About this webinar:

The use of crystal methamphetamine and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) to enhance sex (chemsex) has been widely researched over the past ten years. Chemsex research documents a spate of associated pleasures, motivations and harms and frequently calls for tailored interventions. In this seminar, Dr Jack Freestone presented his research on implementing community and peer-led chemsex interventions.

About this speaker:

Jack Freestone is a post-doctoral research fellow at the National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCCRED). Prior to commencing with NCCRED, Jack was the manager of drug and alcohol, and sexual health programs at ACON, a community organisation specialising in the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ populations in New South Wales. Jack completed his PhD at The Kirby Institute. His research focussed on sexualised drug use among sexually and gender-diverse populations and peer-led services for gay and bisexual men who have sex with men. As part of his PhD candidature, Jack co-designed, implemented and formatively evaluated M3THOD, a peer-led brief intervention service for gay and bisexual men who use crystal methamphetamine or GHB in the context of sex. Jack’s longstanding employment within the community sector and his experience delivering peer-led services have instilled in him an ongoing research interest in lived and living experience representation, research, and service delivery.

About the panel:

Bo Justin Xiao

Bo Justin Xiao is an experienced health promotion coordinator and leader, currently serving as Coordinator for Chemsex & HIV Leadership Programs at ACON since 2019. Bo Justin is the lead peer worker on ACON’s M3THOD chemsex peer support program.   Bo Justin has also held a position as a Board Director for the National Association of People with HIV. Bo Justin’s work focuses on harm reduction, sexual health, and HIV support, including developing online referral systems and coordinating peer support programs, workshops, and events to improve community health and well-being.  

Adam Bourne

Professor Adam Bourne is a Visiting Professorial Fellow at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, and Professor of Public Health & Director of the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) at La Trobe University. Before moving to Australia in 2017, Adam spent a decade at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, leading HIV risk and prevention research. His work focuses on LGBTIQ health, mental health, substance use, and family violence. Adam serves as Co-Chair of the Victorian LGBTIQ Taskforce, sits on the Thorne Harbour Health Board, and advises global organizations like UNAIDS, WHO, and the World Bank.

John Gobeil

John has over 20 years of experience in community health, focusing on health promotion and harm reduction. John has held senior executive roles in Australia and internationally, specialising in NGO management, leadership, and peer workforce development. In 2023, John joined the Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) as CEO. With a background in frontline and leadership roles across multicultural, harm reduction, and HIV organisations, John has successfully improved services, built capacity, and enhanced sustainability. As a neurodivergent LGBTQ+ PWUD peer and CALD/ESL migrant, he advocates for self-determination, equity, and social justice, driven by a commitment to human rights and community-led change.