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takyon [soylentnews.org] writes:

Cate Faehrmann: Why a lawmaker admitted to taking MDMA [bbc.com]

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".

Cate Faehrmann [wikipedia.org], Gladys Berejiklian [wikipedia.org], MDMA/ecstasy [wikipedia.org]. Also check out: DanceSafe [dancesafe.org].

Related: Research Into Psychedelics Continues [soylentnews.org]
FDA Designates MDMA as a "Breakthrough Therapy" for PTSD; Approves Phase 3 Trials [soylentnews.org]
Scientists Give MDMA to an Octopus [soylentnews.org]

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