A parliamentary committee in the Northern Territory will examine the possibility of decriminalising all drugs, as Chief Minister Michael Gunner opened the door to a new “health ­approach” to the issue. Assistant Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Jeff Collins, who has been lobbying for drug decriminalisation, will lead the committee, which will report back in August next year. […]

The UK’s first ever drug safety testing facility has opened following successful pilots at several British music festivals. The pop-up lab, which was set up this weekend in Bristol, is able to test the strength and quality of drugs provided to it by users. […]

This is a significant step forward in our approach to drug law reform—now we’ve shown that pill testing in Australia can be as successful as evidence from overseas indicated, we hope to see it implemented across the country without delay. […]

The recent pill testing trial at the Groovin’ the Moo music festival demonstrated why pill testing is an effective harm minimisation activity but also why we need to end drug prohibition in Australia and to effectively regulate the quality and supply of drugs here. […]

While it might not be for everyone, you can rest assured there is a group of people quietly relieved about Canberra’s brave trial – the two revelers whose drugs tested positive for harmful substances, and their families. […]

The Australian Medical Association Tasmanian president Stuart Day said a number of harm minimisation policies are needed when it comes to illicit drugs, including “needle exchanges, pill testing, and degrees of decriminalisation for some drugs”. […]

Harm Reduction Australia and Family Drug Support are calling on all Governments (Federal, State & Territory) to immediately reconsider their positions on pill testing and support further trials around the country. Pill Testing Media Release 1 May 2018 […]

The harms resulting from cannabis prohibition are far greater than the harms resulting from cannabis itself as former US president Jimmy Carter observed: “Penalties against the use of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of a drug itself; and where they are they should be changed. […]

The policy is the first time a party with significant federal representation has backed full legalisation, providing a point of difference with the Coalition and Labor, which both support a scheme initiated in 2016 to legalise cannabis for medicinal use only. […]

The Greens say cannabis should be legalised and sold in plain packaging, with its wholesale distribution monopolised by a new government agency. The controversial policy, released by Greens leader Richard Di Natale on Monday, would ban sale to people under 18, prohibit advertising, and use tax revenue collected for drug treatment and education programs. […]