Dr Adrian Farrugia of the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University (ARCSHS) was this week awarded a $1,166,977 Australian Research Council Future Fellowship, aiming to inform innovative responses to youth drug use that reflect young people’s lived experiences and concerns in ways that more effectively reduce harm.
The project, titled ‘Reconceptualising harm reduction for young people’, will generate urgently needed new knowledge on the relationship between the priorities that currently guide harm reduction responses and young people’s own experiences of and perspectives on drug use.
“This project is designed to explore and address the complex and dynamic character of drug-related harms and young people’s alcohol and other drug use in general," said Dr Farrugia. "At a time when the social and even legal status of drugs are being contested globally, it’s crucial that we respond to this shifting landscape.”
The project will use a collaborative process involving novel theory, sophisticated methods and consultation with experts, service providers and young people.
Findings from the project will be used to create policy and practice responses that engage directly with young people’s perspectives, making them more relevant and effective.
“Overall, this project aims to produce a youth drug response framework accompanied by a suite of implementable resources for drug services, youth events and, importantly, young people themselves,” said Dr Farrugia.
Media enquiries: arcshs@latrobe.edu.au
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