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Huge news for baby "Methamphetamine Rules"

Three months after ABC journalist Kirsten Drysdale <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/why-an-abc-journalist-named-her-newborn-after-an-illicit-drug" target="_blank" rel="noopener">named her newborn</a> after an illicit drug, her son now has a new name. In September, Drysdale was investigating the limits of the naming registry for her show WTFAQ on the public broadcaster, in which audience members asked "What can I legally name my baby?" At the time, Drysdale wasn't getting a clear answer from the registry about the boundaries of naming a child, so decided to take matters into her own hands. "We thought, what is the most outrageous name we can think of that will definitely not be accepted?” Drysdale told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/abc-journalist-kirsten-drysdales-wild-name-for-newborn-son/news-story/c4568f521ee9cfb5b68179a84667d92b#xd_co_f=YTM5MzVmOGQtNTY4My00NWE1LThjNDctMTUxMjJlNjVhMWNj~" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a> at the time. “Methamphetamine Rules we thought would surely get rejected, and then when it does, we can find out what name the Registrar chooses.” “It was really just a lighthearted, curious attempt to get an answer to this question.” As an experiment, Drysdale, who had just given birth to her son, submitted for him to be named "Methamphetamine Rules", with the naming registry approving the joke moniker. Now, Drysdale has shared that baby Meth has a new name. Appearing on The Project, the ABC presenter told the panel the naming mishap was now "all sorted", saying, “That name has been removed. It no longer is on his birth certificate.” “He has a new birth certificate with his real name on it.” She chose not to reveal her child’s new name, but assured viewers it is incredibly "normal". “He will not have to, for the rest of his life answer ‘have you ever been known by any other name’,” she said. “You’re not taking methamphetamines to any parties this Christmas?” host Sarah Harris asked jokingly. “No, Baby Meth is going to have a quiet Christmas at home this year,” Ms Drysdale said. Image credits: The Project / A Current Affair

Legal

Why an ABC journalist named her newborn after an illicit drug

An ABC journalist has raised eyebrows after she named her newborn son after an illicit drug. Kirsten Drysdale, host of WTFAQ on the public broadcaster, has recently welcomed her third child with her husband Chris, as the couple revel in their newborn bliss bubble. However, their euphoria has been overtaken by a series of questions over their strange choice of name for the baby boy. The newborn baby’s legal name is Methamphetamine Rules. The reasons behind the unusual name are more than meets the eye, as Drysdale works on the WTFAQ program, answering burning questions from the public. ‘What can I legally name my baby?’ has come up consistently on the program, as Drysdale set out to investigate how far you can go when naming a child before the state registry steps in. While researching the story, the mum wondered what name the registry would default to if the parents’ first submission was rejected. She wasn’t getting a clear answer from the government body’s media team, and as she was about to give birth, Drysdale decided it was perfect timing to take matters into her own hands. “We thought, what is the most outrageous name we can think of that will definitely not be accepted?” Drysdale told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/abc-journalist-kirsten-drysdales-wild-name-for-newborn-son/news-story/c4568f521ee9cfb5b68179a84667d92b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>. “Methamphetamine Rules we thought would surely get rejected, and then when it does, we can find out what name the Registrar chooses.” “It was really just a lighthearted, curious attempt to get an answer to this question.” Drysdale’s attempt at fooling the system quickly turned to horror when her initial online submission listing her son’s fake name was approved “very quickly”. Weeks after giving birth, she received her son’s birth certificate in the mail with ‘Methamphetamine Rules’ listed as her son’s given name. “I don’t know how it slipped through,” Drysdale said. “I’m not sure if someone was overworked, or if it was automated somewhere. “Or possibly, maybe they thought Methamphetamine was a Greek name. “They haven’t really given us a clear answer.” Thankfully, the Registrar admitted it was an unusual oversight, and Drysdale’s son’s real, “normal” name should be approved any day now. “Baby Meth’s real name … I’m not publicly disclosing it, because I don’t want it to be attached to this,” she laughed. “It’s a beautiful name and I can tell you it has nothing to do with class A drugs.” “We think it’ll be a very unique 21st birthday present to tell him this story.” Image credits: Kirsten Drysdale / WTFAQ: ABC

