah Murphy
Director Lynette Wallworth with Tashka Yawanawa.

Treading a perilous line between science and shamanism

Edge of Life is a documentary probably best left to the true believers.

  • Jake Wilson