News and Media Releases

Unexpected substances found in 1-in-5 drug samples as new Australian research backs wider drug checking
September 23, 2026
Uniting welcomes festival drug checking, but says access must go beyond the festival gates
September 2, 2026
Seven Australians die from overdose everyday – these deaths can be prevented
August 31, 2026
I thought I was heading straight to court for my drug use, I had no idea a health pathway even existed.
July 29, 2026
Support Don’t Punish 2026: NSW Budget misses chance to deliver Drug Summit reforms as overdose rates hit record high
June 26, 2026
NSW Budget fails to act on Drug Summit priorities, thousands wait for support
June 24, 2026
BOCSAR evaluation of the NSW Early Drug Diversion Initiative (EDDI) shows we really need a better EDDI
March 30, 2026
As the Early Drug Diversion Initiative (EDDI) turns two, the people of NSW still await meaningful changes to our drug laws
February 27, 2026
BLOG: Is an apology still an apology if the harm persists?
February 11, 2026
BLOG: Fair Treatment Reflection – First Nations Perspective
January 30, 2026
Burnet Institute analysis on safe injecting services in the ACT shows they will save dollars and lives
January 28, 2026
Results of Australia’s first injectable opioid treatment trial announced at 2025 APSAD conference
November 11, 2025
NSW Government squibs it in their response to the NSW Drug Summit Report
October 28, 2025
The community and sector come together in Canberra to remember the lives lost to overdose
October 27, 2025
We need evidence-based health policy on drug use in the ACT – not political games
October 21, 2025
Time’s nearly up Premier – Uniting calls for response to the NSW Drug Summit Report
September 24, 2025
MSIC’s Art from the Heart of the Cross exhibition opens in Sydney
September 19, 2025
New Penington report highlights overdose crisis as we mark International Overdose Awareness Day
August 29, 2025
Uniting NSW.ACT: “Canberra urgently needs supervised injecting services to help keep people safe”
July 14, 2025
Police Diversion Webinar Recap
July 10, 2025
“Drug Summit consensus was clear – we need the NSW Government to implement its recommendations”
June 30, 2025
NSW Parliament Hosts “Support. Don’t Punish” Global Day as Community Awaits Drug Summit Response
June 26, 2025
AFP warning on nitazenes in Australia’s illicit drug supply should be of grave concern for politicians and policymakers
May 8, 2025
Announcement of second drug checking trial at Midnight Mafia music festival in NSW is welcome – now we need a statewide roll out of a permanent program
April 30, 2025
NSW Drug Summit Report handed to NSW Government: urgent response is needed to keep our kids safe
April 3, 2025
NSW Early Drug Diversion Initiative (EDDI) turns one, needs urgent attention to address harms and fairness
February 28, 2025
Arrival of drug checking trial at Yours and Owls music festival in NSW is welcome – statewide roll out of a permanent program is urgently needed
February 19, 2025
Uniting Welcomes Announcement of NSW Drug Checking Trial and Urges Implementation This Summer
December 19, 2024
The Drug Summit Recap
December 10, 2024
Recommendations from Working Groups in the Drug Summit
December 5, 2024
‘Drug Summit 2024: Our hopes and expectations are high’
December 2, 2024
Western Sydney Roundtable Event
November 21, 2024
The Drug Summit has KICKED OFF! First stops – Griffith and Lismore. Here is our recap.
November 14, 2024
These Young People in Western Sydney Support Drug Law Reform!
October 29, 2024
Two out of three NSW residents support health responses to drug use
October 27, 2024
Community members from the ACT and across Australia come together in Canberra for the 29th Annual Remembrance Ceremony, honouring those who have tragically lost their lives due to overdose from illicit drug use.
October 21, 2024
NSW Drug Summit invites have gone out – Uniting urges every politician in the NSW Parliament to attend
October 2, 2024
As overdose rates rise, public support for supervised injecting facilities grows: Burnet study shows
September 3, 2024
Uniting welcomes NSW Government Drug Summit announcement
July 12, 2024
NSW increasingly isolated when it comes to harm minimisation
June 26, 2024
“Premier, you promised. Drug Summit Now.”
June 17, 2024
Submission to the inquiry into the impact of the regulatory framework for cannabis in NSW
June 5, 2024
Drug checking research project commences at Uniting’s Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC)
April 8, 2024
Criticisms of the Early Drug Detection Initiative (EDDI) in NSW don’t meet community expectations
March 27, 2024
The arrival of the Early Drug Detection Initiative (EDDI) in NSW is one step on the long road to meaningful reform
March 11, 2024
Media Release: Interfaith leaders call on NSW Premier to announce a 5-day Parliamentary Drug Summit.
March 7, 2024
Interfaith Open Letter- A Call To Justice
March 6, 2024
National Drug Strategy Household Survey shows support for health-based responses to drug use continues to grow
February 29, 2024
Uniting urges the NSW Government to adopt drug checking in the wake of festival overdoses in Melbourne
January 8, 2024
99ers Parliamentary Event
December 4, 2023
Uniting Church Vic.Tas Endorses Decriminalisation of Drugs
November 24, 2023
ACT’s new drug decriminalisation laws  welcomed
October 30, 2023
FFDLR Remembrance Ceremony 2023
October 27, 2023
A step forward in NSW drug law, but proposed fines are unnecessary and harmful.
October 11, 2023
Budget Disappointment: Drug Summit Missing from Funding
September 21, 2023
Moderator of Uniting Church NSW & ACT Calls for Political Courage
September 13, 2023
Health Experts Back Drug Checking
September 11, 2023
Premier’s position on drug policy reform must be evidence-based
August 31, 2023
Australian Joint Committee on Law Enforcement’s inquiry
June 30, 2023
Interfaith Prayer Service for Treatment and Justice 2023
June 21, 2023
Kevin Street wins NADA Award
May 22, 2023
Art from the Heart of the Cross
December 5, 2022
A Historic Win- ACT moves to Decriminalise personal possession of drugs
October 20, 2022
Language Matters – Messaging Guide
October 14, 2022
Channel 10 Ice Inquiry Interview
September 30, 2022
Ice Inquiry Response
September 21, 2022
Inside the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre
September 6, 2022
ACT Polling: Majority Support Health-based Responses
August 28, 2022
Interfaith Prayer Service for Treatment and Justice
June 28, 2022
MSIC Given Keys to Sydney
May 9, 2022
Discussion Paper Launched at Parliament
October 16, 2021
Australia’s human rights obligations with respect to drug policies, laws, and their implementation
September 21, 2021
Daily Telegraph: NSW Polling Show Majority Support No Jail for Minor Drug Crime
August 14, 2021
Statement of support – NSW proposed drug law reforms
January 21, 2021
Decriminalisation Discussion Paper Possession and Use of Drugs: Options for Changing the Law
November 26, 2020
Geoff Gallop Appointed to Eminent Global Panel on Drug Policy
July 23, 2019