Pill testing clinic set for entertainment hotspot

A pill testing clinic under construction in the heart of a major shopping and entertainment precinct is set to open its doors within months.
The service at Brunswick Street in Fitzroy in inner Melbourne will be near public transport, busy nightlife venues, healthcare providers, social services and housing commission towers.
Open Thursday to Saturday, it allows users to check if their illicit drugs contain extra dangerous ingredients, following a trial of mobile sites at music festivals.
The anonymous service is open to people of any age and results should be returned within 20 minutes.
"It's great that people can test the drugs that they're going to be taking any way to make sure that everyone's safe," local hairdresser Carly Allen told AAP.
Her business Fawn Studio is next door and Ms Allen said people from "lots of different walks of life" visit the street so she wasn't concerned it would attract drug users.
"These are people who are trying to be conscious with what they're doing and there's a service that can make it safe for them so I feel fine about that," she added.
Another business owner told AAP they noticed more drug users in area in recent years and called on authorities to do more to protect locals, including more police.
It is not a criminal offence for drug-checking facility clients to possess small amounts of illicit substances but Victoria Police has warned drug traffickers can be charged no matter where they operate.
"Officers will not be attending the fixed site unless responding to incidents requiring police attendance," a spokesperson said.
"Police will continue to enforce against drug offences away from the drug-checking place and seize any illicit substances."
Mental health and brain sciences expert Dr Amie Hayley said it would provide a reliable, judgement-free space where people could make informed choices about their drug use.
"The location is very appropriate - close to Melbourne nightlife and able to capture vulnerable members of our community," the Swinburne University senior research fellow said.
City of Yarra mayor Steven Jolly, who represents a ward in Fitzroy, said he had "zero push back" from residents.
Most pills, capsules, powders, crystals and liquids can be tested for highly dangerous synthetic opioids including fentanyl and Nitazenes, which can be fatal.
The results offer real-time drug market surveillance so health authorities can assess new types of synthetic drugs in circulation.
On top of substance checking, the clinic will offer medical and social services support from the Youth Support and Advocacy Service, The Loop Australia and Harm Reduction Victoria.
Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said the service was about saving lives.
"No drug is safe but with testing and open, health-focused conversations, we are helping Victorians make more informed and safer choices," she said.
Opposition Leader Brad Battin described pill testing as a "flawed" concept and pushed for resources to be directed at rehabilitation services instead.
"We need to focus more on prevention and education, on giving people a pathway out of drug use, not a path further into it," Mr Battin said.
MDMA, ketamine and cocaine were the main drugs detected from some 1400 samples tested at the trial at five music festivals over summer.
Two-thirds of users said it was their first time having a conversation with a health professional about drug harm reduction and more than 30 per cent said they would take a smaller amount.
Australia's first fixed-site drug checking service opened in Canberra in 2022.
A pill testing clinic under construction in the heart of a major shopping and entertainment precinct is set to open its doors within months.
The service at Brunswick Street in Fitzroy in inner Melbourne will be near public transport, busy nightlife venues, healthcare providers, social services and housing commission towers.
Open Thursday to Saturday, it allows users to check if their illicit drugs contain extra dangerous ingredients, following a trial of mobile sites at music festivals.
The anonymous service is open to people of any age and results should be returned within 20 minutes.
"It's great that people can test the drugs that they're going to be taking any way to make sure that everyone's safe," local hairdresser Carly Allen told AAP.
Her business Fawn Studio is next door and Ms Allen said people from "lots of different walks of life" visit the street so she wasn't concerned it would attract drug users.
"These are people who are trying to be conscious with what they're doing and there's a service that can make it safe for them so I feel fine about that," she added.
Another business owner told AAP they noticed more drug users in area in recent years and called on authorities to do more to protect locals, including more police.
It is not a criminal offence for drug-checking facility clients to possess small amounts of illicit substances but Victoria Police has warned drug traffickers can be charged no matter where they operate.
"Officers will not be attending the fixed site unless responding to incidents requiring police attendance," a spokesperson said.
