Highly-competitive national MRFF funding for NDRI-led project
A team led by a senior researcher from the National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) at Curtin University has won a highly competitive Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant to address the risk of young people unknowingly taking dangerous drug combinations at music festivals and school leavers events.
Led by NDRI Professor Simon Lenton, the ‘Identifying, evaluating and responding to the risk and impact of polysubstance use’ project is co-led by people with lived experience, researchers and health services. Researchers will work closely with young people to better understand and reduce the harms caused by polysubstance use and the hidden presence of dangerous synthetic substances.
The three-year national collaborative project is supported by a $1.3m grant from the Australian Government through the MRFF targeted at drug use by young people under the 2024 Alcohol and Other Drugs initiative.
The project brings together experts from NDRI, Royal Perth Hospital and the Australian National University, Monash University and the University of Tasmania working in partnership with Harm Reduction Victoria, Peer Based Harm Reduction WA, Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy, Pill Testing Australia and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
Young Australians aged 16 to 24 will be invited to take part in the study by completing anonymous surveys before and after music festivals and school leavers events, and through short daily surveys via mobile phone.
The research will also incorporate data from drug checking and health services to build a clearer picture of what substances people have actually used and how they affect their mental and physical health. It will engage with services and young people with lived experience to co-design effective responses to prevent and reduce health harms.
Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research John Curtin Distinguished Professor Melinda Fitzgerald congratulated the research team on receiving important funding to address a growing public health issue.
“This work is a vital step forward in reducing drug-related harm. By combining world-class research expertise with lived experience, this project is uniquely positioned to develop practical solutions that will ultimately save lives,” Professor Fitzgerald said.
Click here to learn about Professor Lenton's research
Posted on: 26 Sep 2025
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