Media reports last week linked the use of “nangs” to the death of a teenager at schoolies week on the Gold Coast. Hamish Bidgood died when he fell from a balcony. He and his friends had reportedly been using “nangs”… Continue Reading
Michael White from SANDAS and Liam Engel critique recent coverage of the Australian Anti Ice Campaign in the South Australian media that suggest that this programme is effective at reducing methamphetamine-related harms. Continue Reading
On October 9th, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission sent out media releases based on their fifth National Wastewater Drug Monitoring report. ABC News coverage of the report rushes to crown Darwin as the new ‘ice capital’ of Australia, but gives minimal attention to the prominence of fentanyl, a leading cause of drug related deaths. Liam Engel reports. Continue Reading
On 13 September, Who Magazine published an article describing alpha-PVP (also known as ‘flakka’) as the new ‘zombie drug’ taking over Australia. Katie Horneshaw calls out Who’s reporting as having all the hallmarks of poor AOD journalism: exaggeration, sensationalism and dehumanisation. Continue Reading
Our response to Herald Sun dehumanising ‘exclusive’ last week that targeted people who are homeless and seeking shelter in a Melbourne carpark. Paul Aiken from Uniting ReGen reminds the media that this type of sensationlist and stigmatising reporting only perpetuates the marginalisation of already isolated and vulnerable people. Continue Reading