Family & Pets

Australian city named as the meth capital of the world

A study monitoring illicit drug use around the world has found Adelaide to have the highest methamphetamine use out of 120 cities. The research, published in the journal <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191023093445.htm" target="_blank">Addiction</a> on Wednesday, analysed wastewater samples from 37 countries in a seven-year project. Data collected in Adelaide over a one-week period in 2017 showed between 507 and 659 milligrams of methamphetamine or “ice” per 1,000 people each day, compared with between 270 and 331mg in Canberra and Toowoomba. The findings followed the <a href="https://acic.govcms.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases-and-statements/wastewater-results-show-high-levels-methylamphetamine-fentanyl-and-cannabis-consumption-south">Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission’s June report</a>, which revealed Adelaide as the methamphetamine capital of the nation. Despite the staggering record, the prevalence of methamphetamine has declined since the study was conducted, said one of the study’s lead authors Dr Richard Bade. “To put into a bit of context, the study was from 2017 and in fact since that time methamphetamine use in South Australia has actually been on the decrease,” Bade told the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-24/adelaide-had-highest-meth-use-in-cities-in-world-study/11633416">ABC</a>. “And there's been plenty of initiatives around that reduction of methamphetamine use in Adelaide [since 2017].” The city coming closest to Adelaide’s levels was Seattle, with a 418mg average over a three-year monitoring period. The report said cocaine use increased across Europe, with London, Bristol, Amsterdam, Zurich, Geneva, St Gallen and Antwerp having the highest levels of between 600 to 900mg per 1,000 people. Canberra had a significantly higher cocaine use than the other two Australian cities. The Netherlands recorded the highest use of ecstasy, also known as MDMA. “It’s important we determine the scale of the illicit drug market so that countries can work out the best way to tackle a $100 billion industry, which is contributing to the global burden of disease and affecting the economic development of many countries,” Bade said.

Mind

Ice epidemic worsens in Australia

Shocking new data shows the number of Australians killed due to methamphetamine use has doubled in just six years. Professor Shane Darke from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre and lead author of the study described the findings, released yesterday in the academic journal Addiction, as a major public health crisis. “I hear it occasionally said that the extent of the methamphetamine problem has been overstated, but I think this many identified cases over seven years shows we have a major problem,” Professor Darke told news.com.au. His team examined 1649 fatalities linked to the illicit drug between 2009 and 2015 and discovered the mortality rate is up to six times greater than the average. "Each of these deaths was associated with about 44 years of life [that could have been lived had the person not used methamphetamine] and I think that shows the impact," said Professor Darke. There are different types of methamphetamine but the drug crystal meth – known as ice – is one of the most popular. Professor Darke warned there is a “hidden danger” in meth-related deaths as the drug can damaged vital organs even if users only consume a little amount. In 22 per cent of cases examined, “natural” diseases like cardiac arrest or stroke were the common causes of death, Professor Darke said. “Many users may be unaware that heart disease is a major factor in methamphetamine-related death.” Almost half of meth users die due to an overdose. “Basically, the person becomes unbearably hot and their temperature spikes. They have trouble breathing and they may fit. “Even a very little amount can kill you — it can engender a heart attack.” There are an estimated 300,000 regular meth users across the country. Professor Darke fears the rate of death of meth users – which increased yearly until 2012 where it has since stayed at a high level – will not improve without greater awareness. “But there are long-term impacts too,” Professor Darke said. “Even if everyone stopped using methamphetamines today, we’re looking at a number of individuals with serious damage to their hearts.” “We think there are aspects of the dangers of methamphetamine that people — particularly users — aren’t aware of,” he said. “This is the tip of the iceberg. I think this issue is something from which the effects will be felt for decades to come.” If you or someone you know needs help, call the Alcohol and Drug Foundation on 1300 85 85 84 or visit <a href="http://adf.org.au/" target="_blank">adf.org.au</a>

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