Latest news with #TurningPoint
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
How the cost-of-living crisis is making younger Aussies ditch expensive alcohol for a deadly drug
Overdoses related to the deadly 'don't wake up' drug have skyrocketed among Australians in recent years as some fear financial pressures may be pushing young people towards hard substances. Gamma hydroxybutyrate, better known as GHB, is being used by an increasingly large number of younger Aussies. Many believe its low cost, accessibility, and mind-altering effects are making it an increasingly popular alternative to alcohol. The drug has attracted global attention due to the notoriously small margin of error between the amount used for an average recreational dosage and an overdose. The effects - relaxation, sociability, euphoria and an increased sex drive - can be felt within 15 minutes. But, even a slight overdose of the drug can prove fatal. The number of GHB-related ambulance callouts has surged across Australia in recent years according to new research from Monash University and Turning Point. Victoria is the national capital for GHB-related ambulance attendances, with 65.8 attendances per 100,000 people in 2023. It represented a 67 per cent increase from the year prior, following a 147 per cen t increase across the state between 2012 and 2019. Attendances also spiked in Tasmania, increasing by 346 per cent between 2022 and 2023. Reformed ice dealer Braiden Tonks recently told Daily Mail Australia GHB was on the rise nationwide for its sought-after side-effects. 'It just slows your heart right down, puts you into a completely relaxed state where your heart will just slowly beat and just slowly just stop, that's how you die from it,' he said. 'It's not like an instant bang of being stabbed, I'm dead. It's just slow, just like, go to sleep, don't wake up.' Young people are more likely both to abuse the drug and to require emergency help following GHB use. Affordability aside, some believe financial pressures are contributing to an appetite for harder substances. Canberra emergency consulant Dr David Caldicott told ABC News its promise of 'escape' from reality was more influential than its afforability. 'I think young people are looking for an escape from what really does not appear to be a very attractive future for them,' he said. 'I think that's probably a considerably more important element than the cost.' Uncover Mental Health Counselling founder and psychotherapist Kristie Tse said financial pressures were engendering a 'need for relief'. 'One of the biggest drivers is the desire to escape or cope with stress, which has been exacerbated by rising financial pressures and uncertainty about the future,' she told NewsWire. 'The cost of living plays into this, as financial strain can lead to heightened anxiety and a need for relief, which some may seek through substance use.' One Touch finance founder Maria Rosey told NewsWire cost-of-living pressures can create circumstances where substance use is seen as more acceptable. 'As money stress becomes more common, so does the acceptance of substances as coping mechanisms,' she said. 'The increase in GHB use during the money crisis shows us that substance use problems can't be solved by focusing only on the substances themselves. 'We need to address the conditions that make people turn to substances in the first place.'
Perth Now
14 hours ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Worrying party trend on the rise
Monash University has reported a worrying increase in GHB usage among young people in Australia, particularly across Victoria and Tasmania, indicating a worrying trend as the cost-of-living crunch continues to cripple the nation. In conjunction with Turning Point, a report from Monash University revealed a startling spike in GHB-related ambulance call-outs among Australians aged between 25 and 34 in the past three years. GHB-related ambulance call-outs are on the rise in Victoria and Tasmania, new research suggests. Credit: News Corp Australia Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, better known as GHB, is a party drug that was originally intended as an anaesthetic, targeting the central nervous system and causing feelings of distress, confusion, vomiting and blackouts. Frequently presented as a tasteless and odourless liquid, it's commonly used in drink spiking and, due to its high dosage and undetectable nature, can be fatal. Turning Point National Addiction and Mental Health Surveillance Unit strategic lead and Monash University researcher Rowan Ogeil said it would only take a small amount of the drug to lead to an overdose. 'The difference between the amount to reach the desired effect and an overdose can be very small,' he said. 'Our research team has previously shown that this leads to high rates of overdose or loss of consciousness in GHB users.' Young people are more likely to take party drugs than older generations. Credit: Supplied According to the study, there has been a 67 per cent increase in GHB-related ambulance call-outs in Victoria between 2022 and 2023. While areas in Melbourne such as the Stonnington and Yarra regions – which are home to Chapel St and its stretch of nightclubs – have some of the highest rates of GHB-related ambulance call-outs, Geelong now accounts for 31 per cent of all GHB-related ambulance attendances. The study found the number of GHB-related ambulance call-outs had increased tenfold in the span of five years across Geelong, expanding from 20 incidents in 2018 to 200 in 2023. GHB-related ambulance call-outs also spiked in Tasmania, with the Apple Isle reporting a 346 per cent increase between 2022 and 2023. Dr Ogeil added that young people were largely the subjects of the call-outs. 