Burnet Institute, June 11, 2021 A new Burnet Institute study shows the North Richmond Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR) is fulfilling its brief and playing a constructive role by attracting people who are most at risk from harm relating to their injecting drug use, and most in need of the service. The research also points to positive impacts on the amenity of the local area through a...
ABC Central West, 15/03/2019 A report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has revealed alarming statistics about drug and alcohol use in regional Australia, and the difficulties faced by those seeking treatment. The report found a 41 per cent increase in drug-induced deaths in regional and remote areas in the decade to 2017, compared to a 16 per cent spike in major cities...
ABC News, 29.6.18 Up to 300 people a day are expected to use Victoria’s first medically supervised drug injecting room when it opens in the coming days. The Victorian Government committed to a two-year trial at the North Richmond Community Health Centre, after three separate coroners called for a supervised space. Mental Health Minister Martin Foley said it would save lives. Read more of...
ABC News, 31/10/2017 Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has said he changed his mind about supporting a safe injecting room trial in inner Melbourne because a jump in the number of overdoses showed the current approach was failing. The Government has confirmed it will hold a two-year trial a centre at heroin hotspot North Richmond under a bold plan that includes tougher penalties for drug...
nam/aidsmap, may 5th 2017
Programmes to provide naloxone, a drug that reverses the effects of opiate overdose, are successful because they harness the social contexts of drug use and train drug users to be ‘indigenous public health workers’ capable of intervening in an overdose, according to a qualitative study published in the May issue of Social Science & Medicine.
Read more here
ABC news, Posted 13.12.16 at 5:11pm The high rate of overdose deaths in Victoria has prompted calls for a change in regulations around overdose ‘antidote’ Naloxone. Naloxone is used to reverse the effects of opioids like heroin and oxycodone but under Australian law it can only be dispensed over the counter by a doctor or pharmacist. The stigma can mean some users avoid asking for the...