NDRI Director delivers synthetic drugs keynote to ED staff
NDRI Director Paul Griffiths recently delivered the opening keynote, focusing on emerging synthetic drug challenges, to a gathering of Emergency Department staff and laboratory scientists.
As part of his presentation, New synthetic opioids and other emerging drugs: The international situation and local implications, Professor Griffiths outlined international trends in availability and use of synthetic substances and local responses to the threat posed to Australia by the recent appearance of highly potent synthetic opioids.
The presentation was the opening talk at the Centre for Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine’s 18th Annual Research Symposium, attended by 35 people at Royal Perth Hospital in late October.
Professor Griffiths was joined on the program by Curtin University colleague Lindy Fitzgerald, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and John Curtin Distinguished Professor of Neurotrauma, who delivered the second keynote on Understanding mechanisms and predicting outcomes following traumatic brain injury.
CCREM is a unique unit established at Royal Perth Hospital that brings together clinical staff working in the Emergency Department (ED) and laboratory scientists using immunological and molecular biological techniques. Part of the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, the Centre investigates a range of conditions within the spectrum of diseases treated by EDs, from septic shock and concussion to illicit drugs.
CCREM leads the NHMRC-funded Emerging Drugs Network of Australia (EDNA), a national toxico-surveillance system involving sentinel Emergency Departments. It provides previously unavailable objective data on what illicit/novel drugs are causing acute harm in the community. The EDNA clinical registry is hosted at Curtin University via Professor Chris Reid’s group, and analyses are conducted by ChemCentre.
CCREM Head Professor Daniel Fatovich described Professor Griffith's talk as a fascinating overview of the global trends and public health aspects of emerging drugs. EDNA strengthens Australia's contribution to global surveillance networks, which dovetailed well with Prof. Griffith's presentation.
Posted on: 6 Nov 2025
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