'Our research has found that it is young people who are most affected,' he told NewsWire. 'In our study, people under 30 were more likely to require emergency help from paramedics following GHB use.' As the cost-of-living crisis continues to ravage the country, an increasing number of young Australians are finding cheaper ways to enjoy themselves on a night out. According to Drinkwise, 65 per cent of Gen Z want to drink less alcohol, with almost 23 per cent choosing to stay away from the bottle altogether. However, young Australians are also more likely to partake in casual party drugs than other generations, according to the Australian Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Uncover Mental Health Counselling founder and psychotherapist Kristie Tse said there were many reasons young people were turning away from alcohol and towards party drugs, including anxiety triggered by rising costs. 'One of the biggest drivers is the desire to escape or cope with stress, which has been exacerbated by rising financial pressures and uncertainty about the future,' she said. 'The cost of living plays into this, as financial strain can lead to heightened anxiety and a need for relief, which some may seek through substance use.' Penny-pinching partygoers may be turning away from alcohol and heading to cheaper – and in many cases, more dangerous – methods for a night out on the town. 'However, the risks are significant, and what often starts as a way to momentarily escape or enhance an experience can spiral into dependency or harm,' Ms Tse warned. GHB is a drug often used in social settings, and is commonly used to spike drinks. Credit: Supplied One Touch finance founder Maria Rosey said the cost-of-living crisis may be driving young people toward alternative ways of seeking a 'buzz'. 'As money stress becomes more common, so does the acceptance of substances as coping mechanisms,' she said. 'This normalisation happens through social media, peer groups, and cultural messaging that frames substance use as a reasonable response to unreasonable circumstances. 'The increase in GHB use during the money crisis shows us that substance use problems can't be solved by focusing only on the substances themselves. 'We need to address the conditions that make people turn to substances in the first place.' Better knowledge of drug safety can also be found prominently on social media, which Ms Rosey said may sway younger generations towards swapping out drinks for party drugs, including GHB. 'This generation has grown up with easy access to information about substances through the internet,' she told NewsWire. 'They know way more about dosages, drug interactions, and staying safe than older generations did. This knowledge makes them feel safer and more in control, but that feeling might be false.' Despite young people having better information at their disposal, Dr Ogeil said the increase in GHB-related ambulance calls signified a lack of harm-reduction services. 'These patterns show us where and when people need support most,' he said. 'Rather than waiting for emergency situations, we need accessible harm-reduction services that can engage with people before harms escalate.' Drinking/substance abuse helplines
News.com.au
15 hours ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Calls for action after spike in GHB-related ambulance call-outs among young Australians
Monash University has reported a worrying increase in GHB usage among young people in Australia, particularly across Victoria and Tasmania, indicating a worrying trend as the cost-of-living crunch continues to cripple the nation. In conjunction with Turning Point, a report from Monash University revealed a startling spike in GHB-related ambulance call-outs among Australians aged between 25 and 34 in the past three years. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, better known as GHB, is a party drug that was originally intended as an anaesthetic, targeting the central nervous system and causing feelings of distress, confusion, vomiting and blackouts. Frequently presented as a tasteless and odourless liquid, it's commonly used in drink spiking and, due to its high dosage and undetectable nature, can be fatal. Turning Point National Addiction and Mental Health Surveillance Unit strategic lead and Monash University researcher Rowan Ogeil said it would only take a small amount of the drug to lead to an overdose. 'The difference between the amount to reach the desired effect and an overdose can be very small,' he said. 