VIFM at VAADA (Keynote) - The rise of novel psychoactive substances in Australia

VIFM at VAADA 2025 (Keynote) - The rise of novel psychoactive substances in Australia, challenges for drug surveillance and public health.

The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association Inc. (VAADA) is the peak body representing publicly-funded AOD services in Victoria. The VAADA conference is their major annual event and this year's theme was "From Challenges to Solutions: Responding to a Changing World."

The VIFM's Assoc Prof Jenn Schumann, Head of the Drug Intelligence Unit, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and lecturer at Monash University delivered the keynote.

Excerpt from VAADA (19 Feb 2025) - "Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) present a significant public health risk to Australia, with widespread and increasing detections among clinical and forensic casework. Of particular concern are potent synthetic opioids, such as nitazenes, which can be many times more potent than fentanyl. This presentation will examine the rise of NPS in Australia and the challenges associated with the rapid emergence of these substances in the unregulated drug market, including the detection and monitoring of emerging NPS, and response to harms caused by intentional and unintentional exposure. Responding to NPS requires a multifaceted approach involving harm reduction strategies, enhanced surveillance systems, and collaboration among healthcare providers, law enforcement, and policymakers."

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