42 Results

Ecstasy-related deaths are still occurring, yet the “debate” about drugs remains the same. Music journalist and casual drug user Sanjay Fernandes argues drug users should be part of the conversation.

The problem with the preventive health movement is the refusal to accept a basic trade-off of Western society — that liberty is at times more important than maximising community welfare.

The age of effective antibiotics is threatened by everyday farming and medical practices sending us into what experts are calling a “death spiral”. Priscilla Pho reports.

Crikey readers have their say.

Drug policy is often described as hard or soft. Really these terms are misnomers. Being tough on drugs is something which is done by weak politicians, writes Lisa Pryor.

Based on everything they’ve seen and learnt, an ex-politician has a real shot at putting together some pretty decent policy, especially since they’re no longer required to sell it to the public.

Cocaine use in on the rise in Australia, particularly in Sydney and particularly amongst high-earning individuals who would never call themselves drug addicts. Joel Meares investigates the social, health and political issues of the white powder.

The number of women in Mexican jails have jumped by 400% since 2007. But why? Most of the women are very young, used as tempting bait by gangs looking to kidnap male victims. Damien Cave examines the femnisation of the drug cartels.

Last week a war broke out in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas. Watch as the Brazilian police force arrive with tanks and guns and battle drug traffickers armed with automatic weapons, while journalists and citizens hide behind houses and try to escape.

Drug use, particularly that of marijuana, is endemic in all our communities, and yet we persist in throwing up our hands, sputtering outrage and condemning users whenever the four-letter-word is mentioned, writes author Kate Holden.

The Greens intend to maintain their moderate drugs policy rather than back-pedal — as they repeatedly have in the past — under threat of a scare campaign. It’s the right play.

The Caribbean has become the new corridor for drug smugglers attempting to get into the US, since the tightening of the US-Mexico border. But drugs bring organised crime, murders and corruption into the islands.

“Just say no” is a completely unrealistic drug campaign and harm minimisation doesn’t work for casual drug use amongst young people. People should be encouraged to look out for their drug taking friends, writes David Penberthy.

The police don’t arrest people with an addiction to alcohol, gambling or sex, so why do we make criminals of people who just happen to be addicted to drugs?

At the height of the GFC, drug and gang money were the only liquid investment capital around, essentially keeping our entire financial system afloat, says the head of the UN Office for Drugs and Crime. And they say crime doesn’t pay.

Is the medicalisation of sex, thanks to drugs like Viagra, distorting our views on sex and sexuality just to sell drugs? As the hunt continues for a female version of Viagra, it seems like a timely debate.

Dope-loving Britons are hailing Dr David Nutt — the UK government drugs advisor whose views on cannabis got him sacked — as a “modern-day Galileo”. Get real, says Brendan O’Neill: Galileo was a pioneer; Nutt is a famewhore.

The CIA has funded some odd programs throughout its history. Like, luring men with prostitutes and then drugging them to observe the effects of acid and LSD. And implementing cats with microphones to spy on the Russians. Fun!