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 Ransom-Hughes and Jon Tjhia

Mix assist - Dylan Ransom-Hughes

Theme - Jen Anderson 

Help & Support - Alcohol and Drug Foundation

Harm Reduction Australia

Lifeline (remember you can call 13 11 14, 24 hours in Australia)

*an earlier version of this episode incorrectly stated MSIR's permanency was granted after the release of the Ken Lay Report, when it was after the Ryan Review.

Thanks         

(MSIR) Shelley Cogger, Dr Nico Clark, Zoe, Jen Anderson, James, Simon, Lisa, and all the visiting clients and staff on duty, Sunday 26 June 2022; and at closing time, 29 July 2023.

Artwork by Eloise McCullough.

Recorded on unceded Wurundjeri land, produced on unceded Turrbal/ Jagera land.

An independent production of Alongside Radio (Australia), made possible by the cooperation of the North Richmond MSIR.

You can support the production here

Read the Ryan Review to get more stats and facts about the trial of the North Richmond MSIR

"Since its establishment in 2018, the Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR) trial in North Richmond has succeeded in achieving the trial’s central objective: saving lives. There have been almost 6,000 overdose events in the MSIR during the trial, and none has been fatal. Modelling suggests that during its time in operation the MSIR has prevented up to 63 deaths." (p.5 Ryan Review, February 2023)

Music  

Rom ram rem a computer’s first dream - Zuben

Drift - Daniel Birch 

Computer Dream - 

The beginning actually - File Under Toner

Woodpaths (1974) - Daniel Barbiero (with kind permission)

The Shapes That Shadows Make - Daniel BIrch (with kind permission)

Nobody Dies Here Theme (Jen Anderson) (original composition)

Thanks to the generosity of all sound artists and musicians who share their work via Creative Commons licenses and help make independent productions viable.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 - Jen Anderson

Thanks to: Shelley, Nico, Simon, Jen, Dylan, Sophie, Jaye, Jon and all the staff and clients at the MSIR who have supported this independent project.

Recorded in 2022 on unceded Wurundjeri land, produced on unceded Turrbal/ Jagera land.

Help & Support - Alcohol and Drug Foundation

Harm Reduction Australia

Lifeline (remember you can call 13 11 14, 24 hours in Australia)

An independent production of Alongside Radio (Australia), made possible by the cooperation of the North Richmond MSIR.

You can support the production here

Read the Ryan Review to get more stats and facts about the trial of the North Richmond MSIR

Music

Nobody Dies Here Theme - Jen Anderson

GuitarDandC by Kevin Boucher

Blue Dot Sessions

Cello by Kelly Latimore (CCbyA) Free Music Archive

Orange River by <

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 - John 

Producer/ Interviewer/ Editor - Michelle Ransom-Hughes

Mix assistance - Dylan Ransom-Hughes

Host recording - Shelley Cogger

Theme - Jen Anderson

Field recordings - Michelle Ransom-Hughes

Recorded on unceded Wurundjeri land, produced on unceded Turrbal/ Jagera land.

An independent production of Alongside Radio (Australia), made possible by the cooperation of the North Richmond MSIR.

You can support the production here

Read the Ryan Review to get more stats and facts about the trial of the North Richmond MSIR

Thanks         

(MSIR) Nico Clark, Zoe, Jen Anderson, James Fitzpatrick, Shelley Cogger, Donna, Lisa, and the staff who helped make these interviews possible. 

Dylan Ransom-Hughes, Daniel Semo, Sophie Ransom, Jaye Kranz, Lucy Osborne, Kim Lester, Dave Suttee, Pippa Williams, Adele Pickvance.

Series art by Eloise McCullough.

Music

• Nobody Dies Here Theme - Jen Anderson
• Unalin - Tim Khan (CC0) freesound
• Attempt 7 - Jared C. Balogh (CCbyNC) 
• Slin - Tim Khan (CC0) freesound

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 land.

An independent production of Alongside Radio (Australia), made possible by the cooperation of the North Richmond MSIR.

You can support the production here

Read the Ryan Review to get more stats and facts about the trial of the North Richmond MSIR

Thanks         

(MSIR) Nico Clark, Zoe, Jen Anderson, James Fitzpatrick, Shelley Cogger, Donna, Lisa, and the staff who helped make these interviews possible. 

