I’m now more convinced than ever that drug policy reform represents one of the greatest human rights and social justice issues of our time.
Recently, there have been dramatic developments at the United Nations. At the 68th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, a groundbreaking resolution established a panel of independent experts to review the entire UN drug control system. Wow! Closer to home, the NSW government released their drug summit report.
Despite this progress, there have also been disappointments, like Queensland’s backflip on pill testing.
Below are the latest drug policy news from Australia and around the world.
United Nations Drug Control Regime Faces Historic Shake-up!
A landmark vote at the recent 68th United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (UNCND) revealed cracks in the UN’s previous unanimous approach to drug control. In a resolution spearheaded by Colombia and backed by a majority of member states, a panel of independent experts will review the UN drug control system.
But not everyone is happy. The United States, Russia, and Argentina attempted to block the change. Despite their incessant “no’s”, the newly introduced majority voting system prevailed. This highlights a critical power shift in the United Nations’ approach to drug policy. No longer do the staunch drug prohibitionist countries like the US hold complete sway over international drug policy!
With our consultative status at the United Nations, Drug Policy Australia will continue to monitor the news as it evolves.
NSW’s Drug Summit Report
The New South Wales Drug Summit has just released its long-awaited report. Its key recommendations are: ending drug detection dogs and strip searches at festivals, more medically supervised injecting rooms in regional areas, reforming medical cannabis driving laws, and strengthening diversion programs for youth offenders. Let us pray that the NSW Government has the courage to implement the reforms. Hallelujah! 🙏
Queensland Pill Testing a Bust
Queensland’s newly elected LNP government will shut down the state’s pill testing services this April, fulfilling a controversial pre-election pledge. This decision comes despite alarming evidence of dangerous synthetic opioids, including Nitazenes, found in Queensland’s drug supply.
The closure, which follows successful trials like the Gold Coast Schoolies festival, has sparked outrage from public health experts.
It is disappointing that the decision to shut down a life-saving service is based on ideological rather than evidence-based reasons!
Victory for Victorian Medical Cannabis Drivers!
Victorian drivers with valid medical cannabis prescriptions will no longer automatically lose their licenses. The courts will be able to exercise discretion for users who fail roadside cannabis tests. Finally, cannabis driving laws that make sense! Hopefully, other states will follow Victoria’s lead.
Comedy Show Discount Tickets at 4:20 on 4/20! Easter Sunday
For our Melbournian supporters, this one’s for you!
Use our code “DPA420” for a discount this Sunday (4/20) and enjoy a 20% discount on comedy show tickets. Come and hear local and international guests riff on the global cannabis day of celebration.
Victoria’s Pill Testing Goes Big
Following successful pill-testing trials at Victoria’s three main music festivals, the Victorian Government is following through with plans to establish a fixed-site service in inner Melbourne by mid-2025.
Hopefully, this time, there won’t be a repeat of the fiasco on choosing a suitable location, like there was for a second injecting room!
Stay tuned for more details.
Prosecuting the Prosecutor: Duterte Faces Justice at ICC!
Finally, former Philippines President and alleged murderer, Rodrigo Duterte, appeared before the International Criminal Court charged with crimes against humanity. He was arrested in the Philippines on March 11th for tens of thousands of extrajudicial killings during his “war on drugs” regime.
Let justice be done!
Our Street Advocacy
We continue to advocate for drug reform on the streets, with our dedicated team sparking vital conversations and building public support one conversation at a time.
We’re also excited to welcome Bradley Young to the Drug Policy Australia team! Bradley’s passion and commitment are already making waves. Don’t hesitate to say hi if you see him out and about.
A big thank you to everyone who’s stopped to chat or donated—thanks to you, we’ve welcomed over 200 new supporters this month alone. Your support is helping drive real change.
NSW’s Early Drug Diversion Initiative Fails
The EDDI program was intended to divert low-level drug offenders from the courts with on-the-spot fines instead of criminal charges. The problem is that the police have complete discretion on who gets a diversion. They love it because they can trade diversions for information.
The scheme’s implementation was seriously flawed, with over 90% of offenders still being charged.
Only 6.9% of offenders were offered a diversion, while Indigenous Australians received a shockingly lower rate of 2.6%. Whether this disparity is due to racial profiling or unconscious police bias, the system is not working.
