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Curtin University
National Drug Research Institute

Preventing Harmful Drug Use In Australia

Hepatitis C, Prisons and Treatment Opportunities (HePATO)

Project Team

Chief Investigator:

Professor Tony Butler, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University

Contact Person:

Professor Tony Butler, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University

Project

Despite the availability of an effective treatment for hepatitis C and the high prevalence of infection among Australian prisoners treatment uptake is extremely low. Using survey data and qualitative interviews with prisoners and prison health staff this project will investigate the structural and cultural barriers which limit access to treatment and care. The project will also estimate the public health benefits which would result if the uptake of treatment was to reach its full potential.

Publications

Fetherston, J., Carruthers, S.J., Butler, T. and Wilson, D. (2013). Rates of injection amongst incarcerated injecting drug users in Australia. Journal of Substance Abuse. [RJ865]