Groundbreaking NHMRC-funded drug checking services research
The National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) at Curtin University is leading world-first research into drug checking services, with globally respected drug policy researcher Associate Professor Monica Barratt returning to NDRI.
As part of the $1.6m NHMRC-funded investigator grant, Strengthening Australia’s response to our increasingly toxic unregulated drug supply, Associate Professor Barratt will lead research across five distinct projects that further develop the evidence base for drug checking services and examine their effectiveness in reducing drug overdoses.
Research collaborators include drug checking services and drug academics in Australia and internationally.
"Monica's research program is made all the more timely and important following recent detection of new highly potent synthetic opioids, including nitazenes, and novel benzodiazepines in Australia,” NDRI Director Paul Griffiths said.
"The increased knowledge this program of research will deliver will strengthen the evidence base on how Australia can be better equipped to rapidly identify and respond to emerging drug threats, with the objective of preventing overdoses and saving lives.
"On a personal note, we at NDRI are thrilled to be welcoming Monica back into the NDRI family, with Monica’s association with NDRI dating back to the early 2000s including completing her PhD at NDRI in 2012."
Posted on: 1 Dec 2025
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