Drugswrap Editor Jack Revell and Sam Douglas from the Australian Psychedelic Society join Nick to discuss the outcomes of the 2020 US Election, covering the positive news of the many wins in drug law reform.Follow Drugswrap on TwitterUS ELECTIONDr. Samuel Douglas, Philosopher and Vice President of the Australian Psychedelic Society talks US election drug war winners, and the ketamine clinics treating depression with promising results.

Jack Revell from Drugswrap talks the week in drug news with us.Follow Drugswrap on TwitterNovember 1st is International Drug User's Day and DanceWize, SSDP Australia and Pill Testing Australia have teamed up to release a 'Pill Testing Explained' video.Check out the full DanceWize campaign videos at their YouTube channel.October Online Forum: An empowering, person centered approach to Substance Use and Mental HealthDesigned and delivered by staff from Nexus Dual Diagnosis Service, Harm Reduction Victoria, Mind Australia and Wellways.Brought to you by NEMHSCA, Yarra Drug and Health Forum and Yarra Mental Health Alliance. Harm reduction is a recovery oriented essential practice that can be used by any health care worker regardless of the setting. It values the consumers own experiences with substance use and mental health and supports their expertise in planning and decision-making. In this webinar viewers will be introduced to the principle’s of Dual Diagnosis and Harm Reduction. Viewers will hear real stories using interviews and animations on how staff and consumers from Mental Health settings implemented the Before, During and After Harm Reduction tool and some of the outcomes from using this approach. Viewers will be guided to free Harm Reduction resources to use with consumers and understand why Harm Reduction is a practice that shouldn’t be limited to Drug and Alcohol workers.

Nick and Ash chat with Progressive Public Health Alliance Director, Stakeholder Engagement, Stephanie ThuesenFollow them on Twitter

Jack Revell from Drugswrap talks the week in drug news with us.Follow Drugswrap on TwitterNick and Ash catch up with Fiona Patten, a Member for Northern Metropolitan Region in the Victorian Parliament’s Legislative Council.

Jack Revell from Drugswrap talks the week in drug news with us.Follow Drugswrap on TwitterDanceWize have launched a campaign aimed at addressing some of the key issues that people who choose to take drugs may face. The campaign is 'Looking After Our Mates' and you can see it on their YouTube channelOctober Online Forum: An empowering, person centered approach to Substance Use and Mental HealthDesigned and delivered by staff from Nexus Dual Diagnosis Service, Harm Reduction Victoria, Mind Australia and Wellways.Brought to you by NEMHSCA, Yarra Drug and Health Forum and Yarra Mental Health Alliance. Harm reduction is a recovery oriented essential practice that can be used by any health care worker regardless of the setting. It values the consumers own experiences with substance use and mental health and supports their expertise in planning and decision-making. In this webinar viewers will be introduced to the principle’s of Dual Diagnosis and Harm Reduction. Viewers will hear real stories using interviews and animations on how staff and consumers from Mental Health settings implemented the Before, During and After Harm Reduction tool and some of the outcomes from using this approach. Viewers will be guided to free Harm Reduction resources to use with consumers and understand why Harm Reduction is a practice that shouldn’t be limited to Drug and Alcohol workers.

Nick and Ash chat with the team from People and Dancefloors, a UK project focused on telling the broader story of people who choose to take drugs. We also hear about how Covid-19 has effected the UK's nightlife and party scene.PEOPLE AND DANCEFLOORSFollow them on TwitterThe People and Dancefloors project was created by Daniel King and Dr Giulia Zampini. The research was designed by Giulia Zampini. The project has recently expanded to welcome Dr Eveleigh Buck-Matthews and Dr Anthony Killick on the research team. A manifesto by people who choose to take drugsWHY DO PEOPLE CHOOSE TO TAKE DRUGS?For too long, drug users have been portrayed as either criminals(1) or victims(2) of the potential ill effects of the substances that they choose to take. Although all drugs are harmful, and can be dangerous and even life-threatening(3), in most cases, the consequences of recreational drug taking are not negative.

Dr. Stephen Bright and Drugswrap editor Jack Revell join the program for a full-show panel covering a range of alcohol and other drug issues.

