Why you’re (probably) not allergic to penicillin

Are you allergic to penicillin? Perhaps you have a friend or relative who is? With about one in ten people reporting a penicillin allergy, that’s not altogether surprising, but in reality only 1 person in 50 actually is intolerant of this life saving drug.

It’s high time to reform the drug laws

The decriminalisation of drug possession for personal use would reduce, rather than increase, the social harm caused by drugs and should be discussed at the forthcoming federal election.

Southeast Asia’s looming drug crisis threatens regional security

The regional drug crisis provides an opportunity for Australia to work with ASEAN authorities to strengthen border controls and disrupt illicit drug supply chains.

Drug companies stay coy about safety

Should new safety warnings about the potentially serious harmful effects of medicines be considered ‘confidential business information’? University of Sydney researchers make a case for stronger regulation and full ongoing public access.

Australia needs a new strategy to deal with illicit drug use

Australia’s first responders are dealing with an ever-growing number of drug emergencies and the problem of addiction to prescribed opioids is also on the rise.

America’s opioid epidemic is starting to hit Australia’s shores

The stereotype of a typical drug addict is out of date. Rather than a destitute urban heroin addict, today’s drug users tend to be mainstream, suburban and regional and are dependent on pharmaceutical opioids such as OxyContin.

Festival drug deaths should spark a deeper debate

The latest deaths of young people at music festivals have sparked an overdue public debate on drug harm reduction, zero tolerance of drug use, and pill testing but a broader discussion on the strategic challenges of reducing the supply of drugs is required.

Australia needs stronger pharmaceutical transparency rules

Researchers warn Australian pharmaceutical companies are no longer required to publicly disclose many payments to the health sector, and advocate for US-style legislation to ensure full and long-lasting transparency.

Tackling the Australian “ice” epidemic

The Australian “Ice Epidemic” presents considerable risks to not only the individual user, but their families, friends, and entire communities in Australia, but collective action can help to tackle the issue.

Methamphetamine and alcohol remain Australia’s problem drugs

Methamphetamine was the leading drug problem for the seventh year running according to a report by Odyssey House NSW, one of Australia’s largest alcohol and drug treatment services.

Drugs in our waterways, the bugs and beyond

Medicines designed for humans are finding their way into our rivers and streams and are accumulating in insects and their predators with potentially damaging effects on the food chain.

5 ways to mitigate drug and alcohol cravings

Practicing healthy habits helps improve everyone’s well-being, but can be especially helpful to people struggle to recover from drug and alcohol addictions. When we look after ourselves and find find pleasure in mundane daily tasks, anxiety over uncontrollable stressors – and the risk of relapse – lowers substantially.