Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

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Orygen @orygen.org.au · 1d

Applications are open for the ASEAN-Pacific Youth Mental Health Fellowship!

This opportunity is open to people aged 18 to 30, from Australia or the ASEAN-Pacific region, who are passionate about creating positive change in youth mental health: bit.ly/3LcnAGH

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NCYSUR - National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research @ncysur.bsky.social · 1d

Meet the NCYSUR Team: PhD student Jiaxin Li

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The Center for Drug Use and HIV Research (CDUHR) @cduhr.bsky.social · 1d

Adults 65 Years and Older Not Immune to the Opioid Epidemic, New Study Finds
“Our analysis shows that older adults are also impacted by fentanyl-related deaths and that stimulant involvement has become much more common in this group."
www.asahq.org/about-asa/ne...

Adults 65 Years and Older Not Immune to the Opioid Epidemic, New Study Finds

Overdose deaths in adults age 65 and older from fentanyl mixed with stimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamines, have surged 9,000% in the past eight years, matching rates found among younger adu...

www.asahq.org

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Garth Mullins @garthmullins.bsky.social · 1d

We started DULF because we knew nobody was coming to save us, so we had to save ourselves. It worked. But right wing politicians made themselves famous off scapegoating us. The government de-funded us. The cops raided us. But our day in court is here. thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...

Safe Drugs on Trial: DULF’s Trafficking Case Begins | The Tyee

The founders are charged with trafficking. Their lawyers argue they had a legal exemption from drug laws.

thetyee.ca

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Cracks in the Ice @cracksintheice.bsky.social · 1d

An Australian study found people with #MethamphetamineUseDisorder showed lower sensitivity to happy emotions and lower trust - highlighting that impaired social cognition and social decision-making may be associated with methamphetamine use disorder: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih....

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 22h

DULF showed us all the way. They were even acknowledged by the Premier as saving lives. Now the state is trying to punish them for it.
"In the recording, the [police] reply that this is 'great work that you’re doing' and that they are 'happy to assist in any way we can.'"

thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...

Safe Drugs on Trial: DULF’s Trafficking Case Begins | The Tyee

The founders are charged with trafficking. Their lawyers argue they had a legal exemption from drug laws.

thetyee.ca

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APSAD DAR @apsad-dar.bsky.social · 22h

Urgent Need for Pairing Training and Education With Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution

Megan K. Reed, Tracy Esteves Camacho, Kristin L. Rising, Rose Laurano, Danielle Albaciete, Stephen E. Lankenau

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

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APSAD @apsad.bsky.social · 1d

Say NO to City of Melbourne's plan to criminalise vulnerable people. Say NO to facial recognition CCTV on city streets.
c.org/hW5zgdScR4

Sign the Petition

Say NO to City of Melbourne's plan to criminalise vulnerable people

c.org

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NCETA @nceta.bsky.social · Sep 3

Our evaluation shows how a South Australian managed alcohol program supported health, culture, housing, medical support, government system navigation, capacity, resilience, & social connectedness for people experiencing homelessness doi.org/10.1111/dar.... @apsad-dar.bsky.social @apsad.bsky.social

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APSAD @apsad.bsky.social · 20d

Reminder: Deadline for accommodation with #APSAD25 registration is 29 Sept! After that, no reduced accommodation rate or booking via registration.

Book now: www.apsadconference.com.au/registration.... Don't miss out!

APSAD @apsad.bsky.social · 20d

We're very excited and honoured to announce two more plenary panel and keynote speakers for #APSAD25. Tracey McIntosh & Elder Gerry Oleman.

For more information on all our plenary panellists and speakers head to www.apsadconference.com.au/speakers

APSAD @apsad.bsky.social · 20d

Our next APSAD Smoking & Vaping Cessation Webinar will be 1pm AEST Tuesday 30 September.

James McLennan from Alcohol and Drug Services, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney will be taking us through Varenicline: It's better than you think.

Book your spot us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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Raimondo Bruno @psychopharmres.bsky.social · Jul 27

🇦🇺🦘 Clinicians working with clients for their substance use: have you tried something spontaneous and made a real therapeutic win? These moments are gold and need recording!📖
Share it in our short confidential survey & enter to win 1 of 5 $100 GiftPay vouchers. 👉 bit.ly/3GpQTXP
UTAS HREC #31605

share your therapeutic wins! head to bit.ly/3GpQTXP

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Cracks in the Ice @cracksintheice.bsky.social · Jul 27

A recent study involving gay and bisexual men who have sex with men engaging in #chemsex found self-censorship around sexual aspects of #methamphetamine use in counselling—and reliance on drugs for sex—were major barriers to reducing methamphetamine use. Read more: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih....

