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Research has documented the harms associated with performance and image enhancing drug (PIED) use and lack of disclosure of use to healthcare providers (HCPs). Given that the relationship between HCPs and PIED consumers plays an important role in harm reduction, research is required to understand the barriers and facilitators for consumers to engage in help-seeking. This qualitative study explored the attitudes around current harm reduction frameworks for PIED consumers in Australia. Interviews were conducted with identified key stakeholders, who included a variety of PIED consumers as well as HCPs who come into frequent contact with PIED consumers. All participants were asked questions regarding the key barriers and facilitators for PIED consumers to help-seek, and how to best increase engagement among PIED consumers with HCPs. HCPs in Australia are calling for education around PIEDs, which is reflected as a 'therapeutic barrier' by consumers. This barrier represents an ongoing need to upskill HCPs in working with PIED consumers. Our data also showed a 'safe space' dynamic among peer-consumers in this space. Optimising harm reduction frameworks requires more synergy between peers and needle and syringe programs (NSPs), which remain safe and trusted environments for PIED consumers. We recommend harm reduction frameworks be strengthened through an increase in, and leveraging of, peer-led education programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence suggests young men who use performance and image enhancing drugs (PIEDs) in Australia also engage in alcohol and party drug use. Such polysubstance use is concerning as it could exacerbate the harms that come from using either PIEDs or other drugs alone. The present study employed semi-structured interviews with 12 young men which aimed to explore patterns of PIED and other drug use among a sample of young men who use PIEDs in Australia. Analysis of interview data identified typical patterns of PIED use and other drug use among this group. The analysis yielded two themes: 1) extent of compound use for body enhancement and 2) alcohol and other drug use resulting in harms for PIED users. The present findings underscore that young men who use PIEDs represent an at risk population for alcohol and party drug use and the increased array of harms that the combination of multiple substances produces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which investigated the psychological functions that volunteering serves amongst young tertiary students who volunteer and the perception of the functions served by volunteering by those who do not volunteer. A survey of a cohort of Australian university students, comprising both volunteers and non-volunteers, showed that 43 percent of the sampled students were recent volunteers and that 74.4 percent had volunteered at some point in the past. The results indicated that both volunteer and non-volunteer students rated the values and understanding functions as significantly more important than any other function.