"Police will continue to enforce against drug offences away from the drug-checking place and seize any illicit substances."
Mental health and brain sciences expert Dr Amie Hayley said it would provide a reliable, judgement-free space where people could make informed choices about their drug use.
"The location is very appropriate - close to Melbourne nightlife and able to capture vulnerable members of our community," the Swinburne University senior research fellow said.
City of Yarra mayor Steven Jolly, who represents a ward in Fitzroy, said he had "zero push back" from residents.
Most pills, capsules, powders, crystals and liquids can be tested for highly dangerous synthetic opioids including fentanyl and Nitazenes, which can be fatal.
The results offer real-time drug market surveillance so health authorities can assess new types of synthetic drugs in circulation.
On top of substance checking, the clinic will offer medical and social services support from the Youth Support and Advocacy Service, The Loop Australia and Harm Reduction Victoria.
Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said the service was about saving lives.
"No drug is safe but with testing and open, health-focused conversations, we are helping Victorians make more informed and safer choices," she said.
Opposition Leader Brad Battin described pill testing as a "flawed" concept and pushed for resources to be directed at rehabilitation services instead.
"We need to focus more on prevention and education, on giving people a pathway out of drug use, not a path further into it," Mr Battin said.
MDMA, ketamine and cocaine were the main drugs detected from some 1400 samples tested at the trial at five music festivals over summer.
Two-thirds of users said it was their first time having a conversation with a health professional about drug harm reduction and more than 30 per cent said they would take a smaller amount.
Australia's first fixed-site drug checking service opened in Canberra in 2022.
A pill testing clinic under construction in the heart of a major shopping and entertainment precinct is set to open its doors within months.
The service at Brunswick Street in Fitzroy in inner Melbourne will be near public transport, busy nightlife venues, healthcare providers, social services and housing commission towers.
Open Thursday to Saturday, it allows users to check if their illicit drugs contain extra dangerous ingredients, following a trial of mobile sites at music festivals.
The anonymous service is open to people of any age and results should be returned within 20 minutes.
"It's great that people can test the drugs that they're going to be taking any way to make sure that everyone's safe," local hairdresser Carly Allen told AAP.
Her business Fawn Studio is next door and Ms Allen said people from "lots of different walks of life" visit the street so she wasn't concerned it would attract drug users.
"These are people who are trying to be conscious with what they're doing and there's a service that can make it safe for them so I feel fine about that," she added.
Another business owner told AAP they noticed more drug users in area in recent years and called on authorities to do more to protect locals, including more police.
It is not a criminal offence for drug-checking facility clients to possess small amounts of illicit substances but Victoria Police has warned drug traffickers can be charged no matter where they operate.
"Officers will not be attending the fixed site unless responding to incidents requiring police attendance," a spokesperson said.
"Police will continue to enforce against drug offences away from the drug-checking place and seize any illicit substances."
Mental health and brain sciences expert Dr Amie Hayley said it would provide a reliable, judgement-free space where people could make informed choices about their drug use.
"The location is very appropriate - close to Melbourne nightlife and able to capture vulnerable members of our community," the Swinburne University senior research fellow said.
City of Yarra mayor Steven Jolly, who represents a ward in Fitzroy, said he had "zero push back" from residents.
Most pills, capsules, powders, crystals and liquids can be tested for highly dangerous synthetic opioids including fentanyl and Nitazenes, which can be fatal.
The results offer real-time drug market surveillance so health authorities can assess new types of synthetic drugs in circulation.
On top of substance checking, the clinic will offer medical and social services support from the Youth Support and Advocacy Service, The Loop Australia and Harm Reduction Victoria.
Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said the service was about saving lives.
"No drug is safe but with testing and open, health-focused conversations, we are helping Victorians make more informed and safer choices," she said.
Opposition Leader Brad Battin described pill testing as a "flawed" concept and pushed for resources to be directed at rehabilitation services instead.
"We need to focus more on prevention and education, on giving people a pathway out of drug use, not a path further into it," Mr Battin said.
MDMA, ketamine and cocaine were the main drugs detected from some 1400 samples tested at the trial at five music festivals over summer.
