Topics

Image of young drug takers 'wrong' June 23, 2004 NEW anti-drug campaigns must reflect the fact young drug takers were often professional types who believed they could manage the risks, a researcher said today. An Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) study of nightclub patrons found more than half of the 380 people surveyed in Melbourne had tried ecstasy, cocaine, speed or ice. More than 75 per cent knew regular users, it found. ADF research director Cameron Duff said drug use was now very much in the mainstream, and the image of young drug takers as dysfunctional, unemployed or delinquent was wrong. The study found more than 90 per cent of respondents worked or stu…

Gaol sentence appealed Thursday, 24 June 2004 ATTEMPTING to smuggle a small amount of cannabis into Bathurst gaol for a friend has landed Edward John Quinn a five month's spell in gaol., However Quinn, 37, from Tumut Place, St Clair, immediately appealed the severity of the sentence in Bathurst Local Court this week and was granted bail until his appeal is heard in the District Court at a date to be set., Quinn was charged with taking 3.8g of cannabis into Bathurst Correctional Centre on April 10., When asked by Magistrate Alan Clarke why he tried to smuggle the drugs into gaol, Quinn said "it was a dumb thing to do”., "That's the understatement of the year,” Mr Clarke …

An elderly Perth couple has been given a 16-month suspended jail term after being convicted of possessing cannabis with intent to supply. Last week, 81-year-old David Davies and his 77-year-old wife, Florence, were found guilty of the charge following a police raid on their home in 2002 in which 19 kilograms of cannabis were discovered. The haul was valued at more than $250,000. During the trial the couple's son said he had placed the drugs in his parents' home without their knowledge. Past News on This Topic Author: ABC Date: 08/06/04 Source: ABC News Copyright: 2004 Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org Pubdate: Monday 21 June 2004 Source: Northern Territory News Author: Lorelei Fong Lim Copyright: 2004 Northern Territory News Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au Url: http://www.ntnews.com.au New police dogs to sniff out drug deals The Northern Territory Police force is to get a drug-detection dog unit, despite a rejection by Cabinet of the proposal more than a year ago. Such a drug dog unit was a recommendation of last year's O'Sullivan report into the police service. Cabinet rejected the drug dog unit in March last year. But after the August publication of the O'Sullivan report, the Territory Government committed to implementing al…

MORE than 9000 motorists will be randomly tested for drugs in a world-first initiative by Victoria Police. The test, which uses a saliva swab to test for cannabis and methamphetamine (or speed), is expected to hit the streets on July 1. Like random breath-testing for alcohol, police will not need reasonable suspicion to drug-test drivers - a fact that sets Victoria apart from European countries where the test is done. "This is unique legislation," said Inspector Martin Boorman. The random drug-testing would be used as a public deterrent but, he said, police would particularly focus on drivers of heavy vehicles and areas where raves and dance parties take place. …

A French secondary-school student was taken into custody by police after giving his German teacher and several students a cake laced with cannabis, police sources in the city of Meaux said on Thursday. The teacher and the students who tasted the so-called "space cake" last week became lightly intoxicated and had to be treated in hospital. The 17-year-old student who baked the cake was questioned early on Thursday. Administering harmful substances is a misdemeanour punishable by up to three years in prison. Author: Sapa-dpa Date: 06/06/04 Source: IOL Copyright: IOL

Two Southern California high school students were arrested for allegedly giving a marijuana-laced cookie to a Chino Hills teacher who collapsed in class, officials said. The boys, both 17, were arrested Thursday at Ayala High School after the 53-year-old U.S. history teacher ate the cookie and collapsed during class May 28. They face felony charges related to poisoning, authorities said Friday. The teacher, identified as Frank Palminteri, spent several days in the hospital but has since been discharged and is recovering at home, said Julie Gobin, spokeswoman for Chino Valley Unified School District. Palminteri declined to comment. The two high school seniors were…

Secret military courts have handed out more than 300 drug convictions to defence personnel over a three-year period, Australian Defence Force documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws reveal. In 2003 alone, the ADF launched almost 1000 separate investigations into drug abuse by serving members, the documents reveal. The documents also warn the ADF's anti-drugs policy could fall into disrepute because civil authorities may fail to prosecute personnel who are caught with less than a "traffickable quantity of illegal drugs". Most investigations involve soldiers or sailors, with only a tiny fraction ultimately referred to civilian police, the documents show. …

World News > England fans free to smoke dope London, June 11 (IANS) : England soccer fans will now be allowed to smoke dope before a crunch clash with France in Portugal Sunday - to keep them calm! Lisbon Police plan to crack down on drunk supporters while turning a blind eye to those smoking drugs, The Sun reported. Drug smoking fans have been assured they will not be arrested, cautioned or even have their drugs confiscated, the paper said. Experts said Lisbon police's policy would reduce the chances of fighting between rival fans. Alan Buffry of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance said: "If people are drinking alcohol they lose control, if they smoke cannabi…