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  • AADD Moderators: swilow | Vagabond696

Australian centric "Pro drug law reform" thread - how to do your bit

I'm reading a book by Dr Stephen Juan titled "The Odd Brain". In it, he references several articles highlighting that not only humans, but also animals use drugs. For example, "Birds fall for alcohol and many have been captured and murdered in traps baited with alcohol ... Many people who have kept starlings for pets have observed their attraction to wines and other alcoholic drinks ... Raccoons have been known to seek out the alcohol readily and eagerly if only provided with the opportunity to do so. they will even open bottles an dpull out corks for themselves."

Apparently, "[t]he pig's passion for truffles is based upon the fact that truffles contain a steroid, androstenol, which is synthesised in the testes of the boar and transferred to the salivary gland, from which it is secreted during pre-mating behaviour. Androstenol makes boars more sexually active [like viagra] and tends to immobilise the sow in a mating stance."

Similarly, Koalas are dependent "on the potentially dangerous chemicals contained in gum leaves. Gum leaves contain a mix of toxic prussic and hydrocyanic acids. These have anaesthetic and germicidal properties, which Aborigninal Australians have long known about, and also can cool or warm the body temperature. In cold climates, koalas 'choose leaves with phellandrene, a compound that increases body temperature, but in warmer environments they pick leaves with cineole, the oil that decreases temperature."

Primates too, "will show a remarkable drive to intoxicate themselves even in a roomy laboratory cage. Whether for reasons of exploration, curiosity, stimulation, tranquillization, dispelling boredom, or depression laboratoory primates have willingly pursued a vast array of intoxicants when given the opportunity."

I don't know about you, but I found this reading quite interesting.
 
"Birds fall for alcohol and many have been captured and murdered in traps baited with alcohol ... Many people who have kept starlings for pets have observed their attraction to wines and other alcoholic drinks ... Raccoons have been known to seek out the alcohol readily and eagerly if only provided with the opportunity to do so. they will even open bottles an dpull out corks for themselves."
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I've not heard of the book, nor the author but I doubt the validity of this. In relation to alcohol at least.

From memory (what month is it again?) I was taught in a pharmacology lecture one time, that in studies of addiction alcohol was one of the very few recreational drugs where lab rats did not display compulsive redosing. For example the cage water contains the drug and if the rat is seen to repeditively drink from it despite any real need for water - then this drug is seen as addictive.

Rats apparantly did not go back for more alcohol. Dont blame them really =D
 
L3inad said:
I've not heard of the book, nor the author but I doubt the validity of this. In relation to alcohol at least.

From memory (what month is it again?) I was taught in a pharmacology lecture one time, that in studies of addiction alcohol was one of the very few recreational drugs where lab rats did not display compulsive redosing. For example the cage water contains the drug and if the rat is seen to repeditively drink from it despite any real need for water - then this drug is seen as addictive.

Rats apparantly did not go back for more alcohol. Dont blame them really =D
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See. Juan, S. (1998 ). The Odd Brain: mysteries of our weird and wonderful brains explained. Sydney, Australia: HarperCollins Publishers (at chp 11 'The euphoric brain).
Note: the author seems to quote from another source: Siegal, R. (1989). Intoxication: Life in Pursuit of Artificial Paradise. New York, USA: E.P. Dutton. See http://www.amazon.com/Intoxication-Life-Pursuit-Artificial-Paradise/dp/0671691929
The author highlights that Siegal is a professor of psychopharmacology at the University of California. However, as the book was written some time ago, I doubt that is still the case.

For a copy of the book "The Odd Brain" go to http://www.amazon.com/Odd-Brain-Mysteries-Wonderful-Explained/dp/0740761595

PS. All this said, if you read Publishers Weekly commentary on Juan's book (see the above amazon address), they seem be suspicious of some of Juan's theorising and interpretations. Being a lawyer, as oppose to a scientist, I'm not able to determine the truth of Siegal's findings one way or another. In any case, I refer you to my original post, "I don't know about you, but I found this reading quite interesting."

