Unharm in Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia | Non-profit organisation

Unharm

Locality: Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia

Phone: +61 402 409 753

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25.01.2022 The prohibition of MDMA and psilocybin is under review by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration. Its considering rescheduling both substances to make them more accessible for medical research. Public submissions are open until the end of the month.

25.01.2022 Recent data shows drug use among Aussie parents is on the rise. Meanwhile, use among teens has dropped by more than half. We break down the stats and take a look why more Boomers are dabbling in drug use these days.

25.01.2022 Hey look a NSW government minister actually said something sensible about police powers. Now lets make sure they back it up with action.

24.01.2022 Lawyer Sam Lee and the Redfern Legal Centre have be doing exceptional work, trying to end the abuse of strip search powers by NSW police. Check out this great interview for an update on the campaign.

23.01.2022 Cannabis legalisation in Aotearoa/New Zealand will put huge pressure on Australian governments to follow suit. *Today* you can help make it happen with a donation to the On our terms campaign run by the NZ Drug Foundation. With just hours to go, they are close to a huge $150K fundraising target. The money will go to pro-legalisation advertising across NZ media in the lead up to the cannabis legalisation referendum this November. ... Can you help get them over the line?

22.01.2022 Could MDMA-assisted therapy soon be accessible in Australia? The Therapeutic Goods Administration is weighing up proposal that would make it easier for doctors here to prescribe MDMA and psilocybin for therapeutic use.

22.01.2022 Its good to see NSW Health starting to test MDMA and make information about it accessible to the public. This is why we need publicly accessible pill testing services too.

22.01.2022 New Zealanders will vote in a referendum on cannabis legalisation on October 17. Right now polls say the vote is too close to call. If they win, we all win. With more than half a million New Zealanders live in Australia, you probably know one. Remind them to register to vote, and of course, vote yes!

21.01.2022 Three times now the Liberal/National party has asked the senate to support its plan to drug test jobseekers. Three times now the senate has shut it down. Drug testing jobseekers is an idea thats heavy on ideology, and light on sense. Punishing people experiencing addiction, and stigmatising people looking for work are callous ideas that play well in Murdoch media, and damagingly in peoples lives. Senator Jacqui Lambie has rightly called attention to something more important...: properly funding addiction treatment services. Right now, one in two people who need help are turned away. Over the years many people and organisations including Unharm have teamed up to shut down this shit idea. This time round, special mention should go to the Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League - AIVL for impressive organising behind the scenes.

20.01.2022 Public discussion of drugs are dominated by often-overstated claims of risk and harm. #thankyouplantmedicine is a global initiative to restore some balance and honesty. Its a mass movement of people sharing stories about how they have benefited from plant medicines and psychedelics. Today February 20 is the global launch - check the website for great tips on how to come out safely and effectively, and for stories from thousands of people around the world.

20.01.2022 The NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller responded today to the Coroners recent criticism of fear-based policing. Fuller thinks fear is actually good for you. This is in a state where fear of police operations has caused drug-related deaths at music festivals, and Aboriginal children as young as 10 are targeted for illegal strip searches. ... Its a crucial moment to push back against this toxic leadership. On Saturday, come be part of a huge show of grassroots power at the protest kicking off at 2pm at Town Hall, Sydney. Lets make sure Fuller and the NSW Government understand that we wont accept divisive and damaging policing in this state.

20.01.2022 Everyone deserves dignity and respect.

20.01.2022 Christian organisation Uniting has just published a detailed plan to decriminalise drug use in NSW and the ACT. Read the full story below.

19.01.2022 We need to change the conversation about drugs in Australia! Real solutions need the participation of people directly involved. That is why Unharm have launched Story Lab - a national program that brings more honest and diverse stories to the forefront. If your lived experience challenges mainstream narratives about drugs apply to become a storyteller today. APPLY NOW: https://www.unharm.org/storylab

19.01.2022 The International Drug Policy Consortium has just released a report that defines 20 principles for responsible regulation of cannabis. What do you think of their list? See the comments for a link to the full report.

