Mark Eustice – or Wally, as he’s known to many – is a former AFL player who turned out for Essendon, Richmond and Sydney Swans. Like many professional athletes, his career was defined not only by remarkable achievements, but also the trauma of relentless competition in an unforgiving, high-pressure environment. He struggled to adapt to life after early retirement, filling the void with cocaine and alcohol, not yet ready to face up to the mental health issues that dogged him during his career.   Mark’s now more than 14 years’ sober, but the mental health challenges have persisted, and ..read more

Our guest this time is David Higham, founder of The Well, a peer-run alcohol and other drug (AOD) service in the northwest of England. For more than 20 years, David was a habitual heroin user more accustomed to life in prison than the outside world. He joined a 12-step program during his final stay at Her Majesty’s pleasure, and his story since has been one of great achievement. After prison David embarked on a career in the AOD sector, where often he encountered services that offered solutions to problematic drug use but not necessarily its underlying causes, nor the question of what comes ne ..read more

Pharmacotherapy is a treatment for opioid dependence that plays a vital role in many Victorians' lives.  In response to COVID-19, a number of changes were made to the way it is delivered. Some of these changes had profound effects on peoples' lives, and there is ongoing debate as to which, if any, should be kept beyond the pandemic period.    For part 1 we get a firsthand view of the changes from a group of consumers. Please also check out part 2 for an interview with Sarah Lord, who works at Pharmacotherapy Advocacy, Mediation & Support, a service of Harm Reduction Victoria ..read more

Pharmacotherapy is a treatment for opioid dependence that plays a vital role in many Victorians' lives.  In response to COVID-19, a number of changes were made to the way it is delivered. Some of these changes had profound effects on peoples' lives, and there is ongoing debate as to which, if any, should be kept beyond the pandemic period.    In part 2 we hear from Sarah Lord, who works at Pharmacotherapy Advocacy, Mediation & Support (PAMS), a service of Harm Reduction Victoria. Sarah gives an inside perspective on how some of the changes were designed and implemented, thei ..read more

Our guest for this episode is Garry Rothman, a financial counsellor at Odyssey House. Many people are facing financial strife after the year we’ve just experienced, but drug dependency and its aftermath can certainly be a cause and complicating factor. Garry offers a fascinating insight into his work in the AOD sector, as well as some indispensable information and advice for dealing with crises. In the episode, Garry refers to the National Debt Helpline, whose number is 1800 007 007, and the Work and Development Program, which can assist vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Victoria to deal ..read more

For this episode we spoke to Lyle May, who among other things is an inmate on Death Row at Central Prison in Raleigh, North Carolina, in the States. The occasion for the interview was the release of Crimson Letters, Voices from Death Row, a collection of essays that Lyle co-authored with journalist Tessie Castillo and three fellow prisoners.  We weren’t able to discuss the specifics of Lyle’s case because it’s under appeal, but the bare details are that he was convicted and sentenced to death in 1999 for a double murder committed in 1997. Instead, we discussed his upbringing and struggles ..read more

31 August is International Overdose Awareness Day.  For Part 2 of this special episode to mark the occasion, we spoke to researchers Renae Fomiatti and Adrian Farrugia, from the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at Latrobe University, about two of their recent projects, Overdose Lifesavers and Further Perspectives on Alcohol, which focus on Naloxone and heavy drinking, respectively. You can learn more about both projects at livesofsubstance.org This was a particularly relevant conversation given Naloxone's capacity to prevent opioid overdoses, and the often-overlooked ..read more

31 August is International Overdose Awareness Day. Being unable to gather in person, we asked listeners for their personal remembrances of loved ones lost to overdose. The resulting tributes are equal parts sad and joyful. They also make an implicit case against stigma and for decisive action on this urgent and tragic issue. We thank everyone who contributed and offer best wishes and solidarity to anyone marking this occasion. Be sure also to check out Part 2, an interview with researchers from Latrobe Uni about take-home Naloxone, a key tool in the prevention of opioid overdoses, and heavy dr ..read more

The world is changing fast due to COVID-19. As part of APSU's broader effort to understand the impact on people who use alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, Straight From the Source is inviting a range of consumers and peer workers to share their experiences. Our guest in the final episode of this miniseries is a resident at Windana's therapeutic community. Much has changed at Maryknoll, where Windana's residential facility - often referred to as 'the farm' - is situated. By this account, the community is holding up well, with staff and residents alike proving highly adaptable – co ..read more

The world is changing fast due to COVID-19. As part of APSU's broader effort to understand the impact on people who use alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, Straight From the Source is inviting a range of consumers and peer workers to share their experiences. Our guest in this episode is Brian, a resident at SHARC's Oxford Houses.  Oxford Houses provides accommodation and support to people in recovery. The program emphasises self-help and community, but the latter can be harder to access these days. While Brian has adapted well, thanks to his own resilience and the support of ..read more