Oceania

Publications1 December 2024

'No penalties. No arrests. No jails': Perspectives on drug decriminalisation among people who inject drugs in Sydney

Dertadian and Sentas examine community members' drug policy preferences, noting widespread support for non-punitive responses, yet skepticism regarding politicians' capacity to effect change.

Events

Health and human rights summit: Advancing the wellbeing of people who use drugs

Adelaide, Australia

10 December 2024 - 11 December 2024

On 11th December in Adelaide, the Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) host an open forum event centring the health and human rights of people who use drugs.

News7 November 2024

It's been 12 months since small amounts of illicit drugs were decriminalised in the Australian Capital Territory

Despite initial reservations, rates of drug use have remained similar while access to harm reduction services has increased.

News16 October 2024

Australia: ‘People are dying’: Rise of nitazenes should be treated as pandemic, injecting centre head says

In light of the grave threats posed by nitazenes in Australia, experts call for political support and scaling-up of drug checking services to reduce fatalities.

Events

6th Asia Pacific Chemsex Symposium - APCS 2024

Bangkok, Thailand

6 November 2024 - 7 November 2024

APCS 2024 is hosted in Bangkok, this year the symposium will spotlight key populations, HIV/STI prevention, mental health, and harm reduction.

Events

Australia: National Harm Reduction Forum 2024

Online

28 August 2024

Join advocacy, policy and research stakeholders in important discussions on Australian harm reduction and drug policy reform, at Harm Reduction Australia's National Harm Reduction Forum 2024!

Publications12 August 2024

A health-based approach to drug harm in Aotearoa

The New Zealand Drug Foundation calls for increased funding for a health-based approach to drug use that emphasises support, legal reform and Māori inclusion.

News7 June 2024

Rates and causes of death after release from incarceration among 1 471 526 people in eight high-income and middle-income countries: an individual participant data meta-analysis

Borschmann et al. find that alcohol and other drug poisoning is the highest cause of death after release from incarceration, underscoring the importance of better transitional healthcare and reducing imprisonment.

News14 May 2024

New coalition calls for drug legalisation in Aotearoa/New Zealand

After decades of staggered drug policy progress in the nation, a new coalition mobilises to pressure national leaders towards rights-based drug law reform.

News8 May 2024

Australia: Experts warn of influx of synthetic opioids amid calls for second Melbourne injecting room

Former Aotearoa/New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark calls for investments in harm reduction and drug law reform to prevent rising harms related to nitazenes.

Publications7 March 2024

The coloniality of drug prohibition

Dertadian explores how prohibitionist policies serve as a colonial tool and calls to centre the experiences and knowledges of Indigenous and colonised peoples in drug policy scholarship.

News16 October 2023

Australia: NSW on-the-spot fines for drug use and possession a 'double-edged sword', expert says

While providing an avenue for non-criminalisation for first- and second-time possession offences, the hefty fines risk perpetuating the involvement of people who use drugs with the criminal legal system, particularly those most vulnerable.

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