Drug reform
- Exclusive
- Queensland government
Watchdog’s silence on controversial government bill sparks alarm
New human rights boss Debbie Platz declined to publicly weigh in on the LNP’s proposed drug crackdown and new police power expansion.
- Matt Dennien
Latest
- Analysis
- Drugs
After six decades of the war on drugs, what works?
The US and its allies have spilled blood and treasure to kill kingpins and defeat cartels, but the products keep coming and the new groups are more violent than ever.
- Maria Abi-Habib
‘Pick between driving or treating yourself’: Calls for change to zero-tolerance laws
In some states, medicinal cannabis users who return positive roadside drug tests are allowed a medical defence. It’s a different story in Queensland.
- Courtney Kruk
- Exclusive
- Queensland government
Key public servant speaks out on ‘alarming’ health program ban
School-leavers will descend on the Gold Coast later this week. The lack of drug-checking services for them – and the state – has driven one bureaucrat to act.
- Matt Dennien
- Exclusive
- Perth
The WA government is asking whether cannabis should be legalised. Will it listen?
The Mental Health Commission asked the question as part of its 2025 Drug Attitudes survey, but a WA MP said the response from residents was rarely acted on.
- Hannah Murphy
- ★★
- Review
Treading a perilous line between science and shamanism
Edge of Life is a documentary probably best left to the true believers.
- Jake Wilson
NSW was promised sweeping drug law changes. But these things won’t happen
Decisions have been made about strip-searches and sniffer dogs at music festivals, and how to handle drivers with a medicinal cannabis prescription.
- Angus Thomson and Jessica McSweeney
Health body calls for urgent talks as pill-testing ban looms
Advocates say the government is rushing through “irreversible legislative changes that could put Queensland lives at risk”.
- Courtney Kruk
Drug overdoses spike in those over 40, shows new data
Overdoses among young people are falling but fatalities are soaring among the over-40s.
- Madeleine Heffernan
Government vows to end pill testing, despite private funding
The Crisafulli government has vowed to shut down a free pill testing service, which had been funded by the previous Labor administration, after it secured private funding to continue its services.
- Cameron Atfield