Background Briefing

Andrea and Allison formed an unlikely friendship after their daughters died in remarkably similar circumstances.

Annie Gaffney investigates how they turned their grief into action to prevent that kind of tragedy from happening again.

There's a landmark project underway in Melbourne to find out whether psilocybin - the hallucinogenic compound in magic mushrooms - can be used to improve end-of-life experiences.

But many Australians have already turned to the underground because they're convinced psychedelics improve their mental health.

Geoff Thompson investigates whether it's worth all the risks.

Kimberly's sunny, athletic and inquisitive about everything.

But for years she harboured terrible secrets about what happened to her.

This week, Janine Fitzpatrick investigates why her school failed to heed credible warnings that she was in danger.This is a repeat of a program that aired in October 2020.

These Australians were denied a fair hearing by one controversial judge.

Now, for the first time, they're speaking out about their experiences.

Hagar Cohen investigates what happens when the behaviour of a judge inside a courtroom is called into question.

This is a repeat of a program that aired in February 2020.

Tristan was a kind and gentle 23-year-old surfer from Byron Bay.

One night he suffered a drug-induced psychotic episode.

And ended up driven to hospital in a small steel cage.

Police say it is probably the worst place he could be.

Tristan later died in hospital.

Mario Christodoulou investigates the series of tragic events that led to Tristan's death that raise questions about how emergency services treat young drug-affected people in New South Wales.

This is a repeat of a program that aired in March 2020.