PPS, I also remember my father telling me a long time ago about how he would have to give the pulp/mash/leftover from the wine making process to the pigs (He grew up on a farm in the 'old country' where they made plum brandy/wine etc and had pigs). He told me that the pigs loved the stuff. They would eat everything. After eating they would stagger around in the sty, happy as larry, looking for a place to sleep.
 
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I just found an interesting video on drug law reform by the Centre for Independent Studies. Speakers include Dr Alex Wodak of St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, and former US police officer and current LEAP member, Norm Stromer. Watch the lecture at http://vimeo.com/7283106
 
Interestingly, I've heard that the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Attorney-General and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Material, Liberal Senator Gary Humphries, is also a member of the Australian Parliamentary Group for Drug Law Reform.

On the chance that the Liberals win the next election, the Senator's position as Parliamentary Secretary to the would be Attorney-General, would place him in a good position to influence drug policy.

I guess we can only wait and see.
 
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^ That's interesting to hear... and some quick googling seems to confirm that he does indeed believe treating drug use as a crime does not have a good effect on society or on influencing drug use in general.
 
Me thinks i have many letters to write to many many MP's I'l take it to the prime minister if i have to. You know the one that we didnt vote for and dont want running this country?:!
 
Family and Friends for Drug Law Reform are hosting a public meeting in Caberra on the 17th November,2011 at the Reception room of the ACT Legislative Assembly at 12.30pm. Greens member, Amanda Bresnan will be the guest speaker, as too, will Dr Caitlin Hughes, criminologist and Research Fellow at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. For more details see this flyer http://www.ffdlr.org.au/forums/docs/Caitlin Hughes 2011.pdf
 
The feds and states won't do shit -until they are so broke (in about 5-10 years from now) they will suddenly 'discover' that harm reduction and de-crimming is the way to go.

Around the same time, they'll impose tobacco-like taxes, or higher, much higher, painfully higher; levy's on just about everything -except the blatantly obvious 'leg-opener' chems. which will still be 'controlled'. (if you see the irony of this statement as you read this with a glass of vintage 'leg opener' in one hand, forgive me, I don't make the sexually paranoid laws, I'm only forced to vote for the dickwits that do).

Why the change of heart? Because there will be no other way left to squeeze joe public for any more money to finance their zombie kingdoms. They're already going after what's left of your super... and cleverly, but not cleverly enough- making it look like they're doing us all a big favour -the swine.

And you can take this prediction to the bank!:\
 
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Seth_Heinmann said:
Interestingly, I've heard that the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Attorney-General and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Material, Liberal Senator Gary Humphries, is also a member of the Australian Parliamentary Group for Drug Law Reform.

On the chance that the Liberals win the next election, the Senator's position as Parliamentary Secretary to the would be Attorney-General, would place him in a good position to influence drug policy.

I guess we can only wait and see.
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Are you a budding or closet polly Seth? Your use of formal parliamentary titles in your post would indicate that possibility. Either way, your faith in the Liberals -The Liberals as drug reformers? Good grief! is heartbreakingly naive. Even Bob Brown will not go near this if he got in, and neither would Fiona Patten of Sex Party fame. These people would drop their idealism quicker than you can say 'Obama'.

The ONLY way to change them is to change societys' views RADICALLY, and good luck with that, all the sheeple want is for mortgage rates to stay barely payable, and they'll put up with almost any other police-statism, if they think it will stop their shitty little ticky-tacky mcmansion from being burgled -and their plasma screen/ipad/xbox/beer fridge being knocked off.

Of course once The Greatest Depression really gets underway, that may change (see my post above) but by then, food will matter more than a fix; for most BL'rs anyway.
 
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What we really need is to get the mainstream newspapers on side. Unfortunately, the Murdoch press corps, which owns nearly all the big newspapers in Australia, refuses to jump on board. This said, the Fairfax press (The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age) are much more open to progressive views.

Does anyone have any ideas on how we could 'win over' the conservative Murdoch press?

On another note,

UQNormal have called a meeting to discuss the future of drug policy beyond Prohibition: Models of Drug Regulation on November 27 at the Brisbane Square Library.