'Our research team has previously shown that this leads to high rates of overdose or loss of consciousness in GHB users.' According to the study, there has been a 67 per cent increase in GHB-related ambulance call-outs in Victoria between 2022 and 2023. While areas in Melbourne such as the Stonnington and Yarra regions – which are home to Chapel St and its stretch of nightclubs – have some of the highest rates of GHB-related ambulance call-outs, Geelong now accounts for 31 per cent of all GHB-related ambulance attendances. The study found the number of GHB-related ambulance call-outs had increased tenfold in the span of five years across Geelong, expanding from 20 incidents in 2018 to 200 in 2023. GHB-related ambulance call-outs also spiked in Tasmania, with the Apple Isle reporting a 346 per cent increase between 2022 and 2023. Dr Ogeil added that young people were largely the subjects of the call-outs. 'Our research has found that it is young people who are most affected,' he told NewsWire. 'In our study, people under 30 were more likely to require emergency help from paramedics following GHB use.' As the cost-of-living crisis continues to ravage the country, an increasing number of young Australians are finding cheaper ways to enjoy themselves on a night out. According to Drinkwise, 65 per cent of Gen Z want to drink less alcohol, with almost 23 per cent choosing to stay away from the bottle altogether. However, young Australians are also more likely to partake in casual party drugs than other generations, according to the Australian Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Uncover Mental Health Counselling founder and psychotherapist Kristie Tse said there were many reasons young people were turning away from alcohol and towards party drugs, including anxiety triggered by rising costs. 'One of the biggest drivers is the desire to escape or cope with stress, which has been exacerbated by rising financial pressures and uncertainty about the future,' she said. 'The cost of living plays into this, as financial strain can lead to heightened anxiety and a need for relief, which some may seek through substance use.' Penny-pinching partygoers may be turning away from alcohol and heading to cheaper – and in many cases, more dangerous – methods for a night out on the town. 'However, the risks are significant, and what often starts as a way to momentarily escape or enhance an experience can spiral into dependency or harm,' Ms Tse warned. One Touch finance founder Maria Rosey said the cost-of-living crisis may be driving young people toward alternative ways of seeking a 'buzz'. 'As money stress becomes more common, so does the acceptance of substances as coping mechanisms,' she said. 'This normalisation happens through social media, peer groups, and cultural messaging that frames substance use as a reasonable response to unreasonable circumstances. 'The increase in GHB use during the money crisis shows us that substance use problems can't be solved by focusing only on the substances themselves. 'We need to address the conditions that make people turn to substances in the first place.' Better knowledge of drug safety can also be found prominently on social media, which Ms Rosey said may sway younger generations towards swapping out drinks for party drugs, including GHB. 'This generation has grown up with easy access to information about substances through the internet,' she told NewsWire. 'They know way more about dosages, drug interactions, and staying safe than older generations did. This knowledge makes them feel safer and more in control, but that feeling might be false.' Despite young people having better information at their disposal, Dr Ogeil said the increase in GHB-related ambulance calls signified a lack of harm-reduction services. 'These patterns show us where and when people need support most,' he said. 'Rather than waiting for emergency situations, we need accessible harm-reduction services that can engage with people before harms escalate.'
Wall Street Journal
4 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Trump Can't Ignore Our Housing Crisis
When the leader of a prominent MAGA group urges President Trump and the GOP to do something about housing, you know there's a problem. Turning Point's Charlie Kirk recently told the Washington Post that the administration must 'improve the material conditions of the younger voters' by building 10 million homes—a 'Marshall Plan-type thing.' Mr. Kirk is highlighting a genuine concern. The median price for an existing single-family home in 2024 was a record $412,500. The growth in home prices has significantly outpaced household income growth, increasing the price-to-income ratio to approximately 5.0 in 2024, compared with around 4.1 in 2019 before the pandemic and an average of 3.2 in the 1990s. Rising interest rates have made a bad situation worse. Average monthly mortgage payments on median-priced houses have surged from $1,445 in 2021 to $2,570 in 2024, and rising home-insurance premiums pushed up the total monthly costs of homeownership to $3,270. The bottom line: The annual income required to qualify for a mortgage on the median house has risen by more than 60% since 2021, pricing more than half of potential first-time home buyers out of the market. No wonder the median age of first-time home buyers reached a record-high 38 years last year, or that the homeownership rate for households whose heads are 44 and younger has declined. Many couples with young children are stuck in apartments they have outgrown, and they aren't happy about it.
