The Latest Breaking News from David Caldicott

Drug testing in Canberra reveals three recreational substances not previously seen in Australia

CanTEST facility also finds more than half of drugs tested were not what user expected, with ones similar to MDMA and potentially fatal ‘bath salts’

The Guardian - AU · Jan 15, 2024

Experts Have Renewed Calls To Legalise Pill Testing: Here’s How It Works & Where Things Are At

The Greens have renewed their calls for free pill testing, in an urge to the Victorian Labor Government to take up an offer to establish a free pill testing trial.

Pedestrian.tv · Nov 16, 2023

Seven psychoactive drugs detected in Australian wastewater for the first time

Drugs have previously been detected in other research but wastewater results suggest increasing consumption

The Guardian - AU · Apr 29, 2023

Queensland the first state to roll out pill testing

The clinical lead behind Canberra's community drug-checking site has lauded Queensland for introducing pill testing to reduce harm.

AAP · Feb 24, 2023

Dominic Perrottet’s hardline stance on drugs is ‘magical thinking’, says pill testing advocate

After the death of 26-year-old man at Sydney music festival, health expert says NSW premier’s unwavering stance is unrealistic

The Guardian - AU · Feb 14, 2023

World-first: Magic mushrooms and ecstasy get the thumbs up for clinical use

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved the use of magic mushrooms and ecstasy for mental health treatment.

The New Daily · Feb 5, 2023

Australia to allow prescription of MDMA and psilocybin for treatment-resistant mental illnesses

From July, authorised psychiatrists will be able to prescribe the drugs for post-traumatic stress disorder and severe depression

The Guardian - AU · Feb 3, 2023

Australia's first fixed pill testing service CanTEST discovers new drug, dubbed 'CanKet'

Australia's first fixed pill testing site has discovered a new recreational drug, similar to ketamine, not seen in the country before.

ABC News · Oct 18, 2022

Pill-testing scientists uncover new drug

Canberra scientists have located a ketamine-like substance, in what could be the first time the new recreational drug has been discovered.

AAP · Oct 18, 2022

Calls to expand Canberra's pill-testing regime to include cannabis grown in backyards

With cannabis now decriminalised for personal use in the ACT, there are growing calls by health professionals to examine which varieties of plants are being grown and how Canberrans are using them.

ABC News · Oct 6, 2022