Speakers:
John Jiggens (Cannabis Research Watch)
John Ransley (Civil Liberties Council)
Tirikite Toker (Musicians for Drug Law Reform)
Robert Nixon (NORML)

Tiered Theaterette,
Brisbane Square library
3-5pm Sunday 27 November.

Contact Dr John Jiggens (07)38787459
 
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Ha, no I'm neither. Though I have worked as an advocate within the not-for-profit sector. My time as an advocate taught me that one should try and play political parties off each other (eg. Say I'm working for a drug reform organisation and current drug laws are harsh. When meeting with members of the opposition party I would ask them what will they do to fix problem ABC in regards to current drug laws? If they want my organisation's support, then they will give me the types of answers I want to hear).

I've also found that the organisations with the biggest influence on politics are those with a lot of members (I remember once at a meeting with a government minister and their team, one of the minister's first questions was 'how many members do you have in your organisation? Luckily for the organisation, they had a lot). This, sadly, is another reason why drug reform is so hard. Organisations like LEAP Australia and the Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation just don't have enough members (ie. voters) for pollies to give a damn. By joining such organisations, drug reform can become an important issue for the wider society.

The reason I use politicians full titles is for clarity for the reader.

I agree that no political party is likely to make much change to drug policies in the near future. However, I am an optimist. Only by proactively engaging with ALL POLITICAL PARTIES, and engaging in any other legitimate means of garnering public support will laws change.
 
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Thanks for this Seth, I might give Dr John a call and see if I need to arrange seats beforehand. :)

Seth_Heinmann said:
What we really need is to get the mainstream newspapers on side. Unfortunately, the Murdoch press corps, which owns nearly all the big newspapers in Australia, refuses to jump on board. This said, the Fairfax press (The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age) are much more open to progressive views.

Does anyone have any ideas on how we could 'win over' the conservative Murdoch press?

On another note,

UQNormal have called a meeting to discuss the future of drug policy beyond Prohibition: Models of Drug Regulation on November 27 at the Brisbane Square Library.

Speakers:
John Jiggens (Cannabis Research Watch)
John Ransley (Civil Liberties Council)
Tirikite Toker (Musicians for Drug Law Reform)
Robert Nixon (NORML)

Tiered Theaterette,
Brisbane Square library
3-5pm Sunday 27 November.

Contact Dr John Jiggens (07)38787459
Click to expand...
 
A report from Harm Reduction International has found that there are 149.591 injecting drug users in Australia.

The report also states that, while harm reduction policies are in place in Australia which help drug users in broader Australian society (eg. needle exhanges), Australian prisoners do not have access to needle exchanges. This people are clearly at risk of HIV and/or Hep C infection. See http://www.ihra.net/oceania
 
Oh fuck I just realized I can't go to the conference because I have to go to my mother's wedding... and I haven't prepared shit for whatever I am supposed to do at the ceremony ha ha
 
What we need is some Australian celebrities to get on board the cause. Famous musicians, actors/actresses supporting such a cause such as ours would be a great way to get it on the public agenda. This has already been done in the UK by the musician, Sting, who publically supports drug law reform.

This suggestion might also be something for drug law reform organisations to also consider.
 
^ That is a good idea... I wonder what Australian celebrities would be most likely to get behind the cause?
 
I emailed the journalist, Tracey Spicer, recently, as she has publicly shown support for allowing for medical marajuana (her mother, dying of cancer, asked her to procure some for her). I tried to persuade her to interview people like Dr Alex Wodak and organisations such as LEAP Australia. However, I never got a reply.

A part from her, I don't know any other Aussie celebrity who might consider supporting our cause.
 
Australian Government has no soul. We belong to America. Australia does not make any decisions, and is quickly becoming more and more corrupt. I mean, check J.G with the carbon tax. That is a disgrace.

Our lives are already regulated, controlled. And don't forget in Australia we do not have a bill of rights. They are now ignorantly trying to ban tree's containing DMT here in Australia. Not realising that it is SO native that it's absolutely everywhere and criminalising it would intale going into honest peoples backyards and ripping out their giant trees.

Make no mistake. Our government has NO idea what it is doing and do not bother having faith in it. And it is becoming more and more clear as the years go on. Have faith in eachother.
 
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