How a drug decriminalisation trial sparked debate

Canada has long had a progressive drug reform policy that has broadly been applauded by liberals everywhere.
They legalised cannabis in 2018 and, when facing an "unprecedented drug crisis", its western province of British Columbia decriminalised drug possession in 2023.

The three-year pilot program was introduced, but two years into the trial, drug users in Vancouver are still dying.

Read our online feature to learn more about why this is, and what could reduce drug-related deaths in the future.

And on The Radio National Hour this week, we explore the state of the Murdoch family drama. Join us for a conversation about how Rupert Murdoch has, in recent years, seemed to have lost control of his family’s story, and how one of his sons is spilling the family secrets.
Few stories are more firmly ingrained in Australian culture than Picnic at Hanging Rock. In our latest online article Ian Michael, a Wilman Noongar actor and director, is bringing the story to a new audience — via a First Nations lens.

And finally, we are thrilled to share that the ABC Book Club Facebook group has been reopened! We can't wait to dive back into discussing books with all of you.

Facing an "unprecedented drug crisis", Vancouver decriminalised drug possession. The laws unleashed a fierce debate as deaths continued to climb.

The decision by Creative Australia to cancel their own selection for Australia's representative at the 2026 Venice Biennale has led to shock and condemnation across the arts industry, with several high-profile resignations.

The star of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy explains how her character has had to evolve across the four films while still remaining essentially the same person.

Developmental paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey has seen a lot of children with behavioural issues over the years. He says there are 10 things he wishes all parents understood about their child's mental health.

For poet David Whyte, the power of poetry lies in its unmatched ability to meditate and focus on what's right in front of us — whether it's a mountain, a loved one, or our own reflection. He says one line of poetry is enough to change your life.

The latest reinterpretation of a story with mythic status in Australia is brought to the stage for the Sydney Theatre Company by award-winning director Ian Michael.

Rupert Murdoch is often described as the man who owns the news, but in recent years he’s completely lost control of his family’s story.

US President Donald Trump has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of being a "dictator without elections" while falsely repeating claims that Ukraine is to blame for Russia's invasion. Zelenskyy says Trump is living in a "disinformation bubble".

An asteroid dubbed 2024 YR4 is causing a stir among the space community and a frenzy in the media. It currently has a 2.3 per cent chance of crashing into Earth. But this is not our first asteroid rodeo.

Satyajit Das presents a provocative examination of the use and abuse of images of wild animals, and how they shape our relationships with the natural world. These pictures can create an impression of abundance and untouched ecosystems, and lull us into a false sense of security, at a time when the natural world faces ecological calamity.