drugs – Page 2 – Openforum https://www.openforum.com.au Open Forum offers an independent platform for Australian debate Wed, 27 Mar 2024 21:57:31 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.25 Heartburn drugs can do more harm than good https://www.openforum.com.au/heartburn-drugs-can-do-more-harm-than-good/ Thu, 24 Oct 2019 20:05:19 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=24193 A new UNSW study has found that national initiatives were unsuccessful in reducing prolonged use of anti-acid medicines for gastrointestinal acid-related disorders and more targeted interventions are needed.

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The facts about meth addiction https://www.openforum.com.au/the-facts-about-meth-addiction/ Fri, 11 Oct 2019 20:05:30 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=23915 Methamphetamine (“Ice”) is an extremely addictive stimulant that causes a multitude of severe health problems. It is perhaps the most damaging illegal drug used in Australia, but individual users can recover with the proper support over time.

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It’s time to tackle our opioid problem https://www.openforum.com.au/its-time-to-tackle-our-opioid-problem/ Sun, 22 Sep 2019 20:51:47 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=23558 The abuse of opioids, both legal and illegal, has been a problem in Australia for decades, but the rise of drugs such as fentanyl means they must be tackled with renewed urgency.

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How reliable are roadside drug tests? https://www.openforum.com.au/how-reliable-are-roadside-drug-tests/ Sat, 21 Sep 2019 21:42:21 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=23465 Thousands of people are prosecuted every year in Australia for cannabis use while driving, however research at the University of Sydney suggests the test isn't as accurate as thought.

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Why you’re (probably) not allergic to penicillin https://www.openforum.com.au/why-youre-probably-not-allergic-to-penicillin/ Sun, 28 Apr 2019 23:36:32 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=20708 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.

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It’s high time to reform the drug laws https://www.openforum.com.au/its-high-time-to-reform-the-drug-laws/ https://www.openforum.com.au/its-high-time-to-reform-the-drug-laws/#comments Sat, 27 Apr 2019 00:43:15 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=20430 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.

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Southeast Asia’s looming drug crisis threatens regional security https://www.openforum.com.au/southeast-asias-looming-drug-crisis-threatens-regional-security/ Tue, 19 Mar 2019 20:51:22 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19974 The regional drug crisis provides an opportunity for Australia to work with ASEAN authorities to strengthen border controls and disrupt illicit drug supply chains.

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Drug companies stay coy about safety https://www.openforum.com.au/drug-companies-stay-coy-about-safety/ Fri, 08 Mar 2019 20:54:22 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19821 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.

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Australia needs a new strategy to deal with illicit drug use https://www.openforum.com.au/australia-needs-a-new-strategy-to-deal-with-illicit-drug-use/ Wed, 06 Mar 2019 20:00:32 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19640 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.

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America’s opioid epidemic is starting to hit Australia’s shores https://www.openforum.com.au/americas-opioid-epidemic-is-starting-to-hit-australias-shores/ Thu, 14 Feb 2019 19:49:03 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19409 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.

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Festival drug deaths should spark a deeper debate https://www.openforum.com.au/festival-drug-deaths-should-spark-a-deeper-debate/ Mon, 11 Feb 2019 21:37:53 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19320 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.

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Australia needs stronger pharmaceutical transparency rules https://www.openforum.com.au/australia-needs-stronger-pharmaceutical-transparency-rules/ Fri, 08 Feb 2019 22:01:46 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=19337 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.

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