NEWS: AMA calls for pill testing research

[johnboy]

This exclusive deserves its own thread. This is the press release we will be issuing tomorrow.

AMA calls for pill testing research

Information made available to Enlighten today is that the following resolution was passed by the Federal Council of the Australian Medical Association at their November 2005 meeting:

“That the AMA recognise that there is no data from Australia on the usefulness of ecstasy pill testing at large events, such as raves, as a harm minimisation strategy although there is evidence from Europe that it might reduce consumption, morbidity and mortality.

Therefore the AMA supports in principle targeted, ethically approved research to clarify if there is a role for pill testing within the Australian context.”

Enlighten supports a medically supervised trial of pill testing in Australia and would ask that both State and Federal governments support their work with the OzTox Collaboration to undertake this research.

Pill testing is an essential element of harm reduction. Harm reduction is a central tenet of the National Illicit Drug Strategy. The Commonwealths own Department of Health and Aging May 2004 report titled “The Prevention of Substance Use Risk and Harm in Australia” says:

“There is a need for more research and evaluation studies on the entire range of effects of on-site pill testing interventions.”

Enlighten, the AMA and the Federal government’s own reports agree; now is the time for that research.

For more information please contact:

Johnboy Davidson
Founding Member and Spokesperson
Enlighten Harm Reduction
[email protected]
www.enlighten.org.au
www.pillreports.com
mb: +61417351021

Dr. David Caldicott
Convenor, OzTox Collaboration
[email protected]
mb: +61404982582

 

[Sevoflurane]

You have got the ball rolling big time Johnboy and enlighten. Congratulations , this amount of coverage and reccommendations from a long established and respected organisation such as the AMA will ensure that this aspect of harm minimisation will not be swept under the rug for any longer. Again well done!

 

[hoptis]

Well done Enlighten

There are interesting parallels with the current debate about the availability of RU-486 as this is something the AMA do support and something I've seen Chris Pyne arguing against in the media.

I'll be keen to see if this development will draw comments from more senior Coalition members than the Parliamentary Secretary for Health. I think we've heard enough from him.

 

[BigTrancer]

This is great news!! Kudos to all involved in this change of paradigm.

BigTrancer

 

[katmeow]

I'll be keen to see if this development will draw comments from more senior Coalition members than the Parliamentary Secretary for Health. I think we've heard enough from him.

Amen to that... surely he's said enough on the subject

Promising news. I hope they some of the bright sparks in government will heed this message and take the necessary action to get the ball rolling on research.

 

[Cyberdyne]

Huge congratulations. Little doubting this will not move government at any level but will prove a massive boost to teh harm reduction arsenal.

 

[Bent Mk2]

Big ups to the whole Enlighten crew, well fucking done lads!

 

[NickyJ]

Very well done! :D

 

[ruski]

Yes, its rather good news.

 

[uni bum]

hooray for the shopkeep!

 

[eggman]

Congtrats Johnboy!

After the ever mounting load of BS that has been coming through over the last 7 days this is such a fantastic turn around.

Three cheers for enlighten

 

[eagle_eye]

Congrats to Johnny and all involved! Maybe this is the first step to some form of the softening of the stance on mdma. The AMA is a powerful organisation with friends in all the right places. Would be a good starting point...

 

[aunty establishment]

Good luck in taking this forward johnboy

 

[BongoBongo]

An extremely good break-through John.

It takes a great deal of effort, persistence, contact, education and hard work to further the developments of one's beliefs and bring them into line with the protocols of Governmental procedure. An interesting lobbing challenge considering the nature of the product your dealing with.....however if dovetailed with the current focus on OH&S..........!

I can see, first hand, the fruits of your efforts.

The bells of awareness will wake up the sleep of ignorance.......but just keep on ringing and ringing and ringing.

Despite the general perceptions of the Australian Federal Government, we do live in a Democracy and doors are open.