19.01.2022 Substances that remain illegal to possess in Australia are bringing positive effects to people, including those suffering from trauma and mental illness. https://www.abc.net.au//psychedelics-therapeutic-/13112074

19.01.2022 Want to be a part of a movement that talks honestly about the full spectrum of possibilities of drugs? Story Lab is the project for you! We know a lot of Australians use drugs safely and enjoy the experience. We know policing and punishment only increase risk and makes things worse. We know that people, families and communities look out for themselves and each other. If youre ready to start having an honest conversation about drugs in Australia, apply to become a storyteller today! Get in quick - applications close in 5 days! APPLY NOW: https://www.unharm.org/storylab

19.01.2022 Do you have accounting and governance skills? Want to extend your expertise outside your day-to-day work, and help make drug use legal, positive and safe? Unharm is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified people to join our Board of Directors, as treasurer. The treasurer role oversees the financial administration of the organisation, reviews procedures and financial reporting, presents financial reports at board meetings and advises the board on financial stra...tegy. The treasurer role requires knowledge of accounting and of the laws governing the organisations operation. Unharm is based in Sydney but board meetings can be held via videoconference so applicants from other location are very welcome. This is a non-executive, voluntary role. You can find a full description of the role and information about how to apply via the link .

18.01.2022 Drug use among Aussie Boomers is on the rise while more teens go sober. Read the full article on the Unharm blog at https://bit.ly/3oQuoMO

17.01.2022 Prohibitionist politicians in NSW now want the police to search people without a warrant. It's the same old story. Their answer to the failure of prohibition is to give police more and more powers, undermining basic principles of justice. Drug use happens throughout society, but it's always people on the margins who are targeted for punishment.

17.01.2022 Sydney people! Want to hear some ideas about sex and drugs? As part of the Mardi Gras festival, the UNSW Centre for Social Research in Health presents this lecture and panel discussion about sex and drugs. True story! Its free but you must register to attend - hit the link below.

17.01.2022 The NSW coroner has made sensible recommendations after listening to families, experts, and the community. People like us are going to have to stand up and demand common sense from our Premier. Safety starts with making careful decisions, and its time for the Premier to get on board.

17.01.2022 Unharm is launching Story Lab a training program for eight people in NSW to share their experiences that will help shift the story about drugs in Australia. We are looking for eight people from diverse backgrounds with experiences of drugs that can break the stereotypes we keep hearing from politicians and mainstream media. Through Story Lab you will receive media training, legal support and a platform to share your experience with thousands of Australians. Can you share your story?

17.01.2022 Ready to start a new conversation about drugs in Australia? Applications for Story Lab close today! Drug use is a subject that demands honesty, respect, empathy and compassion. For too long drugs have been confined to the shadows - out of fear, shame stigma and embarrassment. Together we can change this. APPLY NOW BEFORE ITS TOO LATE: unharm.org/storylab

16.01.2022 Victorias High Alert is re-launching as a coalition of activists to provide ongoing scrutiny to the use of sniffer dogs and provide accurate information so that people can understand and assert their legal rights. Head along to the relaunch on January 17 to learn about your rights, and stay for the party.

15.01.2022 Unharm is on the hunt for an administrative officer. This is a 0.25 FTE / 9.5 hours a week paid role for an initial term of 12 months. The salary package is $20,000 p/a including 9.5% superannuation and pro-rata leave. The role includes board administration, basic financial management, office administration and fundraising event management. Check out the job listing on Ethical Jobs for all the details about the role and how to apply. THE ORGANISATION...Continue reading

15.01.2022 Oregon is the first U.S. state to decriminalise personal possession for ALL drugs - showing the world that prohibition is a losing battle. On the Unharm blog we take a look at how the law came about and what impact it will have on the state.

15.01.2022 The Loop Australia lab launched yesterday with the Tam family and a training event for chemists in Brisbane. The lab integrates five analytical processes to provide precise information about the contents and purity of drugs. The Loop now has the people and equipment to provide publicly accessible pill testing services in Australia.... In 2018 Unharm supporters helped launch The Loop Australia and train over one hundred chemists and health care professionals. Now that visions been backed as well by Sydneys Vasudhara Foundation and The Pavetta Foundation in Brisbane, and the ongoing support of The Loop UK. 2020, a new chapter!