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Garth Mullins @garthmullins.bsky.social · Jul 21

Decriminalization was gutted by panicked politicians. There was no increased public use. But there was increased moral panic. Today several drug user groups are in court. We’re asking judges to review that decision. Wish us luck.

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ABC News Bot (unofficial) @abcnewsbot.bsky.social · Jul 21

Homelessness has risen to the "worst levels in living memory" in the first term of the Albanese government, advocacy groups warn, as the government grapples with advice that housing targets will not be met.

Women 'stuck' in refuges as housing crisis fuels worst homelessness 'in living memory'

Homelessness has risen to the "worst levels in living memory" in the first term of the Albanese government, advocacy groups warn, as the government grapples with advice that housing targets will not be met.

www.abc.net.au

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Burnet Institute @burnetinstitute.bsky.social · Jul 21

Burnet’s Professor Paul Dietze has a unique memento from the International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science in Rwanda – a custom-designed lab coat reimagined through the lens of HIV science, fashion, and activism. Find out more ... www.burnet.edu.au/news/paul-di...

Paul Dietze and his amazing technicolour HIV lab coat

Professor Paul Dietze has a unique memento from IAS2025, a custom-designed lab coat reimagined through the lens of #HIV science, fashion, and activism.

www.burnet.edu.au

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APSAD DAR @apsad-dar.bsky.social · Jul 21

Full research available Open Access - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

#PedTestAustralia, University of Queensland, @monashaddiction.bsky.social @monashuniversity.bsky.social @griffith.edu.au #QuIVAA

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dar.70007‬

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M_Bonn - Fentanyl Enthusiast @bonndotcom.bsky.social · Jul 7

filtermag.org/garth-mullin...

"I feel like Crackdown’s editorial board are the leaders of Canada’s drug policy family."

So lucky to interview @garthmullins.bsky.social for my latest in @filtermag.bsky.social...check it out below or buy the book wherever you buy your books!

Garth Mullins of "Crackdown" on Loss, Methadone and Drug-User Organizing

Podcast host Mullins spoke with Filter about his new memoir, "Crackdown: Surviving and Resisting the War on Drugs."

filtermag.org

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APSAD @apsad.bsky.social · Jul 7

We're excited to let you know that scholarship applications for #APSAD25 have been extended to 11:59pm AEST, Monday 14 July 2025.

CATEGORIES: First Peoples Scholarships, Student and Early Career Researcher Scholarships, Frontline Worker Scholarships, Community Scholarships.

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APSAD @apsad.bsky.social · Jul 7

#APSAD25 Late Breaker abstracts open for submissions.

Findings not ready by the first round deadline due to incomplete data? Have exciting new research? It's your last chance to be included in shaping this year's program.
Submission Deadline is 11:59pm AEST, Monday 28 July 2025

pink tile with black writing with late breakers open and submission deadline.

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Filter | harm reduction journalism @filtermag.bsky.social · Jun 25

"Jail-diversion programs are often viewed as compassionate. But what they effectively do is impose mandatory abstinence on low-income drug users, and can ultimately lead to more jail time than they'd have gotten in the first place."

Oregon Legislature Passes Fentanyl Criminalization Bill

SB 236, which creates a new statute for all fentanyl penalties including possession, was approved on June 24.

filtermag.org

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APSAD @apsad.bsky.social · Jun 25

Would receiving genetic testing results about your cardiac risk change your drinking habits? Tell us!

Complete a short 5 minute survey and contribute to St Vincent's Health Network Sydney's research.

Redcap survey link: redcap.link/8gzgyxc8

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · Jun 18

"We now suffer the moral distress of being medical experts in this field who are essentially forced to be handmaidens to a government policy that will cause more death. And not just death in the abstract — death of people we personally know and have cared for for years."

thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...

When Politicians Play Doctor, People Die | The Tyee

BC’s new rules on prescribed substitutes for toxic drugs open a dangerous door.

thetyee.ca

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BC-CfE @bccfe.bsky.social · Jun 19

Offering inhalation booths in a facility attached to the H2H Clinic, not only saves lives, but engages clients with the health care system.

@andreawoo.bsky.social reports on the impact of Vancouver City Council's decision on the #H2HCentre inhalation rooms.

www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...

Vancouver city council votes to allow safe inhalation sites

Decision to amend city’s health bylaws expands access to harm-reduction measure

www.theglobeandmail.com

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