Nobody Dies Here: Inside Melbourne's Medically Supervised Injecting Room

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

Clie…

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…

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 defen…

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; overd…

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 me…

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 c…

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.

Credit…

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 …

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 cons…

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 immed…

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 tow…

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 r…

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 …