Dr Jack Freestone

I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCCRED). I play a leading role in the stewardship of NCCRED’s Prompt Response Network (PRN), a nationwide, multisector and interdisciplinary network engaging more than 300 practitioners and 90 organisations contributing to drug monitoring systems across Australia. The PRN focuses on facilitating information exchange and supporting health-led, harm reduction responses to emerging drugs of concern.

Since commencing with NCCRED in July 2024, I have published multiple peer-reviewed journal articles on early warning systems in Australia, highlighting emerging drug-related issues and supporting timely, responsive harm reduction efforts. In collaboration with PRN colleagues and community-led organisations of people who use drugs, I am co-designing the Community Drug Reporting System—a platform that will enable individuals to self-report drug-related experiences into Australian monitoring frameworks in real time. This initiative aims to strengthen Australia’s capacity to rapidly detect emerging concerns and enable prompt, evidence-informed responses.

Prior to joining NCCRED, I held roles across community development, service delivery, program evaluation, and research within both non-government and government organisations. I was previously Manager of Drug and Alcohol and Sexual Health Programs at ACON, a community organisation focused on the health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) communities in New South Wales. In this role, I led teams of peer workers and health promotion staff delivering a range of interventions, including outreach, clinical services, and sector capacity building.

Concurrently with my work at ACON, I completed my PhD at the Kirby Institute. My doctoral research examined sexualised drug use among sexuality and gender diverse populations and led to the implementation and evaluation of a peer-led service for gay and bisexual men who have sex with men. This work was supported by an NHMRC Partnership Grant.

My longstanding work in the community sector, particularly in peer-led service delivery, has shaped my ongoing research interests in lived and living experience representation across research and practice. In recognition of this work, I was awarded the Australian Institute of Illicit and Injecting Drug Users (AIVL) Peer Researcher Recognition Award in 2025.

I welcome opportunities to collaborate and supervise Honours, Masters, and PhD students. My areas of interest include sexuality and LGBTQ+ populations, substance use, peer-led interventions, harm reduction, drug-related early warning systems, and emerging or new psychoactive substances. I have a strong interest in qualitative and implementation research.