Please join us for a lunchtime seminar by Fulbright Alumnus Maggy Tomkins, Clinical Nurse Consultant (The Albion Centre, Sydney) and Adjunct Faculty (University of Hartford): When the law is a health hazard.

The Australian Fulbright Alumni Association thought it was time for a local gathering of Hobart Fulbright Alumni. But we welcome all to join us as friends of Fulbright. The more the merrier. After the seminar, for those interested we will move to the University Club dining room for lunch (individual cheques). No RSVP required to join us for the seminar, but please RSVP on the event page here (https://fulbrightalumni.org.au/event-3473328) or by email (vm.adams@utas.edu.au) if you wish to join for lunch. We need rough head count to ensure we have the correct sized table booked.

When the law is a health hazard:

Most countries, attempt to control behaviours which are deemed to be immoral and unhealthy – such as sex work and use of some drugs – by legislation. It is debatable whether law enforcement reduces rates of “undesirable” behaviours. What has been shown in many settings is that decriminalisation and/or using a harm reduction approach to illegal behaviours leads to better health outcomes than legislative control.

The presentation will discuss public health approaches to sex work and injection drug use, including needle exchange programs, decriminalisation of sex work and legalisation of drug use, and the impact on the health of key populations.