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.
Drugs
The women soldiers in Mexico’s drug wars
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.
Beyond a lobby-driven debate
The fanfare around Health Minister Nicola Roxon’s announcement that 13 new medicines would go on the PBS is a reminder of the power and influence involved in the selection and reimbursement of prescribed medicines, writes Glenn Salkeld.
Not ready to let Roxon off the hook yet
Shakira Hussein was relieved to see her MS drug make the PBS approved list, but she’s not going to break open the metaphorical non-alcoholic champagne until the government reverses its decision to subject drugs recommended for subsidy to cabinet decision-making.
PHOTO GALLERY 
Brazil’s deadly favela drug war
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.
Kate Holden: lots of people like drugs, try asking them about it
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 take their medicine on the drug debate
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.
Murder, shootings and drugs: another lazy day in the Caribbean
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.
Penberthy: Be a pal, look after your drugged out friends
“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.
How drug money saved the world financial system
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.
Getting into bed with pharma: does it bring pleasure or profit?
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.
Dr David Nutt is not the new Galileo
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.
weird The most bizarre CIA programs of all time
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!
Drugs vs. booze
Debate is heating up in the UK after the government’s former chief drugs adviser, Dr David Nutt, was sacked over his views that cannabis is less harmful than cigarettes and alcohol. Now the scientific community is coming to his defence.
Drugs expert shown the door for disagreeing with government
The UK’s most prominent drugs expert has been kicked off a drugs advisory board for disagreeing with the government’s view that cannabis should be classified as a lethal drug.
Shoot first, pay them later: US loses the Afghan drug war
US military are struggling to handle the Afghan drug trade. Although it’s a violation of Afghanistan’s laws, the US military have complied a kill on sight, drug lord hit list. Too bad some Afghan drug lords are on the CIA’s pay roll, writes Jeff Sparrow.
Over diagnosis, wrong treatments: the mess of depression
Mental health issues — particularly depression and the increase in its over diagnosis — are turning young men into “the canaries in the coal mines of our toxic culture”, writes Miranda Devine.
Afghanistan: are assassinations the only answer?
When the military draws up its death lists, how does it distinguish between civilian and military targets? Should drug traffickers be put on the assassination list?
Republican moms heart marijuana
“As a Republican mother committed to legalizing marijuana, political life can be lonely,” admits Jessica Peck Corry. “But while many in my party whisper about the Drug War’s insanity, we should shout it from the rooftop: the time to legalize is now.”
Stoned wallabies, not aliens, damaging poppy crops
The mystery of crop circles in and around Tasmania’s legal opium poppy fields may have been solved. It’s not aliens, but junkie wallabies hopping around in dazed circles.
Nice people take drugs. No really. I saw it on a bus
If you are travelling around central London this month, don’t be surprised to see a double-decker bus carrying the campaign slogan “Nice People Take Drugs”, writes President of the Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation Dr Alex Wodak.
America’s favourite drugs
How popular are various drugs by area? GOOD do what they do best, and show us — in graph form. Pretty, pretty graph form.