Axios
4 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
MAGA's siege mentality shadows Trump's "Golden Age" shadows Trump's "Golden Age"
TAMPA, Fla. — Suspicion is rippling through the MAGA movement, clouding a historic run of conservative victories meant to lay the foundation for President Trump 's "Golden Age." Why it matters: Even at the apex of power, MAGA's populist base remains convinced that shadowy forces are working to unravel its every gain. Trump's recent actions — especially his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case — have only hardened those fears. Driving the news: At Turning Point USA's Student Action Summit over the weekend, the mood among Trump's most loyal supporters was celebratory on the surface — but crackling with anxiety underneath. Speakers and attendees hailed Trump's dominance over the GOP, the passage of his legislative agenda, and his mass deportation blitz as proof that MAGA is winning. But fears of collapse loomed large: Even with Democrats in shambles, MAGA's leaders warned that the "Deep State," globalist elites, and internal traitors were plotting to undo everything Trump has built. Zoom in: The Justice Department's stunning decision to close the Epstein case — and Trump's claim that "nobody cares" about the deceased sex trafficker — dominated discourse at the Turning Point summit. For arguably the first time since Trump founded the MAGA movement 10 years ago, activists warned that the president was out of step with his own base. The scene was remarkable: Trump's most influential allies, gathered at a conference to toast his presidency, openly speculated whether the administration was engaged in a cover-up. Between the lines: The belief that powerful elites covered up Epstein's crimes speaks directly to the MAGA movement's core identity. For some activists, Trump's attempt to dismiss the scandal is a direct challenge to the worldview that brought them into the movement. Top Trump ally Steve Bannon warned that the administration could "lose 10% of the MAGA movement" over the Epstein saga — enough, he said, to cost Republicans 40 House seats in 2026. The other side: "We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein," Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post defending Attorney General Pam Bondi. The big picture: Beyond Epstein, MAGA is constantly on guard against what it sees as creeping betrayals — both from within Trump's orbit and across the broader conservative establishment. Ukraine: Trump rolled out a new plan Monday to funnel arms to Kyiv through European allies — a major shift in policy toward a conflict that MAGA constantly warns could escalate into "World War III." Iran: Trump's decision to join Israel in bombing Iran's nuclear facilities last month shattered hopes among MAGA's isolationist wing that he would steer clear of another Middle East entanglement. Immigration: Even as Trump ramps up his mass deportations, MAGA hardliners have sounded the alarm over potential "amnesty" for undocumented migrants working in the agriculture and hospitality industries. What they're saying: "There's a war-like mentality to everybody in the America First movement in that they live in a bunker. They're ready to turn the war machine back on at a moment to be on guard," Breitbart Washington Bureau Chief Matt Boyle told Axios earlier this month. "I do think it's sometimes hard for some people to accept the fact that we're winning." Reality check: It's not all doom and gloom. Many in the MAGA movement still view Trump as a singular force — even a divinely chosen one — capable of restoring America to its former greatness. "I am as committed to exposure on Jeffrey Epstein as you are, but let's not lose sight of the most successful presidency in American history," veteran Trump confidante Roger Stone told Tampa attendees. By Monday, signs were emerging that Trump's MAGA media allies — including Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk — were toning down their Epstein coverage at the president's request. 🌴 The bottom line: For a movement born out of deep skepticism toward domestic and foreign institutions, MAGA has never truly let its guard down.