Two-thirds of users said it was their first time having a conversation with a health professional about drug harm reduction and more than 30 per cent said they would take a smaller amount.
Australia's first fixed-site drug checking service opened in Canberra in 2022.
A pill testing clinic under construction in the heart of a major shopping and entertainment precinct is set to open its doors within months.
The service at Brunswick Street in Fitzroy in inner Melbourne will be near public transport, busy nightlife venues, healthcare providers, social services and housing commission towers.
Open Thursday to Saturday, it allows users to check if their illicit drugs contain extra dangerous ingredients, following a trial of mobile sites at music festivals.
The anonymous service is open to people of any age and results should be returned within 20 minutes.
"It's great that people can test the drugs that they're going to be taking any way to make sure that everyone's safe," local hairdresser Carly Allen told AAP.
Her business Fawn Studio is next door and Ms Allen said people from "lots of different walks of life" visit the street so she wasn't concerned it would attract drug users.
"These are people who are trying to be conscious with what they're doing and there's a service that can make it safe for them so I feel fine about that," she added.
Another business owner told AAP they noticed more drug users in area in recent years and called on authorities to do more to protect locals, including more police.
It is not a criminal offence for drug-checking facility clients to possess small amounts of illicit substances but Victoria Police has warned drug traffickers can be charged no matter where they operate.
"Officers will not be attending the fixed site unless responding to incidents requiring police attendance," a spokesperson said.
"Police will continue to enforce against drug offences away from the drug-checking place and seize any illicit substances."
Mental health and brain sciences expert Dr Amie Hayley said it would provide a reliable, judgement-free space where people could make informed choices about their drug use.
"The location is very appropriate - close to Melbourne nightlife and able to capture vulnerable members of our community," the Swinburne University senior research fellow said.
City of Yarra mayor Steven Jolly, who represents a ward in Fitzroy, said he had "zero push back" from residents.
Most pills, capsules, powders, crystals and liquids can be tested for highly dangerous synthetic opioids including fentanyl and Nitazenes, which can be fatal.
The results offer real-time drug market surveillance so health authorities can assess new types of synthetic drugs in circulation.
On top of substance checking, the clinic will offer medical and social services support from the Youth Support and Advocacy Service, The Loop Australia and Harm Reduction Victoria.
Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said the service was about saving lives.
"No drug is safe but with testing and open, health-focused conversations, we are helping Victorians make more informed and safer choices," she said.
Opposition Leader Brad Battin described pill testing as a "flawed" concept and pushed for resources to be directed at rehabilitation services instead.
"We need to focus more on prevention and education, on giving people a pathway out of drug use, not a path further into it," Mr Battin said.
MDMA, ketamine and cocaine were the main drugs detected from some 1400 samples tested at the trial at five music festivals over summer.
Two-thirds of users said it was their first time having a conversation with a health professional about drug harm reduction and more than 30 per cent said they would take a smaller amount.
Australia's first fixed-site drug checking service opened in Canberra in 2022.

