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Cate Faehrmann: Why a lawmaker admitted to taking MDMA [*]
Australian Cate Faehrmann may be the world's first politician to admit to having used the illicit drug MDMA. The reaction in Australia, and globally, has surprised her, she tells Gary Nunn in Sydney.
Ms Faehrmann's admission, made in January, has come amid a fierce debate about introducing "pill testing" services in New South Wales (NSW). Five music festival-goers have died from suspected drug overdoses in NSW since September. It has prompted passionate calls for action - but state lawmakers are divided on what should be done.
Ms Faehrmann, 48, from the Greens party, argues that her opponents have a "limited understanding of the people they're needing to connect with". She says she has taken MDMA (known as ecstasy when in pill form) "occasionally" since her 20s. "I'm sitting here as a politician with more experience than anyone else in the building," she says, adding: "Maybe not - maybe I'm the only one being honest."
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is opposed to pill testing. She has said that "no evidence [has been] provided to the government" that it saves lives, and that testing would give drug users "a false sense of security".
[*] MDMA: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine:
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy (E), is a psychoactive drug primarily used as a recreational drug. The desired effects include altered sensations and increased energy, empathy, and pleasure. When taken by mouth, effects begin after 30–45 minutes and last 3–6 hours.
Cate Faehrmann, Gladys Berejiklian. Also check out: DanceSafe.
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(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Saturday April 13 2019, @02:12AM (1 child)
There are a few differences though. The chemist in the local drug store is licensed. Of course, one drug store may be more conscientious than another, but they actually have college behind them, and years of training. The drugs from the drug store generally come with sheets, indicating what they are, potential side effects, etc. If my prescription doesn't come with a sheet, I can ask for one, or I can look it up on the internet. I can be reasonably confident that the chemist is actually selling me what the label says.
If you grew up with your drug supplier, and he promises that the package he hands you contains Product X, then maybe you can trust him. If you have never met the guy before, what recourse do you have when your cannabis turns out to be oregano, or whatever? How do you know that your oregano doesn't have some other chemical added, to give it an extra "kick"? How do you know that some middleman didn't cut your stuff, and add some filler to make extra profit? And, what was the filler?
I'll "trust" the chemist much further than I'll trust some street pusher, thank you very much.
(Score: 2) by fritsd on Saturday April 13 2019, @07:38PM
Years ago, I read that Amsterdam youth gangs would buy a loaf of peperkoek [wikipedia.org], slice off the sticky dark brown skin, compress it a bit, and sell it to gullible drunk tourists as hash.
At least that wouldn't be poisonous (assuming the tourist isn't allergic to gluten or a diabetic, as peperkoek is extremely sweet).