A 55-year-old man has been arrested and charged in Katherine over drug offences. Police say he left about 5 grams of methamphetamine under a pillow at a Katherine hotel he had checked out of on Thursday, 15 October. Detectives from the Northern Investigations Section seized the drugs and began an investigation. On Friday, police stopped his vehicle near the Katherine Weighbridge and found a less than traffickable quantity of cannabis inside. He faces charges of possessing a dangerous drug in both traffickable and less than traffickable quantities, and driving with a prohibited drug in his body.
Police allege they seized a credit card-sized firearm, three crossbows and a range of other weapons from a home in Evatt, Canberra, during a kidnapping investigation. Jeremy Ross Brown, 46, faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday, 22 October, charged with 11 counts of possessing a prohibited weapon, plus charges for a prohibited firearm and trafficking cannabis. He has not been charged over the alleged kidnapping. Brown was granted bail on conditions. The matter was adjourned to 17 November, and no pleas were entered.
Cannabis-related hospital admissions across Victoria rose by 49 per cent between 2013 and 2023, according to new Monash University research. Psychotic disorders were the most common primary diagnosis, accounting for 40 per cent of admissions. Admissions among women and girls of all ages rose 75 per cent over the decade, compared with 35 per cent for men. Lead author Myfanwy Graham said the findings point to a growing strain on the healthcare system. The study analysed almost 40,000 admissions and found admission rates peaked during 2020 and 2021.
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Cannabis-related hospital admissions in Victoria rose 49 per cent over the decade to 2023, according to a new ten-year study. Psychotic disorder was the leading cause, accounting for 40.1 per cent of cases. Admissions peaked during 2020 and 2021. More than 1,500 people needed intensive care. The largest increase was among younger women and adults aged 65 and older. Researchers suggest isolation during the pandemic, higher-strength products and changing attitudes may have contributed, though it is hard to tell whether prescribed or illicit cannabis is responsible.
Hospital admissions caused by cannabis and marked by severe mental health harms rose 49 per cent in Victoria between 2013 and 2023, according to new Monash University research. Researchers examined more than 40,000 cannabis-related hospital arrivals at private and public hospitals across the state over the decade. More than two-thirds of these visits led to stays of several days, and over 1500 patients were moved into intensive care. Lead researcher Myfanwy Graham said the rise was significant among women and girls, and called for targeted public health campaigns and earlier intervention.
Cannabis-related hospital admissions in Victoria rose 49 per cent in the decade to 2023, according to a Monash University study. Psychotic disorders were the main primary diagnosis, making up 40 per cent of admissions. Admissions among women and girls rose 75 per cent over the period, compared with 35 per cent among men. Lead author Myfanwy Graham said the rise among women and girls is particularly concerning. The study also noted peaks in 2017/18 and 2020/21, the latter coinciding with COVID lockdowns.
