NUAA NSW

27/11/2025

⚠️ WARNING: MULTIPLE HIGH DOSE M**A TABLETS FOUND IN NSW ⚠️⁠
⁠
High dose M**A pills and capsules have been detected in NSW.⁠
These pills contain a higher dose than usually expected in M**A pills circulating in NSW.⁠
⁠
Effects to look out for:⁠
- Feeling really hot and sweaty⁠
- Racing pulse/heart or light-headedness⁠
- Rigid muscles (e.g. difficulty walking)⁠
- Uncontrolled repetitive movements⁠
- Confusion, agitation, paranoia, or aggression.⁠
- Vomiting⁠
- Seizures⁠
- Difficult to rouse / unconscious⁠
⁠
CALL 000 OR SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.⁠
⁠
Taking M**A increases the level of serotonin available in your brain, which is what gives the drug it’s ‘feel-good’ effects. Too much serotonin available in your brain can be very harmful, and can lead to Serotonin Syndrome. Serotonin Syndrome can be fatal, and has been a factor in some of the M**A-related deaths at NSW music festivals.⁠
⁠
You can reduce risk by avoiding:⁠
- redosing too often, or taking multiple M**A tablets at once.⁠
- rolling with other stimulants (e.g methamphetamine, co***ne and caffeine).⁠
- using M**A with anti-depressants.⁠
- taking M**A in hot environments (e.g music festivals, raves, indoor dance parties).⁠
⁠
For further advice or support call our PeerLine on 1800 644 413.⁠

See the full alert at the NSW Health website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/public-drug-alerts/Pages/default.aspx

27/11/2025

⚠️ WARNING: KETAMINE ANALOGUES FOUND IN NSW ⚠️⁠
⁠
Ketamine analogues have been detected in multiple powders and crystalline substances in NSW.

⁠
Effects to look out for:⁠

Hallucinations

Impaired coordination

Racing heart/pulse or light-headedness

Rigid muscles (e.g. difficulty walking), uncontrolled repetitive movements, seizures

Confusion or agitation, feeling aggressive,

Difficult to rouse or unconscious

Vomiting⁠

⁠
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED CALL 000 OR SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.⁠
⁠
Ketamine analogues copy Ketamine’s chemical makeup but can produce different effects, including stronger dissociation or hallucinatory episodes.
⁠
You can reduce your risk of having a bad trip by avoiding redosing too quickly if you don’t think you’re feeling the effects.

There are many reason why a substance might be taking longer to effect you, redosing is not a surefire way to speed up the effects and is just as likely to make you feel worse.
⁠
For further advice or support call our PeerLine on 1800 644 413.⁠

See the full alert at the NSW Health website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/public-drug-alerts/Pages/default.aspx

25/11/2025

REMINDER: WEBINAR TOMORROW!

📢 November EXPAND Webinar: Living with HIV & Drug Use⁠
Thursday Nov 27, 2PM-3PM⁠
⁠
This World AIDS Day webinar explores the lived realities of people living with
HIV who use drugs. It is a practical, experience-based conversation about the real challenges people face living with HIV whilst using drugs, and what needs to change in healthcare systems, language, and community attitudes.
⁠
🔗 Register today at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/P6vTEhMKT1OycRVJyhfKtA

21/11/2025

"We walk on the shoulders of giants, and I am so honoured I get to carry that torch."

🏆️ NUAA is proud to announce Shawnee Rose as the 2025 Hall of Fame recipient, which was presented at our AGM on Tuesday 18th November. Their journey from O.G. DanceWize volunteer to respected peer advocate and sector leader represents the transformative power of peer work, not just for individuals, but for the entire sector. Congratulations Shawnee! 🎉

In this Hall of Fame edition of Users News, Shawnee shares with us their story and wisdom, and reflects on their journey, impact, and hopes for the future.

Visit https://www.usersnews.com.au/home/nuaa-hall-of-fame-2025-shawnee-rose to read the full article. 🔗

19/11/2025

Drug Checking will be at Strawberryfields Festival this weekend. Find us by the medical tent.

