Reducing The Burden Of Alcohol And Other Drug Use In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,805.00
Summary
Innovative research undertaken during the Fellowship program will provide new evidence of how best to respond to alcohol and other drug use. Partnerships with policymakers will ensure this evidence underpins Australian alcohol and other drug policy.
Reducing The Health, Social And Economic Burden Of Injecting Drug Use In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,606,037.00
Summary
Injecting drug use (IDU) is a disproportionately large source of health and social harm. This CRE unites Australia’s leading scientists in the IDU field – researchers working on blood-borne virus epidemiology and treatment, overdose prevention, justice health and psychiatric health - and experts from key non-government organisations. The CRE will develop new ways to improve the health of injecting drug users, and reduce the health and social burden of IDU to the Australian community.
The Epidemiology Of Substance Use Among Forced Migrant Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,451.00
Summary
People who are forcibly displaced from their homes due to conflict, disaster or state-sanctioned deportation are vulnerable to substance use. My fellowship focuses on deportees on the US-Mexico border and refugees in Australia. I will address key knowledge and evidence gaps regarding the complex relationships between forced migration and substance use, informing the development of targeted public health responses to reduce the prevalence and consequences of substance use among these populations
The Risk Factors For Ecstasy And Related Drug Overdose: A Case-crossover Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,755.00
Summary
Our ability to respond to the emergent harms of Ecstasy and Related Drug (ERD) use is hampered by our lack of understanding of the practices users engage in that place them at risk of harm. This study will examine the risk factors for non-fatal ERD Emergency Department (ED) admission in a sample of non-fatal ERD overdose victims recruited through two hospital EDs in Melbourne. The research involves a case-crossover study of the risk factors for ERD-related ED admission, as well as a detailed cas ....Our ability to respond to the emergent harms of Ecstasy and Related Drug (ERD) use is hampered by our lack of understanding of the practices users engage in that place them at risk of harm. This study will examine the risk factors for non-fatal ERD Emergency Department (ED) admission in a sample of non-fatal ERD overdose victims recruited through two hospital EDs in Melbourne. The research involves a case-crossover study of the risk factors for ERD-related ED admission, as well as a detailed case series of ERD-related ED admissions. The case-crossover investigation will involve a comparison between behaviours occurring prior to the critical drug use episode with typical drug use behaviours and more specifically those occurring prior to a control use episode (another occasion on which ERDs were used). Data will be collected by Researchers positioned in the ED, with information collected on the specifics of the critical and control use episodes through interviews with participants following stabilisation and a return to consciousness. The case series will be established from all ERD-related ED admissions flagged as such by triage nurses. Potential risk factors under study will include the environmental conditions in which the drug was used (eg time of day, physical location), other drug taking behaviour, personal factors (eg asthma, depression) and other dose-related issues (eg amount purchased, source of purchase). Statistical analysis will establish the major differences between the critical, typical and control use episodes. The proposed research will examine risk factors for ERD-related harms within the context of an understanding of the usual practices and behaviour of users of these drugs. Identifying transient change in risk behaviours will provide a foundation for developing contextually-sensitive strategies for harm minimisation. The development of a detailed case series will impact upon the treatment and management of acute ERD-related harms.Read moreRead less
Young Adult Social Transitions - Course Of Mental And Behavioural Disorders:The Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,750.00
Summary
The paths young people follow into adulthood have changed markedly in the past three decades. Traditionally the adoption of a role as marital partner, parent and fulltime employee in the late teens and early twenties was accompanied by a diminution or 'maturing out' of health risk behaviours and emotional problems arising in adolescence. The social transitions into adulthood are now both delayed and in many instances changed with higher rates of cohabitation, extended teriary educational partici ....The paths young people follow into adulthood have changed markedly in the past three decades. Traditionally the adoption of a role as marital partner, parent and fulltime employee in the late teens and early twenties was accompanied by a diminution or 'maturing out' of health risk behaviours and emotional problems arising in adolescence. The social transitions into adulthood are now both delayed and in many instances changed with higher rates of cohabitation, extended teriary educational participation and part-time employment. The effect of these social changes on health risk behaviours, behavioural and mental disorders is uncertain. This proposal will undertake a further follow-up in the late twenties of a group of just under 2000 young Victorians, already studied from the age of 14 years through to the age of 24 years. This study will assess the persistence of behavioural problems such as smoking and nicotine dependence, excessive alcohol consumption and dependence, cannabis dependence, illicit drug use, risk sexual behaviour, depression and anxiety disorders. The extent to which these may be associated with successful negotiation of transitions in education, employment, relationships, parenthood and establishing an independent home will be evaluated. Alternative explanations including the severity of dependence syndrome, personality, social background and genetic risk factors will also be explored.Read moreRead less
Opioid Dependent Persons In Pharmacotherapy: Blood Borne Viruses And Cancer Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$88,495.00
Summary
Opioid dependent persons in pharmacotherapy in NSW are at increased risk of death from cancer. We will examine the occurrence of infection with hepatitis and HIV among this high-risk population using data linkage. We will define the relationship between infection, the duration, frequency and type of pharmacotherapy, and cancer risk. The findings will guide effective strategies that will reduce cancer incidence and mortality among this group, and minimise the associated health care costs.
Parental Supply Of Alcohol To Children: Associations With Early Adult Health – “binge” Drinking, Alcohol-related Harms, Aggression, And Alcohol Use Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,143,477.00
Summary
We will investigate of the impacts of parental supply of alcohol between 13-18 years, on early adult alcohol use (19-23 years). We will follow an existing cohort of ~1,810 parent-child dyads, and assess the development of alcohol use, disorders, harms and aggression. We will investigate the impacts of: parental supply of sips vs drinks; supervised vs unsupervised supply; and modifying effects of contexts of supply and mediators (such as peer, child factors, etc.) controlling for confounders.
Reducing The Burden Of Disease Due To Hazardous Alcohol Consumption
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$652,765.00
Summary
I am a behavioural scientist interested in the causes and prevention of hazardous alcohol consumption. I propose a program of research examining methods in behavioural science, risk factors for hazardous drinking, the development and evaluation of interventions to reduce hazardous drinking, and the evaluation of policies affecting the supply and promotion of alcohol. I lead a research team with strong collaborations with leading scientists in Australia and other countries.
Genes, Biology And Environment In The Development Of Substance Use And Mental Health Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$475,910.00
Summary
Substance use and mental health disorders are major public health problems which cause long-term disabilities, poor health and early mortality. Addressing these problems requires a better understanding of the genetic, biological and environmental factors leading to these disorders. This research program represents a unique opportunity to increase our knowledge of the origins and mechanisms behind these disorders and significantly contribute to improved substance use and mental health prevention ....Substance use and mental health disorders are major public health problems which cause long-term disabilities, poor health and early mortality. Addressing these problems requires a better understanding of the genetic, biological and environmental factors leading to these disorders. This research program represents a unique opportunity to increase our knowledge of the origins and mechanisms behind these disorders and significantly contribute to improved substance use and mental health prevention policies and programs.Read moreRead less
The RADAR Project: Identifying Early Warning Signals On The Pathways To Alcohol Use Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$884,321.00
Summary
The transition from alcohol initiation to an alcohol use disorder is a crucial yet under-studied research area. The current project will characterise the natural history of alcohol use disorder and identify modifiable factors that increase or decrease the likelihood of developing an alcohol use disorder once alcohol use begins. This information will guide prevention of, and early intervention for, this disabling disorder.