S2 Episode 7 (Part A): “Nice People Do Drugs” - Taking the Hi-Ground in Creative Practice in AOD Practice

Disclaimer: This episode contains mentions of drugs and other substances, and the mention of death of a young person. Please listen at your own discretion. Your mental health matters.

Note: The drug diversion program starts in 2024 when Brooke mentioned "next year" as we recorded this episode at the end of 2023

In this episode, Chen Li sits down and chats with Brooke about creative practice within the Alcohol and other Drugs space. The pair discuss the differences between harm reduction and harm minimisation within policy, referencing the National Drug Strategy and Queensland’s pill testing. Also discussed was the importance of a harm reduction approach to foster self-determination, education and choice. Brooke shares her story and anecdotes about her own experiences and how they have shaped her practice. Brooke also shares passionately two initiatives she has developed, Conscious Nest and Hi-Ground, which are programs she and her team have delivered at music festivals through creative practices, providing a safe and comfortable environment for festival-goers and young people who need some chill out time. Brooke and Chen Li discuss the value of peer to peer support, and unpack the stigma around drug and alcohol use and how it is often criminalised. Later in the episode, Brooke shares with listeners the importance of self-care, the risks of burn out, and how critical reflection opens a pathway for safe, creative, and fun praxis within the AOD space. Brooke generously shares her experiences from Canada and Australia, the ways in which harm reduction is approached differently, and the ways in which her programs provide support to the festival community and beyond. At its core, this episode challenges the biases of society, with Brooke discussing the way society frames drug and alcohol use, and the people who use them.

Transcript:

References/Resources:

“Achieving Balance” – Queensland Health Drug and Alcohol Strategy 2022 – 2027

https://6232990.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6232990/Achieving%20balance%20The%20Queensland%20Drug%20and%20Alcohol%20Plan%202022-2027.pdf

The National Drug Strategy 2017 – 2026 https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-drug-strategy-2017-2026

Harm Reduction Strategies https://adf.org.au/reducing-risk/staying-safe-events/harm-reduction-strategies/

Glossary of terms -

https://adf.org.au/resources/did-glossary/

Keywords: drug and alcohol use, creative practice, peer to peer support, harm reduction, harm minimisation, Conscious Nest, Hi-Ground, criminialisation, social justice, anti-oppressive, anti-establishment, trauma informed, self-care, critical reflection

Music by Boe Toweh

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