15.01.2022 Prohibition has always been used to target minorities, even inside the police force. That makes this victory all the sweeter. In 2015, Newtown Superintendent Simon Hardman forced four police officers to submit to ongoing drug tests ... because they were gay. NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller refused to even investigate when the four cops complained. So they took it to court - and won.

15.01.2022 Tired of seeing the same old stories about drug use? You can now help start a new conversation about drugs - from your living room. Story Lab will now be run entirely via digital technologies. This means that you can now apply to be a storyteller no matter where you live in Australia! By sharing your story you can help shift the conversation, elevate the voices of people directly affected by drug policy, and set the scene for policies that promote wellbeing, not fear. With your help we can start a new conversation, and a better future.

14.01.2022 NSW Ice Inquiry report, just published, recommends decriminalisation of drug use - a welcome step forward! The Health ministers press release ruled out accepting other recommendations (including substance checking i.e. pill testing ), but decriminalisation is under consideration by the government.

12.01.2022 Fear is forced, respect is earned. Dismissing the NSW Coroners recent recommendations, the Police Commissioner said reducing the number of strip searches would create a generation of kids that have no respect for authority. They need to have respect and a little bit of fear of law enforcement, he said.... In an opinion piece published today, former Australian Federal Police chief Mick Palmer stated the obvious: the Commissioners aspiration to have a generation of kids fear the police is frankly frightening. The Coroner relied on evidence in making her recommendations. The Commissioner doesnt seem to have relied on anything other than his own refusal to listen. Thats frankly frightening too, and no basis for respect. This cant go on. Come join the protest, this Saturday from 2pm at Sydneys Town Hall.

12.01.2022 Overall, the big takeaways from the report are that: - Young people listened to the advice they were given about what was in their drugs - It gave authorities some new information about what kind of drugs and dangerous chemicals are on the market - There was great collaboration between police, the festival and the testing organisers...

12.01.2022 Solid summary of the situation

12.01.2022 Why come out about your positive experiences with drugs? Carl Hart -> I can live more honestly. I can look in the mirror. My children can have an example of what courage looks like in real time, not in history. It’s possible I’ll get some flak from my university, my employers. Such is life. Anything worth having in my mind, particularly something important, there is risk attached to it. Here’s the bottom line: over my more than 25-year career, I have discovered that most drug-use scenarios cause little or no harm and that some reasonable drug-use scenarios are actually beneficial for human health and functioning.

11.01.2022 It's hug a Kiwi day - they might be feeling a little down because NZ will not be legalising cannabis this year. It's just been announced that the Yes vote narrowly lost in the recent NZ referendum on cannabis legalisation. It's a bad result but there's still a lot to learn from the really impressive work done to develop the draft referendum and run a great campaign.

11.01.2022 No no no, not ok

10.01.2022 Cannabis legalisation in Australia just reached a tipping point - support beats opposition in the latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey. This is a national survey of over 22,000 Australians, conducted in 2019. The report was released today https://bit.ly/3929xzW 41% of people said they supported legalisation of cannabis. This is up from 27% of people 15 years ago. Opposition to legalisation has dropped from 54% to just 37%.

10.01.2022 The prohibition of MDMA and psilocybin is under review by the Australian Therapeutic Good Administration. Its considering rescheduling both substances to make them more accessible for medical research. Public submissions are open until the end of the month.

10.01.2022 Ending illegal strip searches and drug detection operations will make public places safer for everyone. Pill testing helps people make more careful decisions about drugs. Theres only one sensible side in this debate. to the hundreds who turned out in Sydney yesterday to show the Premier this issue is staying on the agenda - until we win!

08.01.2022 Voters in the US State of Oregon have voted in favour of a law change that will see criminal penalties eliminated for personal possession of drugs and a big increase in funding for drug treatment services. This votes means Oregon will become the first US state to adopt ‘Portugal-style’ decriminalisation of drug use.

