I recently had the honour of representing both Drug Free Australia and DAESY by attending the virtual 2-day AddictionZ 2026 conference held in Queensland on 27-28 May.

Watching presenters who represented several organisations, from my Demand Reduction perspective, was extremely interesting.

As we have all come to understand, the main focus regarding drug policy has, over recent years, become increasingly directed towards Harm Reduction. Of course this is a necessary part of the equation, however, I am convinced that making HR the major focus is a huge mistake, denying the desperate need for more Demand Reduction.

Some of the addictions touched on included alcohol, Vapes, flavoured tobacco, Nitrous Oxide (nangs), AI addictions, gambling, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, phone/social media addictions, Methamphetamines, pre-natal meth exposure and a newer deadly synthetic opiate called nitazenes (more potent than Fentanyl). The ease at which youth and even young children can acquire illicit drugs was covered and of course, quite alarming.

There was a reasonable amount of content covering addictions in the indigenous and the LGBTQI+ (or rainbow+) communities as these are demographics with high levels of substance use and related issues. Neurodiversity and mental health issues were also covered.

I was particularly interested in hearing from the first, highly promoted speaker, Johan Hari, whose theories regarding the ‘Rat Park’ experiment, I had read about a few years earlier. Some of his theory regarding “connection between humans” as a preventative or healing factor in addiction, are absolutely relevant, however, this is clearly not the cure-all many of his supporters seem to think. The fact that Johan’s books on these theories have been NYC Best-sellers indicates huge support for this theory. He also seemed to infer that trauma was almost always the driver for addiction. Although often the cause, this is far from the only factor, as I can attest to in my own personal story.

However, as another presenter pointed out, despite Johan’s theory relating to the need for human connections to overcome addiction, many people gravitate towards negative connections with like-minded people, in this instance, other substance users. This type of connection would naturally increase substance use, rather than reduce it.

Another of his theories (in his book) was the fact that heroin users in Vietnam, during the war, often stopped using heroin when they returned to their homeland and back to the love and support of their families, which is a reality. However, the point missed here is that many of these traumatized veterans swapped their opiate addiction for other, more easily accessible substances like alcohol and cannabis etc.. And tragically, the suicide rates have also been high among these same traumatized people. Positive connection is extremely valuable, but the entire issue of addiction is far more complex.

Another presenter spoke on the use of naloxone (used for rapid reversal of opiate overdose) in particular regarding a move to make this drug more easily accessible. This was followed by a comment calling for “Harm Reduction not abstinence” which the speaker likened to “Moral judgement”!! While I don’t disagree with the concept of having a wider availability of a life-saving drug, to me this is clear evidence for a greater need for Demand Reduction and more prevention-based education.

Of course, the topic of ‘lived’ experience was covered, and I give my full support for that, however, the current name for this practice is “Lived and LIVING’ experience. In other words, those currently using drugs are being utilised to educate other users on how to “get stoned” safely. Given the known harms of substance use, I find this idea a huge step backwards in really helping those in need.

Although there were presenters and organisations that focused on the need for prevention, it was exceedingly obvious that this is not being emphasized or applied anywhere near enough.

A massive standout to me was the fact that much of the focus on Harm reduction, was involving the recovery side of HR with a focus on rehabilitation. Ie. picking up the pieces after the damage has been done.

This is a clear indication that far more prevention or Demand Reduction is desperately needed. We all know “Prevention is better than cure!”

A huge shout out to those who did focus on prevention, in particular, Commissioner Ivan Frkovic who has worked in the area of Mental Health and addiction for 30+ years. He listed the need for investment in Prevention, Treatment, Harm Reduction and Supply Reduction in that order on two occasions.

I must add that I am sure that people promoting and practicing Harm Reduction are doing this with good motivation, believing it is the only answer. I/we just happen to see this from a very different perspective. Harm Reduction is actually normalizing substance use, which can only lead to increased levels of addiction nationally and globally.

There was a forum for discussion where I entered a few personal comments and promoted the DFA Save Your Brain link etc., however, I did not see any other comments on this forum, so I have no idea if anyone else saw these comments or promotion.

Another thought that came from this heavily recovery-based conference is regarding the use of the name ‘Drug Free’. This name is often criticized by those who state, “this country will never be Drug Free.” However, the angle that clearly stood out to me, is that so many drug users are desperately trying to become “Drug Free”, supporting the fact that Drug Free Australia is an accurate name for an organization that is based on the promotion of Demand reduction. Ie. prevention and recovery. Just a thought.

Kerryn Redpath

Executive Committee Member DFA

Director DAESY