Changes in patterns of drug use among injecting drug users following changes in the availability of heroin in New South Wales, Australia

Rates of drug use remain substantially higher among gay and bisexual men (GBM) and people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The use of drugs to enhance sexual pleasure within cultures of Party and Play creates opportunities to discuss sexual health, mental health, consent and wellbeing. Community organisations with a history of HIV prevention, care, treatment are well-placed to respond. ACON’s (formerly the AIDS Council of New South Wales) multi-dimensional response to ‘chemsex’ includes: direct client services support for individuals seeking to manage or reduce their use; health promotion activities that support peer education; partnerships with research institutions to better understand cultures of chemsex; and policy submissions that call for drug use to be approached as a health, rather than a criminal, issue. The approach speaks the language of Party and Play subcultures; employs culturally relevant terminology and imagery; uses content designed, created and delivered by peers; and operates within a pleasure-positive, harm-reduction and community-led framework. These interventions have led to increased service uptake, strong community engagement, robust research partnerships and the recognition of GBM as a priority population in relevant strategies.

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A Preliminary Survey of Drug Use among Law Students in New South Wales: Attitudes and Habits

Journal of Drug Issues ◽

10.1177/002204267700700414 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 439-455 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Roger A. Brown

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

New South ◽

New South Wales ◽

Law Students ◽

Preliminary Survey ◽

South Wales

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Hazardous alcohol consumption in non-aboriginal male inmates in New South Wales

International Journal of Prisoner Health ◽

10.1108/ijph-11-2016-0068 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 46-55

Author(s):

Courtney Field

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Drug Use ◽

New South ◽

New South Wales ◽

Hazardous Drinking ◽

Drinking Behaviour ◽

Content Type ◽

South Wales ◽

Male Inmates

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine correlates and predictors of hazardous drinking behaviour, that may be considered evidence of generalised strain, in a sample of incarcerated non-Aboriginal males in New South Wales, Australia. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 283 non-Aboriginal male inmates as part of a larger epidemiological survey of inmates in NSW undertaken in 2015 by the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network. Data relating to a range of social factors were selected with reference to relevant literature and assessed with regards their predictive value for scores from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). To facilitate regression analysis, variables were logically organised into historical factors or adult factors. Findings Almost all participants reported some history of alcohol consumption. Hazardous drinking was common among participants. While parental alcohol problems and adult drug use were the only correlates of AUDIT scores, parental misuse of alcohol was shown to be an important predictor of AUDIT scores in regression analysis. The role of parent gender was inconclusive. Previous incarceration as an adult, employment status, and drug use as an adult also predicted AUDIT scores. Originality/value Alcohol abuse is common among inmates and the use of alcohol is implicated in the commission of many offences. A better understanding of its genesis may inspire novel approaches to treatment, leading to improved health outcomes for inmates.

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Prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Among Intravenous Drug Users in New South Wales, Australia: The Needles and Syringes Distribution Programme Through Retail Pharmacies

Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/101053958800200408 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 245-251 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

R Tsai ◽

B Pharm ◽

EH Goh ◽

P Webeck ◽

J Mullins

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Drug Users ◽

New South ◽

New South Wales ◽

Population Group ◽

South Wales ◽

Short Period ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Distribution Scheme

Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection among 12, 000 intravenous (i.v.) drug users in New South Wales (NSW) was estimated to be very low in 1985. However, a large increase of HIV infection in this population group could result within a short period. The NSW government amended existing legislation to permit the sale and possession of sterile needles and syringes. A programme to promote the sale of needles and syringes was launched jointly with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (NSW Branch) in December 1986. Favourable changes in pharmacists' attitudes were noted four months later. The distribution scheme became an important component of the NSW prevention programme. There are 2, 039 retail pharmacies throughout NSW. The number of sterile needles and syringes sold through these outlets increased from 4, 200 in January 1987 to 51, 000 in November 1987 with a total of 422, 000 dispensed over this period. The percentage of Pharmacy Guild members involved in the programme increased from 0.5% to 22.5%, covering 38% of the state by November 1987. During 1987, HIV infection among i.v. drug users remained low. This suggests that the needles and syringes distribution programme contributed significantly towards limiting the spread of HIV infection among i.v. drug users.

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