Addressing gender and sexuality in drug education: Developing effective and ethical drug education
Ideological and party-political investments in school curricula have generated controversy about drug education since its inception. While the necessity of drug education is now generally accepted among researchers, debates about the merits of prevention or harm reduction goals and effective forms of delivery continue.
Understanding women’s perspectives on take-home naloxone to support equitable overdose prevention efforts
This qualitative study investigated women’s concerns around take-home naloxone, including conflict. In doing so, it developed new knowledge to increase naloxone uptake in ways that support women’s safety.
Blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections stigma reduction toolkit for the Victorian health sector: An implementation project
This project will pilot the implementation of a BBV and STI stigma reduction toolkit designed for the BBV and STI healthcare workforce. Using realist evaluation methods, the project will examine the usability of the toolkit in two health care programs in Victoria.
Designing and implementing a universal precautions approach to BBV/STI-related stigma: Key informants and healthcare professionals’ perceptions and understandings of quality healthcare and stigma reduction
Stigma is known to negatively affect the health outcomes of people affected by blood-borne viruses (BBVs) and sexually transmissible infections (STIs). Healthcare settings have been identified as key site to encounter stigma. This research builds on more than two decades of research within communities affected by BBVs and STIS and will work in coalition with community and health agencies to…
Stigma and discrimination associated with blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections: A stigma reduction toolkit for the Victorian healthcare workforce – project completed
Stigma and discrimination are central issues for those affected by blood-borne viruses (BBV) and sexually transmissible infections (STI). They can hinder healthcare access, complicate intimate relationships, increase social isolation, and undermine trust in healthcare settings. BBV and STI-related stigma is often inseparable from other forms of stigma related to sexuality, gender identity, or race…
Understanding experiences of telehealth care delivery for hepatitis C treatment in Australia – project completed
Telehealth has been successful in improving patient access to healthcare, especially for those living in regional or remote areas. Since the advent of COVID-19, its broader utility in facilitating access to essential primary health services has become clear, with people able to access elements of healthcare in their own homes.
Lived experiences of treatment for hepatitis C in Australia: An online resource for people considering treatment, members of the public, healthcare workers and other professionals – project completed
Treatment of hepatitis C has been revolutionised in recent years with the introduction of interferon-free direct-acting antiretroviral medications that have far fewer side effects and much higher success rates than past treatments. With the advent of these new treatments, the Australian Government has adopted the World Health Organization’s…
Analysing gender in research and policy on alcohol-related violence among young people – project completed
In recent years, years, the issue of ‘alcohol-fuelled violence’, particularly among young people, has generated intense policy debate in Australia. While this debate is warranted, its contours and outcomes have been informed by a relatively narrow range of research resources. In particular, although Australian quantitative research shows…
Understanding performance and image-enhancing drug (PIED) injecting to improve health and minimise hepatitis C transmission – project completed
This ARC-funded project will investigate the social practices associated with men’s use of performance and image enhancing drugs (PIEDs) in Australia, to better understand who takes them, when, why and how, and to create new knowledge on the health information needs of men who inject PIEDs…
Understanding the impediments to uptake and diffusion of take-home naloxone in Australia – project completed
Take-home naloxone is available in Australia both on prescription and over the counter, yet distribution to people at risk of overdose or connected with those at risk is weak. Programs providing take-home naloxone to opioid consumers exist in some Australian cities, but uptake remains minimal. The reasons for this are not well understood…
Lived experience of alcohol consumption and dependence in South West Sydney: An online resource – project completed
Despite decades of research, policymaking and service provision, little is known about how the majority of Australians who experience serious alcohol consumption concerns view their consumption, and make decisions about accessing treatment. This South Western Sydney Local Health District-funded project investigated…
Assertive youth outreach in Australia: A review of the peer-reviewed literature – project completed
While youth illicit drug consumption is not thought to be rising in Australia, young people’s alcohol and other drug consumption remains a significant policy and public health concern, particularly where young consumers also experience intersecting forms of marginalisation. In this project we conducted a rigorous review of relevant international literature…
Lived experiences of stigma and discrimination among South West Sydney Drug Health service users: A qualitative study – project completed
This qualitative project is funded by South West Sydney Drug health services, and aims to understand better the stigma faced by people emerging from detox in South West Sydney.
Analysing and comparing concepts of addiction for improved social and health outcomes in Australia – project completed
Australian federal and state governments spend billions of dollars per year responding to alcohol and other drug consumption and addiction. In doing so, they operationalise a wide range of prevention, education and treatment measures, all of which are the subject of intense public scrutiny and controversy…
Regulating Addictions: exploring the role of the law in the identification and management of addictions – project completed
This study is funded by an Australian Research Council DECRA Fellowship. It explores the role of the law in the identification and management of addictions. Although the role of the criminal law in the regulation of drugs and addiction is well-known, addiction and drug use figure in a range of other legal realms, and these areas are sometimes overlooked…
Experiences of addiction, treatment and recovery: An online resource – project completed
This project was the first of its kind in Australia and around the world. It collected and analysed the personal accounts of people who describe themselves as having an addiction, and presented these (anonymised) accounts in textual, audio and re-enacted video form on a publicly accessible web site. The aim of the study was…
Making addiction in screening and diagnostic tools used in AOD and other health settings – project completed
This project collected and examined all substance use and dependence screening and diagnostic instruments currently being used in two countries: Canada and Australia. The analysis focused on the relationships between the instruments, their specific items and core concepts in ‘addictions’ theory and how they are situated in current practice…
Concepts of addiction and social inclusion in Swedish and Australian drug policy – project completed
In many areas of social policy, Sweden and Australia sit at opposite ends of the welfare state spectrum (valentine 2011). Sweden’s approach is relatively open, non-stigmatising and inclusive while Australia’s is relatively narrow and restrictive. It would seem logical that their respective drug policies follow similar lines, but instead…
Understanding and preventing hepatitis C transmission within sexual partnerships – project completed
This interview-based study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council. It explored understandings and practices of hepatitis C transmission prevention among people who inject drugs together within sexual partnerships…
DruGS 