Dylan Ransom-Hughes, Daniel Semo, Sophie Ransom, Jaye Kranz, Lucy Osborne, Kim Lester, Dave Suttee, Pippa Williams, Adele Pickvance.

Series art by Eloise McCullough.

Music

Nobody Dies Here Theme - Jen Anderson (series original)

Precious Breath - Jen Anderson (series original)

Waiting Stillness - Brylie Christopher Oxley 

6666666666666666 - Alpha Hydrae (via FMA)

Thanks to the generosity of all sound artists and musicians who share their work via Creative Commons licenses and help make independent productions viable

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Ransom-Hughes

Credits

Producer/ Writer/ Editor/ Sound Design/ Mix: Michelle Ransom-Hughes

Atmospheric Sound Recordings: Michelle Ransom-Hughes and Jon Tjhia

Fact Checker: Shelley Cogger

Final Mix: Dylan Ransom-Hughes

Theme: Jen Anderson 

Recorded on unceded Wurundjeri land, produced on unceded Turrbal/ Jagera land

An independent production of Alongside Radio (Australia), made with the cooperation of the North Richmond Community Health MSIR.

You can support the production here

Read the Ryan Review to get more stats and facts about the trial of the North Richmond MSIR

Resources and support for people who inject drugs

*The EPOCH program (in conjunction with St Vincent's Hospital) helped the MSIR meet its licensing objectives by reducing the rate of Blood Borne Viruses.

More than 360 people have started Hep-C treatments (as of June 2023), via the MSIR.

Thanks         

(MSIR) Shelley Cogger, Dr Nico Clark, Zoe, Jen Anderson, James, Simon, and all the visiting clients and staff on duty, Sunday 26 June 2022. 

Dylan Ransom-Hughes, Daniel Semo, Sophie Ransom, Jon Tjhia, Jaye Kranz, Lucy Osborne, Dave Suttee and Pippa Williams.

Episode art by Eloise McCullough

Music  

Dusty and Freezing - Crowander (licensed)

Nobody Dies Here Theme - Jen Anderson (series original composition)

Hesi’im and Orange River by REW<< (CCbyANC4.0 via Free Music Archive)

Electronic Minute 328 by gis_sweden

Nnionn by TIm Khan (CCbyA via freesound)

Thanks to the generosity of all sound artists and musicians who share their work via Creative Commons licenses and help make independent productions viable.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Radio (Australia), made possible by the cooperation of the North Richmond MSIR.

You can support the production here

Read the Ryan Review to get more stats and facts about the trial of the North Richmond MSIR

"Since its establishment in 2018, the Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR) trial in North Richmond has succeeded in achieving the trial’s central objective: saving lives. There have been almost 6,000 overdose events in the MSIR during the trial, and none has been fatal. Modelling suggests that during its time in operation the MSIR has prevented up to 63 deaths." (p.5 Ryan Review, February 2023)

Thanks

Dylan Ransom-Hughes, Jen Anderson, Nico Clark, Donna, Lisa, Simon, Alice and Sean, Sophie, and all the staff at the MSIR who helped make these interviews with clients possible

Music

Keratin Rust and a Clear Soul by Alpha Hydrae CC0

Nobody Dies Here Theme by Jen Anderson

Music under license by Chad Crouch

PJS3EuZFPNWxOyKBXz9g

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 possible by the cooperation of the North Richmond MSIR.

You can support the production here

Read the Ryan Review to get more stats and facts about the trial of the North Richmond MSIR

"Since its establishment in 2018, the Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR) trial in North Richmond has succeeded in achieving the trial’s central objective: saving lives. There have been almost 6,000 overdose events in the MSIR during the trial, and none has been fatal. Modelling suggests that during its time in operation the MSIR has prevented up to 63 deaths." (p.5 Ryan Review, February 2023)

Thanks

Dylan Ransom-Hughes, Jen Anderson, Nico Clark, Donna, Lisa, Shelley, Simon, Alice and Sean, Sophie and all the staff at the MSIR who helped make these interviews with clients possible

Music

Dry Air - Chad Crouch 

Nobody Dies Here Theme - Jen Anderson (series original)

Surfaces by Daniel Birch (under license)

Series art: Eloise McCullough

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/ Sound Design: Michelle Ransom-Hughes

