NCETA in the Media

August 2015
NCETA

NCETA has attracted considerable media attention over the last two months. Several media outlets have contacted NCETA in relation to its research about methamphetamine and cannabis use and harms in the community, as well as the efficacy and reliability of workplace alcohol and drug testing in reducing employee AOD use and associated workplace harms. 

Typical questions include:

  1. Are more people using (insert name of relevant drug)
  2. What can the community/workplaces/schools/individuals do about people using (insert name of relevant drug)
  3. How can we prevent people using (insert name of relevant drug). 

 

Professor Ann Roche

Professor Ann Roche responded to several media enquiries in relation to Ice, cannabis, and addiction. Ann discussed:

  • The impact of ice on the brain on Today Tonight (SA) on Monday 20 July 2015 Watch the episode here
  • Whether Australia was experiencing an ‘Ice epidemic’ with Mark Colvin from ABC Radio Read the story here
  • The increase in the number of older people using cannabis with Rebecca Puddy from The Australian Read the story here
  • The impact of social disadvantage and unemployment on AOD use in regional and rural areas with Australian Regional Media Read the story here
  • The issues of mandatory rehabilitation for alcohol addiction in the Medical Journal of Australia which can be read here.
  • The importance the South Australian Methamphetamine Forum had for informing AOD workers about the trends, implications, and evidence-based options available to respond to methamphetamine affected clients. Click on the links provided to listen to the interviews by Channel 7  and Channel 9 News – Adelaide.

  

Dr Ken Pidd

Dr Ken Pidd spoke with Sue Lannin from The World Today about the introduction of mandatory drug testing in workplaces. The interview was held in response to concerns expressed by industry groups and trade unions about the impact of methamphetamine on workplaces. Read the transcript and/or listen to the podcast here. 

The Daily News Online (based in the United States) also recently liaised with Dr Pidd about an article on the effectiveness of workplace drug testing. The article was published online on 25 July 2015 and referred to an NCETA paper that was published in Accident Analysis and Prevention in 2014. Read the article here.

 

Associate Professor Nicole Lee

Associate Professor Nicole Lee has been interviewed by various media outlets about methamphetamines, particularly Ice. 

  • Radio Adelaide 101.5FM. This interview was based on A/Professor Lee’s article in The Conversation and responded to a call by a Northern Territory politician to introduce random drug testing in workplaces and nightclubs and civil penalties such as fines, rather than criminal sanctions. Listen to the podcast 
  • Fresh FM 92.7. A/Professor Lee also talked to Fresh FM about the changes being seen in the way people use methamphetamine, the impacts of methamphetamine, and the recovery process and options for methamphetamine users. Listen to the podcast 
  • ABC Local Radio (SA Northwest): A/Professor Lee was interviewed about a community methamphetamine forum held in Port Augusta on Wednesday 29 July 2015. She was an invited speaker at the forum which was organised by Red Cross Australia and South Australia Police.