Professor Shane Darke's blog

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‘Synthetic cannabis’: A dangerous misnomer

The term ‘synthetic cannabis’ (or ‘synthetic marijuana’) has been widely used. The term, however, is wrong. This may sound like a pedantic point, but the misnaming of these drugs has potentially dangerous consequences. In a recent article in the International Journal of Drug Policy we proposed that they be referred to as synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs), to emphasise that this is a drug class entirely distinct from marijuana.

Young cocaine users have heart health of 60 year olds

Investigators of the effects of cocaine on the heart: Shane Darke, Sharlene Kaye, Rebecca Kozor and Gemma Figtree.

NDARC was lucky enough to host a presentation by cardiologists Professor Gemma Figtree and Dr Rebecca Kozor on 21 August about the effects of cocaine on the heart.

Xanax overdose and related deaths - a podcast

Professor Shane Darke discusses the increase in deaths involving alprazolam (also known by its brand name, Xanax).

Three persistent myths about heroin use and overdose deaths

Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death earlier this week from a suspected heroin overdose unleashed the usual media coverage of deaths related to this drug. While the actor’s actual cause of death has not yet been determined, it’s important to separate the truth from the myths about heroin use and overdose.