There’s a lot we don’t know about how Queenslanders will be able to get their pills tested in future. But here’s how other countries do it.
- Senior lecturer, Australian National University
Thornapple or jimsonweed and related plants have an interesting history – from an early asthma treatment to intoxicated British soldiers.
What happens when drug testing experts come across a substance they have never seen before?
Pill testing has faced a setback in Australia with insurers withdrawing insurance from Groovin the Moo festival in Canberra.
If you feel like you’re having a medical emergency then you should still go to hospital. Expect longer waits and extra precautions.
We’ve heard anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was poisoned with something called a ‘cholinesterase inhibitor’. Here’s what that means.
Shaman have used the psychoactive effects of ayahuasca for spiritual and healing purposes for hundreds of years. But a new breed of tourist has discovered this plant-based drug.
Carfentanil is an ultra-potent synthetic opioid. Its only legitimate use is in veterinary practice for large animals such as elephants, but it sneaks into heroin shipments to increase its potency.
Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said conducting on-site drug tests at public events “safely and quickly is not really a practical option”. But the technology is available.
In the absence of any more sophisticated options, drug consumers are resorting to drug testing kits they can access themselves.
Not only are our drug policies not working, we’re falling behind the rest of the world and what evidence says is best to ensure we have fewer deaths from illicit drugs.
Testing drugs at music festivals not only means we can assess whether they contain anything unexpected, but it’s an opportunity to try to change the behaviour of users.
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