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Soccer headers alter brains, adding to dementia fears

The Advertiser

3 days ago

The Advertiser

Soccer headers alter brains, adding to dementia fears

Heading a soccer ball alters brain chemistry, but more studies are needed to prove if the activity can be clearly linked to dementia, researchers have found. World-leading research driven by Sydney University showed "subtle but measurable" effects when players headed a ball 20 times in as many minutes. They also found elevated levels of two proteins considered biomarkers of brain injury and future dementia risk. Although the effects were far smaller than in conditions such as dementia, study co-author Danielle McCartney said the findings were enough to prompt further thought about what damage the activity was doing to brains. "Our research adds to a growing body of work suggesting that non-concussive impacts like soccer heading do have subtle effects on the brain," she told AAP. "But the clinical and long-term significance of these effects require further study." The study involved adult male soccer players repeatedly heading a ball before brain assessments were performed using MRI facilities, while blood and cognitive-function testing was also carried out. Results were compared with when participants kicked the ball instead. It was the first randomised controlled trial measuring the impact of heading through MRI scans. While no cognitive impairment was found, the effects were viewed as enough to suggest players should limit how often they head a ball. "Our findings do indicate we need to exercise caution when it comes to heading, and probably be looking for opportunities to limit exposure," Dr McCartney said. "Our research would probably suggest extensive heading during training sessions, for example, is not advisable." International studies have found footballers are more likely to develop dementia than the rest of the population, while others have shown that goalkeepers, who do not often head the ball, are less likely to suffer brain disease than outfield players. Former journeyman English footballer Dean Windass has been public with his stage-two dementia battle, with the 56-year-old revealing a consultant told him a career of heading the ball was likely to have contributed to his diagnosis. Governing bodies in some countries have banned heading in training among junior ranks, including in England, where it is not permitted until a limited amount at the under-12 level. At the professional ranks, the English Premier League recommends players only head the ball 10 times at one training session per week. Football Australia recently appointed an expert team, including their chief medical officer, to consider recommendations around heading. "The project team will consider a Football Australia expert working group's suggestions on strategies to reduce the incidence, magnitude and burden of heading in youth football commencing with a comprehensive literature review," a spokesman told AAP. The governing body does not yet have guidelines on heading at the youth level, but the spokesman said gameplay tweaks - including a smaller field, no throw-ins and a requirement for goalkeepers to roll or throw the ball - reduced heading. Heading a soccer ball alters brain chemistry, but more studies are needed to prove if the activity can be clearly linked to dementia, researchers have found. World-leading research driven by Sydney University showed "subtle but measurable" effects when players headed a ball 20 times in as many minutes. They also found elevated levels of two proteins considered biomarkers of brain injury and future dementia risk. Although the effects were far smaller than in conditions such as dementia, study co-author Danielle McCartney said the findings were enough to prompt further thought about what damage the activity was doing to brains. "Our research adds to a growing body of work suggesting that non-concussive impacts like soccer heading do have subtle effects on the brain," she told AAP. "But the clinical and long-term significance of these effects require further study." The study involved adult male soccer players repeatedly heading a ball before brain assessments were performed using MRI facilities, while blood and cognitive-function testing was also carried out. Results were compared with when participants kicked the ball instead. It was the first randomised controlled trial measuring the impact of heading through MRI scans. While no cognitive impairment was found, the effects were viewed as enough to suggest players should limit how often they head a ball. "Our findings do indicate we need to exercise caution when it comes to heading, and probably be looking for opportunities to limit exposure," Dr McCartney said. "Our research would probably suggest extensive heading during training sessions, for example, is not advisable." International studies have found footballers are more likely to develop dementia than the rest of the population, while others have shown that goalkeepers, who do not often head the ball, are less likely to suffer brain disease than outfield players. Former journeyman English footballer Dean Windass has been public with his stage-two dementia battle, with the 56-year-old revealing a consultant told him a career of heading the ball was likely to have contributed to his diagnosis. Governing bodies in some countries have banned heading in training among junior ranks, including in England, where it is not permitted until a limited amount at the under-12 level. At the professional ranks, the English Premier League recommends players only head the ball 10 times at one training session per week. Football Australia recently appointed an expert team, including their chief medical officer, to consider recommendations around heading. "The project team will consider a Football Australia expert working group's suggestions on strategies to reduce the incidence, magnitude and burden of heading in youth football commencing with a comprehensive literature review," a spokesman told AAP. The governing body does not yet have guidelines on heading at the youth level, but the spokesman said gameplay tweaks - including a