Jack Revell from Drugswrap talks the week in drug news with us.Follow Drugswrap on TwitterDr. Monica Barratttwitter.com/monicabarratt(link is external)Dr. Monica Barratt is a social scientist, focusing on alcohol and other drug policy, especially around how drug markets operate in the online world. Monica works with the Drug Policy Modelling Program, part of Australia's National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at the University of New South Wales and currently a senior research fellow with RMIT UniversityDr. Nicole Leetwitter.com/drnicolelee(link is external)Dr Nicole Lee is psychologist, with expertise in alcohol and other drug policy and practice. Nicole is an adjunct professor at the National Drug Research Institute at Curtin University, a member of the Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drugs and the Director of 360 Edge, a specialist alcohol and other drugs consultancy which helps bring research into policy and practice. Global Drug Survey COVID-19 EditionThe GDS Special Edition on COVID-19 was developed as part of a global effort to better understand the impact of the pandemic on people’s lives with a specific focus on the use of alcohol and other drugs, mental health and relationships. Over 55,000 people took part. The survey ran for 7 weeks in (May – June 2020)VIEW THE GLOBAL DRUG SURVEY RESULTS(link is external)National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2019 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare(link is external)

Jack Revell from Drugswrap talks the week in drug news with us.Follow Drugswrap on TwitterDr. Monica Barratttwitter.com/monicabarrattDr. Monica Barratt is a social scientist, focusing on alcohol and other drug policy, especially around how drug markets operate in the online world. Monica works with the Drug Policy Modelling Program, part of Australia's National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at the University of New South Wales and currently a senior research fellow with RMIT UniversityDr. Nicole Leetwitter.com/drnicoleleeDr Nicole Lee is psychologist, with expertise in alcohol and other drug policy and practice. Nicole is an adjunct professor at the National Drug Research Institute at Curtin University, a member of the Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drugs and the Director of 360 Edge, a specialist alcohol and other drugs consultancy which helps bring research into policy and practice. Global Drug Survey COVID-19 EditionThe GDS Special Edition on COVID-19 was developed as part of a global effort to better understand the impact of the pandemic on people’s lives with a specific focus on the use of alcohol and other drugs, mental health and relationships. Over 55,000 people took part. The survey ran for 7 weeks in (May – June 2020)VIEW THE GLOBAL DRUG SURVEY RESULTSNational Drug Strategy Household Survey 2019 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Jack Revell from Drugswrap talks the week in drug news with us.Follow Drugswrap on Twitter Yarra Drug & Health Forum presents:International Overdose Awareness Day 2020 - Compassion Not JudgementDecades of expensive prohibition and policing haven’t reduced the harms associated with drug use. Policies focused on reducing harms and understanding people’s complex needs have produced far more positive results. A compassionate approach means understanding complex problems and appropriately resourcing responses that actually work.International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held on 31 August each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. Originating in Melbourne 2001, the day acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends by remembering those we have lost, or those who have sustained a permanent injury as the result of drug overdose. Our minds immediately go to illegal drugs when discussing overdose, however alcohol and prescription medication are two of our biggest killers.In honour of loved ones lost and dearly missed, our aim is to raise awareness and reduce stigma within our communities around this significant health issue.Guest speakersFamilies and people with lived experience of the impact of drug overdoseMC – Jason Vandy (Aaron Short Awareness Association)Mick ColtonCherie ShortDebbie Warner (APOD)Professionals:Prof. Margaret Hamilton AOSam Biondo (Victorian Alcohol And Drugs Association)Sione Crawford (Harm Reduction Victoria)Dr. Nico Clark (Medically Supervised Injecting Room)Politicians:Martin Foley MP (State Member for Albert Park, VIC Minister for Mental Health)Fiona Patten MLC (Northern Metro – Reason Party)Dr. Tim Read MP (Member for Brunswick – Victorian Greens) Supporters:Alcohol Prescription & Other Drugs Family Support (APOD)Addiction and the Family International Network (AFINet)Harm Reduction Victoria (HRVic)Victorian Alcohol And Drugs Association (VAADA)Aaron Short Awareness AssociationNorth Richmond Community HealthFamily Drug Support