Criminalising cannabis:How Australia’s war on weed hurts the poor

Criminalising cannabis:How Australia’s war on weed hurts the poor

Most cannabis possession arrests happen in Victoria’s poorest suburbs and towns. A new approach is needed,says the Penington Institute.

  • byClay Lucas

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Australian drug ‘kingpin’ Vaso Ulic arrested in Montenegro
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Crime

Australian drug ‘kingpin’ Vaso Ulic arrested in Montenegro

The 65-year-old is alleged to have masterminded an attempt to move almost 2.5 tonnes of cocaine from South America to Australia and Europe.

  • bySally Rawsthorne andPerry Duffin
These bagels are illegal in South Korea

These bagels are illegal in South Korea

A Trader Joe’s seasoning blend has garnered a cult following around the world. But travellers arriving in Seoul have little chance of getting it past customs.

  • byEve Sampson
The NSW workers who should be searched for drugs

The NSW workers who should be searched for drugs

While prison visitors are now routinely scanned for drugs,guards may be the weak link in the system,the NSW inspector of Custodial Services says.

  • byChristopher Harris
Colombia is facing a new problem:too much cocaine

Colombia is facing a new problem:too much cocaine

Unsold blocks of coca paste are piling up across Colombia and it’s the families that pick the raw coca leaves that are suffering most.

  • byGenevieve Glatsky
Dramatic sting at Sydney’s new urban surf pool catches alleged drug importer

Dramatic sting at Sydney’s new urban surf pool catches alleged drug importer

The Californian man allegedly thought he was importing millions of dollars worth of drugs into Sydney,before police pounced in front of afternoon wave riders.

  • bySally Rawsthorne
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Synthetic opioid detected in four found dead in Broadmeadows
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Tragedy

Synthetic opioid detected in four found dead in Broadmeadows

The director of drug harm reduction charity warned the deaths were “a major wake-up call” as medical professionals fear an opioid crisis could engulf Australia like it has overseas.

  • byLachlan Abbott
Cocaine sold in Melbourne contains opioid 100 times more potent than heroin

Cocaine sold in Melbourne contains opioid 100 times more potent than heroin

Victoria’s Health Department has warned that a white powder sold as cocaine contains a potentially lethal opioid that has caused “recent serious harms in Melbourne”.

  • byLachlan Abbott
I know what it’s like to be the politician’s son who makes mistakes. I wouldn’t wish it on Tom Dutton

I know what it’s like to be the politician’s son who makes mistakes. I wouldn’t wish it on Tom Dutton

When a photo of the opposition leader’s 18-year-old son made headlines last week,I immediately felt so sorry for him. Unfortunately,I know exactly what it’s like to go through that.

  • byNick Bracks
The hidden costs that are killing live music festivals

The hidden costs that are killing live music festivals

Pill testing could make attendance at music festivals and events much safer – but it could dramatically increase the financial risk borne by festivals.

  • byKarl Quinn
The inside story of Labor’s sudden change of heart on pill testing

The inside story of Labor’s sudden change of heart on pill testing

Under Daniel Andrews,pill testing was a non-starter. Jacinta Allan made it permanent within months. Summer overdoses were a big reason why.

  • byRachel Eddie