Atmospheric Sound recordings: Jon Tjhia and Michelle Ransom-Hughes

Final mix: Dylan Ransom-Hughes

Recorded on Wurundjeri land, produced on Turrbal/ Jagera land

An independent production of Alongside Radio (Australia), made possible by the cooperation of the North Richmond MSIR

You can support the production here

Read the Ryan Review to get more stats and facts about the trial of the North Richmond MSIR

"Since its establishment in 2018, the Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR) trial in North Richmond has succeeded in achieving the trial’s central objective: saving lives. There have been almost 6,000 overdose events in the MSIR during the trial, and none has been fatal. Modelling suggests that during its time in operation the MSIR has prevented up to 63 deaths." (p.5 Ryan Review, February 2023)

Thanks         

(MSIR) Shelley Cogger, Nico Clark, Zoe Gleeson, Jen Anderson, James Fitzpatrick, and all the visiting clients and staff on duty, Sunday 26 June 2022. 

Dylan Ransom-Hughes, Daniel Semo, Sophie Ransom, Jaye Kranz, Lucy Osborne, Kim Lester, Dave Suttee, Virginia H, and Nia P.

Series art by Eloise McCullough.

Music

Nobody Dies Here Theme by Jen Anderson (original)

Off Kilter - Derek Stephens (CCO FMA)

Somewhere There Now - Daniel Barbiero (with kind permission)

Armitage - Kelly Latimore (CCbyA)

Thanks to the generosity of all sound artists and musicians who share their work via Creative Commons licenses and help make independent productions viable

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Ransom-Hughes

Host recording: Shelley Cogger

Recorded on Wurundjeri land, produced on Turrbal/ Jagera land

An independent production of Alongside Radio (Australia), made possible by the cooperation of the North Richmond MSIR

You can support the production here

Read the Ryan Review to get more stats and facts about the trial of the North Richmond MSIR

Thanks

Shelley Cogger, Donna Williamson, Lisa, Jen Anderson, Nico Clark, and those workers at the MSIR who helped make these interviews with clients possible.

Also, to Dylan Ransom-Hughes, Daniel Semo, Sophie Ransom, Lucy Osborne, Jon Tjhia, Sean and Alice, Dave Suttee, Kim Lester, Miss Nicole and Sheree.

Music

Nobody Dies Here Theme by Jen Anderson

A Human Being by Andy G. Cohen released under a Creative Commons Attribution International License

Inette and Grest by Tim Khan (CCbyA freesound)

Thanks to the generosity of all sound artists and musicians who share their work via Creative Commons licenses and help make independent productions viable

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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/ Editor/ Sound Design/ Mix - Michelle Ransom-Hughes

Atmospheric Sound recording - Jon Tjhia and Michelle Ransom-Hughes

Recorded on Wurundjeri land, produced on Turrbal/ Jagera land

An independent production of Alongside Radio (Australia), made possible by the cooperation of the North Richmond MSIR

You can support the production here

Read the Ryan Review to get more stats and facts about the trial of the North Richmond MSIR

"Since its establishment in 2018, the Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR) trial in North Richmond has succeeded in achieving the trial’s central objective: saving lives. There have been almost 6,000 overdose events in the MSIR during the trial, and none has been fatal. Modelling suggests that during its time in operation the MSIR has prevented up to 63 deaths." (p.5 Ryan Review, February 2023)

Thanks         

(MSIR) Shelley Cogger, Dr Nico Clark, Zoe Gleeson, Jen Anderson, James Fitzpatrick, and all the visiting clients and staff on duty, Sunday 26 June 2022. 

Jon Tjhia, Dylan Ransom-Hughes, Daniel Semo, Sophie Ransom, Jaye Kranz, Lucy Osborne, Kim Lester, Miss Nicole, Dave Suttee, Virginia H, and Nia P.

Music

Arriving Fog and Anticipation by Brylie Christopher Oxley (with kind permission)

Orma by Tim Khan (CCbyA freesound)

Grevillea Music by Danny Bale (CCbyANC)

Nobody Dies Here Theme by Jen Anderson (original)

Various by David Szesztay (under license)

Thanks to the generosity of all sound artists and musicians who share their work via Creative Commons licenses and help make independent productions viable

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.