APS invited supporters to the State Library of Victoria for a special screening of A New Understanding: The Science of Psilocybin and special panel discussion.

The short documentary film produced by Robert J Barnhart has been screening this year at locations around the world, including CoSM. It attempts to investigate the efficacy of psilocybin assisted psychotherapy in both terminally ill and healthy individuals, and follows a small group of Americans along their journey pre and post therapy. It’s a truly inspiring film, and is available to watch on Vimeo, for those of you who couldn’t make it.

The film screening was followed by a panel discussion led by (APS co-founder) Nick Wallis. Local drug law reform campaigner Daniel Witham spoke about his harrowing encounter with NSW police, and subsequent incarceration over possession of Psilocybe subaeruginosa, and we also heard from Murray, Daniel’s father. Murray, a 69 year old author, recently had his first psychedelic experience, and gave a touching and candid testimony of the spiritual significance of his mushroom journey.

Dr Monica Barratt of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre offered her perspective on the progress of drug reform both domestically, and around the world. Monica is also the Director of Research at Bluelight and is actively involved in orchestrating the Global Drug Survey.

To round things off, we had Steph Tzanetis offering some valuable insights. Steph always has her finger on the pulse, and is the coordinator of DanceWize, a harm reduction group operating at festivals and events around Australia. Both Steph and Monica have recently visited Lisbon in Portugal to better understand how the Portuguese are leading the way in harm reduction, and how Australia could follow.

A heartfelt thanks to all that came along and made the night such a success. With the smell of spring in the air, and the festival season about to kick off, let’s stay safe, and continue to educate one another.