CAHMA Training Hub
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Cahma Articles
News
Interchange Health Co-op update for community members
CAHMA is committed to keeping our community members informed about rapidly developing issues stemming from the immediate closure of Interchange…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Kratom
A.k.a. thang, thom, ketum, biak, giam, kadamba, kakuam, katawn, Maeng Da leaf, herbal speedball, puri, and…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Fentanyl
About Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogues Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid, up to 100 times stronger than morphine.1,2 A…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Deliriants
About Deliriants Deliriants are a class of hallucinogenic drug characterised by their ability to produce complex delusions and vivid, dream-like…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Vaping
About Vaping Vaping is a method of consuming drugs using a battery-powered handheld vaporiser, commonly called a vape. This article…
Safer Using
Safer Using – 5-MeO-DMT
About 5-MeO-DMT 5-MeO-DMT or 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (also called O-methyl-bufotenine, the God molecule, or simply 5-MeO) is a powerful psychedelic drug which…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Heroin
About Heroin Heroin (AKA diacetylmorphine or diamorphine) is a depressant drug belonging to the semi-synthetic opioid class.1 It goes…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Methamphetamine
About Meth Methamphetamine (also called methylamphetamine or meth among other names) is a powerful stimulant drug which is chemically related…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Amphetamine
About Amphetamine Amphetamine (short for alpha-methylphenethylamine) is a stimulant drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Piperazines
About Piperazines Piperazine derivatives (also called piperazines) are a class of drugs which are related to piperazine, a chemical used…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Nangs
About Nangs “Nang” (sometimes also “bulb”, “whippit”, or “whippet”) is a slang term for a whipped cream charger, which is…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Poppers
About Poppers Poppers (also known as alkyl nitrites) are a class of inhalant drugs used on the dance floor and…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Alpha-PVP
About α-PVP or “Flakka” α-PVP (pronounced alpha-PVP, short for alpha-PyrrolidinoValeroPhenone, also known as flakka, gravel, grind, the zombie drug, or…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Tiletamine
About Tiletamine Tiletamine is a dissociative anaesthetic used in veterinary medicine to immobilise, sedate or anaesthetise animals for surgery, most…
Safer Using
Safer Using – 2C-B
About 2C-B 2C-B (also known as nexus, venus, bees, or 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine) is a psychedelic drug belonging to the phenethylamine class,…
Safer Using
Safer Using – LSD
About LSD LSD or lysergic acid diethylamide (also known as acid or LSD-25) is a potent psychedelic drug, infamous for…
Safer Using
Safer Using – 3-HO-PCP
About 3-HO-PCP 3-HO-PCP (also known as 3-OH-PCP or 3-hydroxyphencyclidine) is a dissociative drug in the arylcyclohexylamine class alongside PCP and…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Cocaine
About Cocaine Cocaine (also known as benzoylmethylecgonine, coke, cola, snow, ski, blow, white, lello etc.) is a stimulant drug extracted…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Cannabis
About Cannabis Cannabis (also known by its many slang names including marijuana, weed, Mary Jane, pot, dope, zaza, ganja, grass…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Benzos
About Benzos Benzodiazepines or “benzos” are a class of drugs which have sedative, sleep-inducing (hypnotic), anti-anxiety (anxiolytic), muscle relaxant and…
Safer Using
Safer Using – DMT
About DMT and Ayahuasca DMT or N,N-dimethyltryptamine (also called Dimitri or the spirit molecule) is a powerful psychedelic drug.1 DMT…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Cathinones
About Cathinones Cathinone is a stimulant drug found in the leaves of khat (Catha edulis) which are chewed in Africa…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Ketamine
About Ketamine Ketamine (also known as ket, K, special K, or horse tranquiliser) is a dissociative anaesthetic belonging to a…
Safer Using
Safer Using – 2F-NENDCK (CanKet)
About 2F-NENDCK or “CanKet” 2F-NENDCK (short for 2-fluoro-N–ethylnordeschloroketamine, also known as CanKET, 2’-fluoro-2-oxo-PCE or 2-FXE) is a novel dissociative drug…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Nitazenes
About Nitazenes Nitazenes, also known as benzimidazole opioids or “zenes”, are a class of synthetic opioids which vary widely in…
Safer Using
Safer Using – Psilocybin
About Psilocybin Psilocybin is a psychedelic drug with similar effects to LSD, but with a shorter duration (4-6 hours).1 Psilocybin…
Safer Using
Safer Using – MDMA
About MDMA MDMA or 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine is a stimulant drug known for its ability to produce intense feelings of euphoria and…
Safer Using
Safer Using – DXM
About DXM DXM or dextromethorphan is an over-the-counter cough suppressant commonly sold at pharmacies. DXM acts as a dissociative drug…
News
Community notice – contaminated poppy seeds causing severe negative reactions
Several cases of severe toxicity after consuming poppy seed tea have recently presented to various hospitals in southeast Queensland, New…
News
Joint media release – Hep C Point-of-Care Testing to launch in Canberra
Hepatitis ACT and Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy (CAHMA) are pleased to launchPoint-of-Care Testing (POCT) program for hepatitis…
News
Media release – CAHMA celebrates ACT Drug Decriminalisation Bill 2022 passing into law
The Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy (CAHMA) has today welcomed the passing of the Drugs of Dependence Bill…
News
⚠️ DRUG ALERT ⚠️ – Counterfeit Alprazolam circulating in NSW
Know the risks Taking non-prescribed ‘alprazolam’ can cause serious harm. The risk of harm is higher if you:Take a counterfeit…
Stories
Managing my drug use – Jack’s story
I’ve lived in Canberra my whole life, I am twenty seven and have been addicted to opioids since I was…
Stories
Anna’s story – The battle of my career, versus my dependence
I am the youngest of 7, a working-class family. I am a high school dropout. I was the tender age…
News
⚠️ DRUG ALERT ⚠️ – Novel synthetic opioid being sold as ketamine
Protonitazene is a novel synthetic opioid Opioids are central nervous system depressants. They typically produce a range of effects including sedation,…
News
⚠️ DRUG ALERT ⚠️ – High and variable dose MDMA tablets – Pink irregular shape
High dose MDMA tablets have been found in NSW, average dose 196mg Know the risks You…
News
Media Release – Community sector welcomes government commitment to drug law reform
Joint media release by ACTCOSS, CAHMA and ATODA, Thursday 9 June 2022 The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS), the…
Safer Using
Safer Using – GHB
About GHB. GHB or gamma-hydroxybutyrate is a central nervous system depressant which usually comes in liquid form1. At room temperature,…
Stories
Injecting and Golden Staph – Ted’s story
This is my personal account with Golden Staph, written in hopes of informing others and providing advice on avoiding this…
Stories
Saving a life with Naloxone – Alex’s story
My name is Alex and I would like to share my story about my use of Naloxone throughout the years.
News
⚠️ DRUG ALERT ⚠️ – High potency Benzodiazepine tablets
Round, white, unmarked tablets – likely sold as ‘Mylan’ or ‘Xanax’ – are circulating in Victoria. They contain five novel…
News
Not so groovin’ – Pill testing cancellation leaves young people at risk
In a shock development, days before the Groovin The Moo festival was due to host the third…
Stories
John’s Story – The late lure of ice
My name is John, and I would like to talk about some of my drug using experiences and how I…
Stories
Robbo’s tips for vein care
My name is Rob. I’m 27 years old and lived in Canberra for my whole life. I started using drugs…
News
CAHMA welcomes expanded access to naloxone across the country
CAHMA, as the originator and pioneer of community naloxone programs in Australia, applauds the Federal Department of Health decision to extend…