At the service you will find;
❤️‍🩹Free Naloxone
🔬 Purity testing for most substances
🧑‍🤝‍🧑Peer harm reduction advice
🗑️Safe discard bin

Service is open 2-8pm Friday & 12-6pm Saturday. 🍓

19/11/2025

📢 November EXPAND Webinar: Living with HIV & Drug Use⁠
Thursday Nov 27, 2PM-3PM⁠
⁠
This World AIDS Day webinar explores the lived realities of people living with
HIV who use drugs. It is a practical, experience-based conversation about the real challenges people face living with HIV whilst using drugs, and what needs to change in healthcare systems, language, and community attitudes.
⁠
🔗 Register today at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/P6vTEhMKT1OycRVJyhfKtA

13/11/2025

NSW Drug Checking will be at Friday November 21 and Saturday November 22🍓

As usual NUAA drug checking peers will be on site to support the NSW Health team. We're also really excited to work with our southern partners from .

Like with previous events the drug checking service is located by medical and the DanceWize Vic care space.

Here's a quick overview for any punters using the service for the first time, particularly those crossing the border:

"Strawberry Fields is proud to support a free, anonymous, and non-judgemental Drug Checking Service as part of the NSW Health trial. Located next to the Medical tent, it is run by trained peers, health staff and scientists. The service lets you test a small sample of your substance and receive information on its contents, risks, and options to help you make an informed decision about your health and safety. Amnesty bins are available if you choose to dispose of any substances.

This is a fast, friendly service you can access without fear or judgement. The Drug Checking space is not monitored by the police, and the aim is simple: to reduce harm and help you make safer, more informed choices." 💪

12/11/2025

Huge congratulations to NUAA team member Rodd who won the AIVL Aboriginal Peer Worker Of The Year Award last month.

A much deserved award, we're so proud of Rodd and the work he's done for NUAA and the community.

Photography by (on Instagram)

11/11/2025

🔎 NUAA is hiring
⁠
We're looking for an Consumer Research Coordinator to join our team here at NUAA. ⁠

⁠📝⁠Applications close at 9am, Monday November 24th.

The Consumer Research Coordinator will coordinate NUAA’s involvement in internal and external research.

You’ll be the single point of contact for research requests, support projects where NUAA staff are named investigators, and organise meaningful consumer participation — including advisory panels — to ensure research is grounded in lived and living experience.

If you’re organised, community-minded and passionate about consumer-led research, this role is a great way to make an immediate impact.

🔗Read more and apply via the link:

Help shape peer-led research at NUAA. Coordinate projects, liaise with partners, and support meaningful consumer involvement. 0.8 FTE, six-month contract.

09/11/2025

📢 A statement from NUAA Chief Executive Dr Mary Harrod & the NUAA team in regards to the NSW government's response to the 2024 Drug Summit.

"We had hoped to end 2025 on a positive note, but we are left feeling somewhat disheartened and conflicted. While there are elements of validation in the government’s response, it also highlights how much work remains to be done."

🔗 Visit https://www.usersnews.com.au/home/nuaa-statement-drug-summit-response to read the full statement.

07/11/2025

Reminder❗ All NUAA Members are warmly invited to attend the hybrid 2025 NUAA AGM.
📅 Tuesday 18 November
⌚Starts 6pm. Registration from 5.45pm
📍In person at NSW Teachers Federation in Surry Hills NSW
💻 And online via Zoom

Online RSVPs to Lissa lissas@nuaa.org.au. In person RSVP to Craig members@nuaa.org.au.

07/11/2025

📝 The NSW government's response to the 2024 Drug Summit was released last week, with both wins and disappointments.

❓️There's support for over 50 of the 56 recommendations, but they've said no to expanding supervised injecting centres, NSP in prisons, and ending strip searches and drug dogs at festivals – despite all the evidence showing these practices cause harm.

📖 Users News breaks down what was supported, what wasn't, and what we need to push for next as they develop the state-wide AOD Strategy over the coming months.

🔗 Visit https://www.usersnews.com.au/home/nuaa-breakdown-drug-summit-response to read the full article.