08.01.2022 MDMA was legal in Australia in 1986 - could it be legal again soon? Read the full article at https://bit.ly/3koK2wx

06.01.2022 Tomorrow, New Zealand will announce the results of the referendum to legalise cannabis. So what would a 'yes' vote look like? We break down exactly what legalisation would mean for New Zealanders.

05.01.2022 Have you been strip-searched in NSW? Theres a good chance that search was illegal. Redfern Legal Centre has teamed up with class action experts Slater and Gordon Lawyers to develop a class action against unlawful police strip search searches in NSW. If youve been strip-searched, register your interest in participating in a class action here: www.slatergordon.com.au/stripsearch

05.01.2022 Between 2001 and 2019, NSW Police increased its annual expenditure by more than two billion dollars. Last year NSW police spent $3,774,991,000. Thats up from $1,542,653,000 in 2001.... This is despite the fact that in most major categories, the amount of crime in NSW has been decreasing since the 1990s. https://bit.ly/3hujGJw A couple of the ways police have been using that extra capacity have been protecting statues, and turning up to music festivals in huge numbers. They have also been arresting more and more people for carrying a small quantity of drugs, like cannabis: up from 9,886 arrests in 2006 up to 27,295 in 2018. Australian drug laws were racist right from the start. https://bit.ly/2AoXgIX Now, when an Indigenous person is found with a small quantity of cannabis, NSW police are much more likely to send them to court. https://bit.ly/30EqEW9 Did you know that theres a direct link between the USAs discriminatory policing practices and over-funding, and NSW? In the early 2000s, NSW Police chief Andrew Scipione learnt broken windows policing from US police chief William Bratton. https://bit.ly/3e1yRYe When he was police chief in New York and LA, Bratton introduced intensive policing of minority communities with stop and frisk. We are seeing those lessons applied here in NSW, as Indigenous communities are over-policed, and police budgets are overstuffed. Yes its time to #defundthepolice and be real about the fact that #blacklivesmatter. These NSW communities are already showing the way. https://bit.ly/37Dqv73

05.01.2022 Another tragedy brought to you by Berejiklians festival safety strategy. She cant keep ignoring the Coroners carefully considered recommendations from the recent festivals inquest. Send her a message today - https://www.nsw.gov.au/contact-us/contact-the-premier/

03.01.2022 125,000 people have backed the petition for pill testing. Now join the protest on Saturday, 2pm at Sydney Town Hall, for pill testing and police reform. Pill testing helps people make more careful decisions about drugs. Ending illegal strip searches and drug detection operations will make public places safer. Theres only one sensible side in this debate. Come show the Premier this issue is staying on the agenda - until we win!

03.01.2022 People have used drugs for healing, ceremony and celebration for thousands of years. Its time to bring that out into the light. This article summarises an emerging understanding of some of the positive potentials of psychedelics. Its part of an important shift into a more honest dialogue about drugs. I certainly wouldnt say that psychedelics are a panacea that is single-handedly going to save the world. But perhaps, if cautiously used under the right circumstances, they could be part of and contribute to an overall greater level of awareness. Ultimately, were all completely dependent on each other, were on this planet together, trying to figure out how to ultimately survive and thrive, and I think these profound mystical experiences, however they might be occasioned, can perhaps help point us in the right direction.

02.01.2022 A major Queensland government body has called for the legalisation of MDMA and Queensland Labor supports pill testing and drug law reform. With Labor back in power, what’s ahead in drug policy for the Sunshine State?

02.01.2022 This is what its come to - NSW: The Strip-Search State. - Attend a peaceful demonstration. Get strip-searched. - Be Aboriginal. Get strip-searched.... - Go to a music festival. Get strip-searched. And the Police Commissioner thinks its good for you. This cant go on. Come join the protest, Sydney Town Hall from 2pm this Saturday, to keep your body safe from the people who are meant to protect us. h/t Fiona Kelly McGregor