Australia’s ageing population is contributing to increases in the number of older adults who use or inject drugs, said Burnet principal research fellow, Associate Professor Peter Higgs.
Speaking at the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) conference on Ngunnawal Country (Canberra), he explained that as people live longer, some continue using drugs into older age, creating new challenges for health and social care systems.
APSAD is the leading multidisciplinary organisation for professionals involved in the alcohol and other drug field in Asia Pacific.
Associate Professor Higgs' keynote presentation drew on data from published research papers and interviews he has been doing with individuals who continue to use and inject drugs aged 50 years and older.
His enduring relationships with cohorts of people using drugs are fostered by flagship projects from Burnet for over 20 years including the Networks study, SuperMIX and MIX/MAX.
"We've gathered unique access to people’s lives through a sustained presence in Melbourne street drug markets since the mid-1990s," he said.
"These insights provide a nuanced understanding of the complex health and medical challenges this population faces, including the serious social impacts of long-term drug use.
"Many in this population have to deal with stigma, isolation, and marginalisation, which often makes it even harder for them to access the healthcare and support services they need."
These challenges are compounded by the ageing process, leading to the onset of chronic diseases, mental health issues, and other complications from prolonged drug use.
With a background in social work, Associate Professor Higgs combines his experience in community development with methods from applied anthropology and field epidemiology in his collaborative research.
"We need to comprehensively enhance the quality of life for older adults with histories of injecting drug use because of the multifaceted issues they face," he said.
"Evidence-based practices, including harm reduction strategies, and integrated care models can address the immediate medical needs and consider the broader social aspects of people’s lives."
Also at APSAD 2024, Professor Paul Dietze, program director of Disease Elimination, presented ‘Data from the over 50s in SuperMIX Cohort Study.
Oisin Stronach, PhD candidate, presented the findings from 'An age–period–cohort–interaction analysis of methamphetamine-related deaths in Australia, 2001-2020'.