Now recruiting: Lived experiences of hepatitis C treatment

Treatment of hepatitis C has been revolutionised in recent years with the introduction of interferon-free direct-acting antiretroviral (DAA) medications. With far fewer side effects and higher success rates than past treatments, hepatitis C elimination has been adopted in Australia and elsewhere as an important public health goal. Reaching all those affected by hepatitis C, informing…

Gender in alcohol research and policy

Members of the DruGS program, in collaboration with colleagues from universities in Australia, Canada and Sweden, are conducting an international comparative study analysing the treatment of gender in research and policy on alcohol and violence. Funded by the Australian Research Council, this project includes interviews with researchers and policy stakeholders about alcohol and violence among…

DruGS team hosts Qualitative Methods Journal Club

In mid-2019, the SSAC team (now the DruGS team) was invited to host the Qualitative Methods Journal Club of the Society for the Study of Addiction. The club provides a forum for qualitative alcohol and other drug researchers and students to share knowledge, discuss methodological issues and promote high quality qualitative research. As a qualitative…

New study: Hepatitis C treatment in the age of elimination

A team of researchers led by DruGS Program Leader Professor Suzanne Fraser will begin work this month on a new project investigating impediments to hepatitis C treatment uptake, including the role of stigma, in an era focussed on elimination. Entitled ‘Lived experiences of treatment for hepatitis C in Australia: An online resource for people considering treatment,…

NGV: Kate Seear presents on Haring, Basquiat and the politics of death

On Friday March 13, DruGS program team members Associate Professor Kate Seear and Professor Suzanne Fraser took part in La Trobe University’s Bold Thinking Public Lecture Series at the the National Gallery of Victoria. The public lecture, delivered by Kate, responded to the NGV’s current exhibition Haring Basquiat, finding much to discuss of relevance to…

How do men who drink heavily manage their health and well-being?

The DruGS team are pleased to introduce Experiences of heavy drinking and serious health issues, a new website module that expands the coverage of alcohol consumption on our website exploring experiences of addiction, http://www.livesofsubstance.org. Experiences of heavy drinking and serious health issues presents personal stories of men who experience serious alcohol-related health issues. Developed from…

Final report published: Lived experiences of stigma and discrimination

The DruGS team’s newly published report finds stigma is an important impediment to healthcare access for people exiting inpatient withdrawal management services. You can find a copy of the report here Final report: Lived experiences of stigma and discrimination among people accessing South Western Sydney Local Health District Drug Health Services presents findings from interviews…

SSAC becomes DruGS

In July 2019 the Social Studies of Addiction Concepts (SSAC) program underwent a significant move, relocating from the National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, to the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) at La Trobe University. Led by Professor Suzanne Fraser, who has taken up the role of Director of ARCSHS, the…

ARCSHS Oration: Social problems and facts in a sceptical world

  A recent public event introduced the DruGS Program’s Suzanne Fraser as the new Director of the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS). Professor Fraser opened the event with a lecture, and this was followed by a panel discussion with four distinguished Australian social scientists, Associate Professor Helen Keane (ANU), Emeritus Professor…

People who consume drugs saving lives: Project findings

What is an opioid overdose? How do people manage and respond to them? What is take-home naloxone? What is it like to respond to overdoses with and without naloxone? A ground breaking new website sheds light on the stories of people affected by overdose and explores the different ways people who consume drugs manage overdose.…