About this webinar:

Nitrous oxide (N2O), colloquially known as “laughing gas” or “nangs”, is a dissociative anaesthetic that has become increasingly popular among young people. The growing popularity of N2O can be attributed to its ease of access through social media and messaging platforms. Concerns about the harmful effects of N2O on users’ physical and psychological health have grown, yet this growing concern is not matched by harm reduction support. This mismatch highlights not only the need to develop harm reduction resources for N2O but also the necessity for these resources to be adapted for use on social media platforms. This presentation will focus on research into the lived experiences of young people who used N2O, aiming to develop harm reduction resources for dissemination on social media.

About the speakers:

Professor Julaine Allan is a Professor of Mental Health and Addictions at the Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, and a Senior Visiting Fellow at NDARC, UNSW Sydney. Julaine is a researcher-practitioner in substance use and mental health with a background in social work and human rights. She has worked in mental health, child protection and substance treatment. Her current research investigates the implementation of psycho-social interventions for substance dependence and the provision of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) mental health services for young people and people with cognitive impairment.

Associate Professor Jacqui Cameron is an experienced social work practitioner and researcher at the University of Wollongong, with a passion for translating research into practice. She combines her extensive skills in knowledge translation, qualitative research, and project management. Jacqui has extensive experience in the AOD field. She collaborates with frontline services to utilise evidence to inform practice and manage complex issues. In her research, she is motivated by the influence of ‘real-world’ practitioner expertise and the voices of service users with lived experience. Her ability lies in engaging with practitioners and lived-experience participants with enthusiasm and credibility.