Episodes
The dance of closing time must play out before doors are locked for the night. In this final episode, hear about the trouble with closing. Also, find out what’s changed* for the service.
Featuring
Clients - Philip, Duane, Aaron
Host - Michelle Ransom-Hughes
Nurses - Kerry, Jen, Paul, Simon
Harm Reduction Practitioners - Tess, Dylan
Head of Security - Amri
Medical Director- Nico Clarke
Credits
Producer/ Writer/ Editor/ Sound Design/ Mix - Michelle Ransom-Hughes
Atmospheric Sound - Michelle...
Published 08/23/23
A proud Yorta Yorta Tunnarong woman, Ange is Aunty to many in the MSIR community. After an especially tough time and several rehab attempts, she’s ready to make big changes.
*Aboriginal listeners are advised this episode contains the name of a person who is deceased*
Episode contains: overdose death, coarse language
Credits
Host - Kerin
Featuring - Angela
Producer/ Editor/ Interviewer - Michelle Ransom-Hughes
Co-Host recording - Shelley Cogger
Mix Assistance - Dylan Ransom-Hughes
Theme -...
Published 08/23/23
John’s history with heroin and other drugs includes making the front page of the Herald Sun after overdosing in a laneway. Having been around Melbourne since the deadly late 90s, he's a staunch defender of the MSIR, and opioid replacement, Buvedal.
Episode contains: strong language, overdose death and adult themes
Help & Support - Alcohol and Drug Foundation
Harm Reduction Australia
Lifeline (remember you can call 13 11 14, 24 hours in Australia)
Credits
Host - Pudgey
Featuring -...
Published 08/23/23
Kerin reveals some of her dramatic life story, and how it intersects with her decades-long use of heroin. Now 72, Kerin’s toughness mostly conceals the depth of her losses.
CW: Family Violence; overdose death; mild coarse language
Credits
Featuring - Kerin
Host - Pudgey
Producer/ Interviewer/ Editor - Michelle Ransom-Hughes
Mix Assistance - Dylan Ransom-Hughes
Host recording - Shelley Cogger
Theme - Jen Anderson
Recorded on unceded Wurundjeri land, produced on unceded Turrbal/ Jagera...
Published 06/20/23
In Zone 4 people wanting to alter their heroin use can start pharmacotherapy within 24 hours. Clients take the lead in managing their health, supported by trauma-informed care. The MSIR’s in-house medical services catch people at risk of falling between the cracks of the wider health system.
Featuring
Head of Security - Amri
Medical Director - Dr Nico Clark
Nurse and *EPOCH team member - Jen
Harm Reduction Practitioner and EPOCH team member - Dylan
MSIR Client - ‘Oscar Wilde’
Host - Michelle...
Published 06/18/23
Rachael reflects on the relationships and the ritual that draw her back to the injecting room; how some people flirt with death, and why she’s trying opioid replacement, Suboxone.
CW: drug use, mild coarse language
Credits
Host: Pudgey
Featuring: Rachael
Interviewer: Michelle Ransom-Hughes
Producer/ Editor/ Sound Design: Michelle Ransom-Hughes
Host recording: Shelley Cogger
Recorded on unceded Wurundjeri land, produced on unceded Turrbal/ Jagera land
An independent production of Alongside...
Published 04/28/23
Sammy’s a strong voice within the MSIR’s client advisory group. Her understanding of how criminalisation and stigma impact people who use drugs comes from a lifetime of thriving on the margins.
Credits
Host: Pudgey
Featuring: Sammy
Interviewer: Michelle Ransom-Hughes
Producer/ Editor/ Sound Design: Michelle Ransom-Hughes
Host recording: Shelley Cogger
Recorded on unceded Wurundjeri land, produced on unceded Turrbal/ Jagera land.
An independent production of Alongside Radio (Australia), made...
Published 04/27/23
From karaoke to crisis care: we hear how the bonds of trust formed between people who come to inject drugs and MSIR workers can play out in Zone 3, Aftercare. Walking alongside clients can sometimes mean watching people turn their life around; and sometimes end in loss.
Content advice: drug use, mild coarse language
Featuring
Nurses - Kerry, Simon, Paul, Jen
Harm Reduction Practitioners - Tess, Dylan, Lisa
Head of Security - Amri
Host: Michelle Ransom-Hughes
Credits
Producer/ Editor/ Writer/...
Published 04/14/23
Two separate interviews conducted at the MSIR in June 2022
Christina has dreams of studying one day. She sees the community at the MSIR, fellow clients and the workers, as family.
Adrian works in construction. He’s cut back on his heroin use, but it's a secret from his family he remains deeply conflicted about.
Content Advice: explicit language, descriptions of drug use
Credits
Featuring: Christina and Adrian (*not his real name)
Host: Christina
Producer/ Interviewer/ Editor: Michelle...
Published 04/03/23
In the injecting zone, calm attention is crucial. Workers keep a keen eye on people injecting, while also respecting their privacy. And when someone’s oxygen drops, they’re ready to respond immediately and prevent fatal overdose.
Content advice: drug use, overdose, mild coarse language
Featuring
Nurses - Kerry, Paul, Jen and Simon
Harm Reduction Practitioners - Tess, Jesse, Lisa
Client - Christina
MSIR Medical Director - Nico Clark
Host - Michelle Ransom-Hughes
Credits
Producer/ Writer/...
Published 04/02/23
When the MSIR opened Beattie was the fourth person to register and would use the room most days. Now, with the help of his ‘medicine’, a housing program and trusted medical advisors, he’s working towards the life he wants. Vigilance about his health and fear of overdose keep him coming back to the MSIR.
Content Advice: descriptions of drug use and overdose
Credits
Featuring - Beattie
Host - Christina
Producer/ Interviewer/ Editor - Michelle Ransom-Hughes
Host recording - Shelley...
Published 04/02/23
In the entry zone, staff walk the fine line between extending a warm, non-judgemental welcome to all and adhering to licensing regulations. People from every walk of life present here to access the room.
Featuring
Head of Security - Amri
Nurses - Kerry, Paul and Simon
NSP Worker - Carmel
Harm Reduction Practitioners - Tess, Jesse and Lisa
Client - Beattie
Host - Michelle Ransom-Hughes
Credits
Producer/ Writer/ Editor/ Sound Design/ Mix - Michelle Ransom-Hughes
Atmospheric Sound Recording...
Published 04/02/23
Featuring: Adrian, Angela, Beattie, Christina, Jesse, John, Kerrin, Kerry, Paul
Producer/ Editor/ Sound Design: Michelle Ransom-Hughes
Music:
Nobody Dies Here Theme by Jen Anderson
A Human Being by Andy G. Cohen released under a Creative Commons Attribution International License
Extra thanks to Dylan Ransom-Hughes, Jon Tjhia, Daniel Semo, Shelley Cogger, Sophie Ransom, Jaye Kranz, Lucy Osborne
Recorded on Wurundjeri land, produced on Turrbal/ Yuggera land
An Independent production of...
Published 03/20/23