News

Professor Kate Dolan of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) will share the stage with Richard Branson, UK entrepreneur, in a special session at the 20th International AIDS Conference in Melbourne on 22 July. The panel, which will be co-chaired by the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG and Professor Adeeba Kamarulzaman from Malaysia, will discuss reform of drug policies worldwide as a response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic among people who inject drugs. Michel Kazatchkine, UN Secretary General Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Dr Alex Wodak and Peter Dunne, Member of Parliament in New Zealand, are also on the panel. 

Professor Dolan has also been awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship to investigate managed alcohol programs in the UK, the US and Canada. While no such programs exist in Australia they have enjoyed some success in these countries. The controversial programs involve giving small amounts of alcohol to chronic alcoholics from marginalised populations such as the homeless. 

Professor Dolan will receive the fellowship award at a Government House Presentation Ceremony on Friday 1 August.