NSW’s Pill Testing Trials and Tribulations
The first NSW pill testing trial went ahead at the “Yours and Owls Festival” in Wollongong this March, despite initial reluctance from the NSW government.
In contrast to pill testing initiatives in other states, which are operated in partnership with non-profit organisations, the NSW government directly managed the trial. As a result, an aggressive police presence with sniffer dogs undermined the goals of the trial.
Police conducted 23 arrests during the festival, underscoring ongoing tensions and contradictions within NSW’s approach to harm reduction.
Illegal Tobacco Burning A $6.9 Billion Hole In The Federal Budget
Australia’s crippling high tobacco tax has inadvertently birthed a flourishing black market that is lighting up like Guy Fawkes Day, with 100’s of shops firebombed. As smokers turn to cheaper, illegal nicotine, the government’s revenue from tobacco excise has plummeted. Taxation as a prohibition tool is backfiring, fueling organised crime while failing to meet public health goals.
Read our article for more information.
INCB Bullies Australia on Cannabis Legalisation
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) expressed “concern” regarding Australia’s potential move towards cannabis legalisation. In the 2024 Annual Report, published earlier this year, INCB stated it has “communicated to the Government of Australia” that any moves to legalise cannabis would go against our legal obligations under the UN Single Convention.
Haven’t they heard about America, Canada, Uruguay, Thailand, Germany, etc? So why are they picking on us?
UK’s Police Carry Naloxone.
All police in the UK will now carry naloxone nasal spray that reverses the effects of opioid-based overdoses. While this is excellent news for the UK, in Australia, only two state police forces, WA and QLD, are carrying life-saving naloxone. The rest of the country is lagging behind. Let’s learn from the UK and push for all Australian police to carry naloxone.
DRUG ALERT: Nitazene Detected
Killer Fakes! Queensland authorities have identified highly potent synthetic opioids in the drug supply. Calls for concern come as a new type of nitazene, called Protodesnitazene, has been discovered in illicit Oxycodone pills and even vape liquid. This new development is worrisome, as without pill testing, there is no way to know for sure if synthetic opioids are present.
If you or someone you care about is using drugs, please consider purchasing some test strips.
We stock both Nitazene and Fentanyl test strips in our shop for your convenience.
Support Drug Policy Australia (Help Us Save Lives)
As overdose deaths continue to rise and highly potent synthetic opioids enter the Australian market, drug policy reform has never been more urgent.
One person dies of an overdose every four hours. Many of these deaths can be prevented.
Having recovered from my own heroin addiction, I have an intimate understanding of how ineffective our current drug laws are. The laws did not help me then, and they are not helping the thousands of Australian families who need help today.
This is why I teamed up with Dr. John Sherman, an addiction specialist with over 45 years of experience, to create Drug Policy Australia.
At Drug Policy Australia, we are committed to advocating for evidence-based reform to the presently outdated and ineffective drug laws. But we need your help.
As a small, self-funded charity, we do not accept government funding, which would compromise our ability to advocate for reform. We rely on your generosity to continue our work for sensible drug policies that reduce harm and promote human rights.
All donations are fully tax-deductible.
At-Home Drug Testing Kits Available
As news of nitazenes and fentanyl continue to dominate headlines, knowing whether your drugs have traces of potentially fatal contaminants could be the difference between life and death.
Pill-testing saves lives. The more you know, the better.
Purchase your own substance-testing kits to use in the privacy of your own home on the Drug Policy Australia online shop.
How to Argue the Case for Reform
Want to talk about drug policy reform with your loved ones but are not sure how?
Download our free e-book and equip yourself with the tools to educate your friends and family on the ins and outs of drug reform.
Support Drug Policy Australia
A global shift is occurring, but things are not moving fast enough. Overdose deaths continue to rise, and fentanyl and nitazenes are becoming an ever-present threat in Australia.
If you enjoyed this newsletter, please consider donating to support our mission.
All donations are fully tax-deductible.
Finally, thank you, particularly to our new supporters, for your support and commitment to drug policy reform. Together, we are making a difference by advocating for policies that prioritise health, dignity, and human rights.
Greg Chipp
Managing Director
Dr John Sherman, Lisa van Rooyen
Directors
www.drugpolicy.com.au
