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Welcome to DRUG FREE AUSTRALIA'S 



Monthly Update


APRIL 2023



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Australian research on cannabi


– a ‘wakeup call’ at the 

Commission on Narcotic Drugs –







Drug Free Australia’s affiliates have provided a real ‘wake up’ call at the United Nations’ 66th Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna this March.





The topic: 

Genotoxicity and Neurotoxicity of Cannabis


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The Dalgarno Institute has provided video footage of the presentations.


Cannabis Legalisation multiplying harms (Prof. John Toumourou)


Watch Video




Cannabinoid Neurotoxicity & Genotoxicity (Prof. Gary Hulse)


Watch Video









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VAPING – THE LATEST EVIDENCE – NOW ON THE DFA WEBSITE

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These current papers on Vaping are now in the Drug Free Australia Website Library.

1. Dr Murad Ibrahim, a respiratory specialist from Melbourne, presented the following information on vaping at a webinar on Tuesday January 31 for the Drug Advisory Council of Australia (DACA). DACA national president Jan Kronberg chaired the evening.


2. Evidence presented to the Queensland Health and Environment committee:



The unfettered vaping ‘black market’ in Queensland raises grave concerns of the number of school-aged children accessing vapes both online and via unscrupulous retailers only increasing the availability and prevalence of vaping devices. Among the many health concerns, is that vaping (far from being a smoking prevention mechanism) appears to be a “steppingstone to smoking” for younger Australians.


3. Vaping – Harm Reduction or Harm Promotion? Dalgarno Institute



UPDATE ON ROTARY’S NEW ACTION GROU


– ADDICTION PREVENTION





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What is Rotary Action Group – Addiction Prevention (RAG-AP)?


  • Rotary clubs, in partnership with local communities are,  and reduce drug addiction
  • RAG-AP helps to form links with Rotary clubs and community groups such as schools, sporting clubs and agencies to provide resources to keep communities healthier and safer.



Word is Spreading


Addiction Prevention material was introduced (and received well) at the recent South Australian Rotary District Assembly – (below)




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Further up-coming opportunities to find out more (for both Rotary members and community representatives) will be available at the following:

  • 27-31 May: International Rotary Convention, Melbourne: a wide range of resources will be on display for registered Rotary members and the launch of a high impact new book: “the Addiction Industry’, by Elaine Walters OAM, will be launched.
  • 3 June: Rotary South Australia’s Expo at Bonython Hall, Adelaide University

For more information go to: Homepage | Rag AP (rag-ap.org) and scroll down to the webinar or Contact Jo or Herschel: admin@drugfree.org.au





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If you’re officially addicted to marijuana, you’re going to have trouble quitting — no matter who you are. Despite what some marijuana advocates claim, withdrawal can cause intense physical and psychological effects that make stopping the use of marijuana very difficult.



Symptoms may include, in alphabetical order: Abdominal pain, Aggression, Anger, Anorexia, Anxiety, Depression, Headaches, Insomnia, Irritability, Restlessness, Vomiting



Collectively, these symptoms comprise what mental health professionals call “cannabis withdrawal syndrome,” or CWS. They consider CWS “a diagnostic indicator of cannabis use disorder,” which includes both people addicted to cannabis and those dependent on it. One Harvard Medical School meta-analysis put its prevalence at 47% for quitters.



Sometimes these withdrawal symptoms can prove so uncomfortable or painful that the only way to feel better is to go back to using. This is why some teens think marijuana “helps” them, when they are just using their drug of addiction, which relieves their symptoms. Just like if you’re addicted to nicotine and try to go “cold turkey,” you’ll feel bad, but if you use again, you’ll magically be “better.” This is an obvious sign of addiction.



However, you can manage CWS symptoms, though not very well, according to Harvard. You can try psychiatric treatment, specifically cognitive behavioural therapy, or your doctor can treat your CWS with medications. But all these medications have side effects, so none of them seem to be a good solution.



Good options seem to be exercise, therapy, support groups such as marijuana anonymous, hobbies, and generally staying busy and distracted. If you are unable to quit on your own, consider a residential treatment centre to help you detox and develop new habits. If you’re suffering from CWS, don’t give up! It’s tough no matter what. You may have to grin and bear it for a month while the THC clears your system, but you can defeat CWS if you stay sober after that.



Source: What Happens When a Teen is Addicted to Marijuana and Tries to Stop? • Johnny's Ambassadors (johnnysambassadors.org)









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DRUG PREVENTION EDUCATION


OPTIONS FOR SCHOOLS IN 2023



SAVE YOUR BRAIN WEBSITE



VISIT THE SAVE YOUR BRAIN WEBSITE


Free - Online, age-appropriate drug prevention for schools for Years 5-12


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VISIT THE SAVE YOUR BRAIN WEBSITE




YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS





SIDE EFFECT Teen Drug Prevention & Effects | Sideffect


Sideffect was born out of that understanding, that our youth need to be educated on substance use and be empowered to make informed decisions, with the help of parents, teachers, and their community.

Visit Synthetic Drug Education | Sideffect
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#NotEvenOnce® TeenChallenge Tasmania – school WEBINARS

https://www.teenchallengetasmania.org/notevenonce-projects

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The Daesy program Drug and Alcohol Program Supporting Youth

Daesy (kerrynredpath.com.au)

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WCTU for primary school students, Melbourne



DFK Home Page

Books available on the website:

Available at DFA Website
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION

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Visit Drug Free Australia Website
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Major Brain Watters, AO, President, Drug Free Australia sincerely thanks all who have made donations to the important work of drug use prevention. All such donations are tax-deductible.



Web: https://drugfree.org.au/index.php/about-dfa/donations



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