New paper encourages rethink on failed cannabis policy, calls for reform to reduce community harms
Download paper “Australia’s current policy approach to cannabis is a three-fold disaster.” That is the damning conclusion reached in Penington Institute’s latest discussion paper Cannabis Regulation in Australia: Putting community safety first, published on 24 July 2024. The paper examines the implications of government policy towards Australia’s illicit cannabis market, which is estimated at over $5 billion […]
Cocaine adulterated with protonitazene
On Monday July 1 Penington Institute issued an alert to our national and state harm reduction network warning that there have been recent overdoses due to protonitazene toxicity in the Melbourne area drug supply. On Tuesday morning Victoria’s Department of Health also issued a warning that a white powder being sold in Melbourne as cocaine […]
Herald Sun: Time to turn a new leaf on cannabis
Cannabis policy reform is long overdue, says John Ryan, CEO of Penington Institute. Here, he explains why decriminalisation and a regulated cannabis market is the best way forward for Australia. This piece was originally published in the Herald Sun on Saturday 22 June, 2024 (download pdf). By John Ryan It doesn’t make many headlines but […]
Pill testing trial will reduce overdoses and save lives
Penington Institute welcomes the announcement by the State Government that it will trial drug checking in Victoria. Penington Institute CEO John Ryan agreed with Premier Jacinta Allan that drug checking is “a simple and commonsense way to save lives”. “We applaud the government for acting on the evidence. This is an appropriate harm minimisation approach,’’ […]
Global Perspectives on Australia’s Cannabis Future series: In Conversation with Professor Jonathan Caulkins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJCTH7wzE6s Catch up on the fifth and final webinar in our Global Perspectives on Australia’s Cannabis Future series: In conversation with Professor Jonathan Caulkins, recorded live on 13 June 2024. In this much anticipated webinar, we welcome Professor Caulkins to join us in conversation to explore the criminal justice aspects of regulated cannabis markets. We […]
Cathinones: A session for frontline workers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1kuBrvDGs0 Download the presentation slides and catch up on our webinar on-demand now for essential information on cathinones. Understanding cathinones, and how they’re increasingly being detected in stimulant-type substances such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA, is vital for anyone who works with people who use drugs. Cathinone is a psychoactive compound isolated from the Khat […]
Penington Institute releases early snapshot of Australia’s latest overdose data
With new data revealing Australia’s overdose death rate is continuing to rise, our overdose snapshot shows we have no time to waste in taking action on overdose in our communities. Penington Institute’s new report, ‘Overdose Early Warning Snapshot’, is an early look at the data that will form the basis of our annual overdose report, […]
How medicinal cannabis can play a role in treating cannabis use disorder
Addiction medicine specialist Professor Nick Lintzeris shares expert insights on the role of medicinal cannabis as a treatment approach for cannabis use disorder. Australia is at the forefront of research examining the role of medicinal cannabis as a treatment approach for people living with cannabis use disorder (CUD). Professor Nick Lintzeris, from the University of […]
The Guardian: ‘Will cost lives’: addiction experts condemn decision to scrap proposed safe injecting room in Melbourne’s CBD
In an article published in The Guardian, Penington Institute CEO John Ryan responds to the Victorian Government’s decision not to proceed with a proposed safe injecting room in Melbourne’s CBD. The article, written by Victorian state correspondent Benita Kolovos, follows the State Government’s announcement on Tuesday that the trial facility would not go ahead – […]
Second Melbourne injecting site scrapped: Penington Institute calls for more consultation in government’s ‘statewide action plan’
Penington Institute has expressed its disappointment that the State Government will not follow through on its long-standing commitment to trial a second safe injecting facility in Melbourne. But Penington Institute CEO John Ryan welcomed the government’s decision to invest in a $95.11 million ‘statewide action plan’ that includes wraparound support services in two CBD locations. […]