Nobody Dies Here: Inside Melbourne's Medically Supervised Injecting Room
Alongside Radio
Tour an exceptional health service with the people who know it best, health workers and people who inject drugs, in this twelve episode series.Winner Best Documentary Australian Podcast Awards 2023A fully independent and self-funded Alongside Radio (Australia) production.Recorded on unceded Wurundjeri land, produced on unceded Turrbal/ Yagera land.Created with the cooperation of North Richmond Community Health’s Medically Supervised Injecting Room.You can support the show here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Goodnight and good luck
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.FeaturingClients - Philip, Duane, AaronHost - Michelle Ransom-HughesNurses - Kerry, Jen, Paul, Simon Harm Reduction Practitioners - Tess, DylanHead of Security - AmriMedical Director- Nico ClarkeCreditsProducer/ Writer/ Editor/ Sound Design/ Mix - Michelle Ransom-HughesAtmospheric Sound - Michelle Ransom-Hughes an
Aug 23, 2023 • 28:32
Angela
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 languageCreditsHost - KerinFeaturing - Angela Producer/ Editor/ Interviewer - Michelle Ransom-HughesCo-Host recording - Shelley CoggerMix Assistance - Dylan Ransom-HughesTheme -
Aug 23, 2023 • 20:30
John
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 themesHelp & Support - Alcohol and Drug FoundationHarm Reduction AustraliaLifeline (remember you can call 13 11 14, 24 hours in Australia)CreditsHost - PudgeyFeaturing - John&nbs
Aug 23, 2023 • 21:48
Kerin
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 languageCreditsFeaturing - Kerin Host - PudgeyProducer/ Interviewer/ Editor - Michelle Ransom-HughesMix Assistance - Dylan Ransom-HughesHost recording - Shelley CoggerTheme - Jen AndersonRecorded on unceded Wurundjeri land, produced on unceded Turrbal/
Jun 20, 2023 • 24:04
Heroin, health and the spaces in between
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.FeaturingHead of Security - AmriMedical Director - Dr Nico ClarkNurse and *EPOCH team member - JenHarm Reduction Practitioner and EPOCH team member - Dylan MSIR Client - ‘Oscar Wilde’Host - Michelle Rans
Jun 18, 2023 • 37:25
Rachael
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 languageCreditsHost: PudgeyFeaturing: RachaelInterviewer: Michelle Ransom-HughesProducer/ Editor/ Sound Design: Michelle Ransom-HughesHost recording: Shelley CoggerRecorded on unceded Wurundjeri land, produced on unceded Turrbal/ Jagera landAn independent production of Alongside Radio (Aus
Apr 28, 2023 • 26:27
Sammy
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.CreditsHost: PudgeyFeaturing: SammyInterviewer: Michelle Ransom-HughesProducer/ Editor/ Sound Design: Michelle Ransom-HughesHost recording: Shelley CoggerRecorded on unceded Wurundjeri land, produced on unceded Turrbal/ Jagera land.An independent production of Alongside Radio (Australia), made possibl
Apr 27, 2023 • 30:26
Not just injecting
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 languageFeaturingNurses - Kerry, Simon, Paul, JenHarm Reduction Practitioners - Tess, Dylan, LisaHead of Security - AmriHost: Michelle Ransom-HughesCreditsProducer/ Editor/ Writer/ Sound Desig
Apr 14, 2023 • 33:00
Christina/ Adrian
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 useCreditsFeaturing: Christina and Adrian (*not his real name)Host: ChristinaProducer/ Interviewer/ Editor: Michelle Ransom-Hugh
Apr 3, 2023 • 30:46
Watching over you
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, workers are ready to respond immediately and prevent fatal overdose.Content advice: drug use, overdose, mild coarse languageFeaturingNurses - Kerry, Paul, Jen and Simon Harm Reduction Practitioners - Tess, Jesse, Lisa Client - ChristinaMSIR Medical Director - Nico ClarkHost - Michelle Ransom-HughesCreditsProduce
Apr 2, 2023 • 32:08
Beattie
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 overdoseCreditsFeaturing - BeattieHost - ChristinaProducer/ Interviewer/ Editor - Michelle Ransom-HughesHost recording - Shelley CoggerRecorded on Wuru
Apr 2, 2023 • 26:11
Everyone is welcome. Not everyone is welcome.
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.FeaturingHead of Security - AmriNurses - Kerry, Paul and Simon NSP Worker - CarmelHarm Reduction Practitioners - Tess, Jesse and Lisa Client - BeattieHost - Michelle Ransom-HughesCreditsProducer/ Writer/ Editor/ Sound Design/ Mix - Michelle Ransom-HughesAtmospheric Sound Rec
Apr 2, 2023 • 29:22