Heavy Cannabis Use In Two Remote Aboriginal Communities: Prospects For A Population Based Intervention.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$301,814.00
Summary
The proposed study is a combined intervention and summative evaluation with two parallel strands. We proposed to develop, deliver and evaluate an educational instrument targeting the use of cannabis amongst Aboriginal people living in remote communities in the Northern Territory. Additionally we proposed to describe and model harmful behaviours and effects of substance misuse with a focus on cannabis and to explore in some detail Aboriginal cultural knowledge and attitudes towards harm and harmf ....The proposed study is a combined intervention and summative evaluation with two parallel strands. We proposed to develop, deliver and evaluate an educational instrument targeting the use of cannabis amongst Aboriginal people living in remote communities in the Northern Territory. Additionally we proposed to describe and model harmful behaviours and effects of substance misuse with a focus on cannabis and to explore in some detail Aboriginal cultural knowledge and attitudes towards harm and harmful behaviours related to substance misuse using self-reported estimates and life histories.Read moreRead less
What Can We Learn About Cannabis Vaping Through The Internet?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$61,192.00
Summary
More research is required to address the growing popularity of vaping as a novel method of delivering cannabis in order to minimise harm to mental health, especially in adolescents. This project will examine: 1) the latest trends in cannabis vaping, 2) cannabis vaping communications using data from online cryptomarkets, videos, and social media platforms. The knowledge generated can inform debate and future policies around cannabis use, which is timely and highly controversial in Australia.
The Impact Of Breast Density Notification In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Breast density is an independent risk factor for breast cancer and it increases the risk of having a cancer missed during screening. Notifying women about their breast density has been endorsed as a way to combat this risk. However, the evidence to support breast density notification and recommendations for supplemental screening in the general population of women is far from clear. This research will provide critical new evidence to ensure that Australian women receive evidence-based care.
Minimising Uptake Of E-cigarettes And Encouraging Cessation Among Australian Adolescents And Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Efforts are needed to address the growing use of e-cigarettes among Australians to prevent potential increases in smoking rates and minimise harm. My research aims to: 1. Develop and test a model examining predictors of e-cigarette use and susceptibility to use among adolescents and adults. 2. Develop, implement, and evaluate messages that effectively minimise uptake and encourage cessation of e-cigarette use. 3. Develop resources for stakeholders that provide guidance on managing use.
Understanding The Methamphetamine Epidemic And Its Implications For Service Provision And Harm Reduction: The VicMeth Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,270,774.00
Summary
The Victorian methamphetamine epidemic has received extensive media coverage highlighting the devastating impact of the drug and resultant public concern. We will follow up a cohort of 800 methamphetamine smokers from metropolitan and regional Victoria bi-annually for a period of 5 years to determine the natural history of methamphetamine use to inform optimal intervention strategies and arrest the increases in harm observed in Victoria recently.
ACTION - Aggression In Children: Unravelling Gene-environment Interplay To Inform Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,871.00
Summary
Aggression inflicts a huge personal, psychological and financial burden on affected individuals, their relatives, and society at large. ACTION will deliver an overarching framework that combines a thorough understanding of pathways leading to aggression with a map of current gaps, best practices on clinical, ethical, legal, and social issues.
Preventing Alcohol Related-harms: Using Comparative Policy Analysis To Study The Effects And Development Of Local Government Alcohol Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Regulating the availability of alcohol is one of the most effective ways to reduce harm from alcohol consumption, and local governments have a significant role. This Fellowship provides the first systematic examination of the impact of local government regulation of alcohol availability. The findings can inform Australian planning and licensing policies to help support appropriate regulation of alcohol outlets in order to reduce alcohol-related harm.
New Approaches To Internet-based Substance Use Prevention For Australian Adolescents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$83,149.00
Summary
This research aims to explore internet-based prevention programs for substance use among young people. Specifically, this thesis aims to evaluate the online, cartoon-based Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis program and to develop and assess the Climate Schools: Ecstasy Module. It is anticipated that these programs will be effective in reducing alcohol and drug use, increasing drug-related knowledge and reducing intentions to use substances.
Ecstasy use is growing faster throughout the world than than any other drug of abuse. United Nations figures from 2003 show that it is used by more individuals than the combined total of cocaine and heroin users. Australia has the highest per capita use of 'Ecstasy' in the world with rates twice those of North Americal and Europe. As a result of this we also have a high rate of adverse effects. These can be immediate, and lead to death, or long term leading to brain damage and psychopathologies. ....Ecstasy use is growing faster throughout the world than than any other drug of abuse. United Nations figures from 2003 show that it is used by more individuals than the combined total of cocaine and heroin users. Australia has the highest per capita use of 'Ecstasy' in the world with rates twice those of North Americal and Europe. As a result of this we also have a high rate of adverse effects. These can be immediate, and lead to death, or long term leading to brain damage and psychopathologies. So far, no studies have been conducted,anywhere in the world, which have objectively examined the medical effects of 'ecstasy' in the dance clubs where it is used. Because of this, there is a lot of speculation on whether the animal based or hospital based studies are valid and relate to normal recreational use of this drug. This has led to a degree of suspicion by users and health professionals as to the medical problems claimed to be associated with the drug. This project extends a pilot study we undertook which has highlighted that in a recreational setting it is likely that specific individuals are susceptible to damage by 'ecstasy'. The purpose of this project is to examine this in detail, and identify who, and why some young persons are at risk of immediate life threatening outcomes from 'ecstasy' use or may develop brain damage later. The intended outcome is to provide clear evidence of adverse effects and why they occur. This evidence may be used to improve harm minimisation and treatment programs.Read moreRead less