In this episode of The Latest, we’re joined by Professor Nadine Ezard, one of Australia’s leading voices in harm reduction and public health. With more than 30 years’ experience, Professor Ezard is the inaugural Director of the National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCRED) at UNSW and Clinical Director of the Alcohol and Drug Service at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney.
We explore how stigma and structural barriers continue to shape drug and alcohol services – particularly for LGBTIQ+ people. Professor Ezard speaks candidly about the persistent gaps in data, treatment models, and the visibility of specific communities – including trans, bisexual and intersex people – in both research and care.
From the “double stigma” of being LGBTIQ+ and having a substance use disorder, to the role of community-led responses, she calls for smarter, more compassionate approaches to drug education, and for a shift away from criminalisation toward evidence-based public health. We also unpack methamphetamine, GHB, and ketamine use in queer communities – and how understanding the difference between use and disorder is critical to reducing harm.
Professor Ezard highlights the power of peer-led models, outlines key policy changes that could have the biggest impact, and shares a sneak peek into upcoming trials – including a world-first clinical treatment for methamphetamine withdrawal.
This is an episode full of practical insights, compassionate care, and a call to centre lived experience in our health responses. It’s a must-listen for anyone working in LGBTIQ+ health, harm reduction, or community care.
Take home naloxone: saving lives through free access
This episode contains reference to the Australian Government’s Take Home Naloxone (THN) program – a national initiative providing free access to naloxone for people at risk of opioid overdose and those likely to witness one.
What is naloxone?
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that temporarily reverses the effects of opioid overdoses, including those involving prescription opioids like oxycodone and morphine, as well as illicit opioids such as heroin. It works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, helping restore normal breathing until emergency medical assistance arrives. Naloxone can be administered via nasal spray or injection and is safe to use even if an opioid overdose is not confirmed.
