Saturday Magazine

28 Oct 2023

Saturday, 28th, October, 2023: Novel Drugs, and Alarming Increase in Overdose Deaths in Victoria, Monica Barratt, RMIT

Current Affairs, Gender, Health, History, Interview, Joy, JOY 94.9, Joy 94.9, Joy Media, Joy Media, Media, Podcast, Saturday Magazine, Society & Culture

Fiona and Macca are joined live on air by Monica Barratt, Vice Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellow, Social Equity Research Centre and Digital Ethnography Research Centre, RMIT University,

in regards to her latest article about Novel drugs are leading to rising overdose deaths in Victoria – drug checking services could help.

‘Many of the harms people experience from using illegal drugs are a result of unregulated supply. Drugs may be contaminated, or completely substituted with something unexpected. They may also be of variable and unknown dosage or strength.

Any of these factors can and do lead to overdoses. That’s why 77 health and community organisations are urging the Victorian government to implement drug checking services. These could reduce overdose deaths, and provide an early warning system to flag any unusually dangerous substances in circulation.

The Victorian statement adds to similar calls in other Australian jurisdictions. Notably, in New South Wales, a Labor MP last week broke rank with his party to voice his support for the implementation of drug checking services.

https://theconversation.com/novel-drugs-are-leading-to-rising-overdose-deaths-in-victoria-drug-checking-services-could-help-215791

Article and photo courtesy of The Conversation.

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:31 — 19.9MB)

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7 Dec 2025

Saturday, 6th, Dec, 2025: Myles Russell-Cook, Artistic Director and CEO, ACCA; Highlights of his First Year

Art, Current Affairs, Interview, Joy, JOY 94.9, Joy 94.9, Joy Media, Joy Media, Media, News & Politics, Podcast, Saturday Magazine, Society & Culture

Kenny and Sally talk to Myles Russell-Cook, Artistic Director and CEO, ACCA; Highlights of his First Year. Myles discusses his first year ...

7 Dec 2025

Saturday, 6th, Dec, 2025: Dr Varun Kommidi GP, Prahran Market Clinic, TGA Announces Some Concerns over Ozempic.

Current Affairs, Interview, Joy, Joy 94.9, Joy Media, Media, News & Politics, Podcast, Saturday Magazine, Society & Culture

Sally and Kenny are joined live in the studio by Dr Varun Kommidi, GP, Prahran Market Clinic. The TGA has ...

6 Dec 2025

Saturday, 6th, Dec, 2025: Jenna Tuke, CEO Switchboard Victoria, 2025 Retrospective.

Current Affairs, Gender, Health, History, Interview, Joy, Joy 94.9, Joy Media, Joy Media, Media, News & Politics, Podcast, Saturday Magazine, Society & Culture

Sally and Kenny were joined live in the studio by Switchboard CEO, Jenna Tuke, as they discuss her highs & ...