smaller field, no throw-ins and a requirement for goalkeepers to roll or throw the ball - reduced heading. Heading a soccer ball alters brain chemistry, but more studies are needed to prove if the activity can be clearly linked to dementia, researchers have found. World-leading research driven by Sydney University showed "subtle but measurable" effects when players headed a ball 20 times in as many minutes. They also found elevated levels of two proteins considered biomarkers of brain injury and future dementia risk. Although the effects were far smaller than in conditions such as dementia, study co-author Danielle McCartney said the findings were enough to prompt further thought about what damage the activity was doing to brains. "Our research adds to a growing body of work suggesting that non-concussive impacts like soccer heading do have subtle effects on the brain," she told AAP. "But the clinical and long-term significance of these effects require further study." The study involved adult male soccer players repeatedly heading a ball before brain assessments were performed using MRI facilities, while blood and cognitive-function testing was also carried out. Results were compared with when participants kicked the ball instead. It was the first randomised controlled trial measuring the impact of heading through MRI scans. While no cognitive impairment was found, the effects were viewed as enough to suggest players should limit how often they head a ball. "Our findings do indicate we need to exercise caution when it comes to heading, and probably be looking for opportunities to limit exposure," Dr McCartney said. "Our research would probably suggest extensive heading during training sessions, for example, is not advisable." International studies have found footballers are more likely to develop dementia than the rest of the population, while others have shown that goalkeepers, who do not often head the ball, are less likely to suffer brain disease than outfield players. Former journeyman English footballer Dean Windass has been public with his stage-two dementia battle, with the 56-year-old revealing a consultant told him a career of heading the ball was likely to have contributed to his diagnosis. Governing bodies in some countries have banned heading in training among junior ranks, including in England, where it is not permitted until a limited amount at the under-12 level. At the professional ranks, the English Premier League recommends players only head the ball 10 times at one training session per week. Football Australia recently appointed an expert team, including their chief medical officer, to consider recommendations around heading. "The project team will consider a Football Australia expert working group's suggestions on strategies to reduce the incidence, magnitude and burden of heading in youth football commencing with a comprehensive literature review," a spokesman told AAP. The governing body does not yet have guidelines on heading at the youth level, but the spokesman said gameplay tweaks - including a smaller field, no throw-ins and a requirement for goalkeepers to roll or throw the ball - reduced heading. Heading a soccer ball alters brain chemistry, but more studies are needed to prove if the activity can be clearly linked to dementia, researchers have found. World-leading research driven by Sydney University showed "subtle but measurable" effects when players headed a ball 20 times in as many minutes. They also found elevated levels of two proteins considered biomarkers of brain injury and future dementia risk. Although the effects were far smaller than in conditions such as dementia, study co-author Danielle McCartney said the findings were enough to prompt further thought about what damage the activity was doing to brains. "Our research adds to a growing body of work suggesting that non-concussive impacts like soccer heading do have subtle effects on the brain," she told AAP. "But the clinical and long-term significance of these effects require further study." The study involved adult male soccer players repeatedly heading a ball before brain assessments were performed using MRI facilities, while blood and cognitive-function testing was also carried out. Results were compared with when participants kicked the ball instead. It was the first randomised controlled trial measuring the impact of heading through MRI scans. While no cognitive impairment was found, the effects were viewed as enough to suggest players should limit how often they head a ball. "Our findings do indicate we need to exercise caution when it comes to heading, and probably be looking for opportunities to limit exposure," Dr McCartney said. "Our research would probably suggest extensive heading during training sessions, for example, is not advisable." International studies have found footballers are more likely to develop dementia than the rest of the population, while others have shown that goalkeepers, who do not often head the ball, are less likely to suffer brain disease than outfield players. Former journeyman English footballer Dean Windass has been public with his stage-two dementia battle, with the 56-year-old revealing a consultant told him a career of heading the ball was likely to have contributed to his diagnosis. Governing bodies in some countries have banned heading in training among junior ranks, including in England, where it is not permitted until a limited amount at the under-12 level. At the professional ranks, the English Premier League recommends players only head the ball 10 times at one training session per week. Football Australia recently appointed an expert team, including their chief medical officer, to consider recommendations around heading. "The project team will consider a Football Australia expert working group's suggestions on strategies to reduce the incidence, magnitude and burden of heading in youth football commencing with a comprehensive literature review," a spokesman told AAP. The governing body does not yet have guidelines on heading at the youth level, but the spokesman said gameplay tweaks - including a smaller field, no throw-ins and a requirement for goalkeepers to roll or throw the ball - reduced heading.