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New study suggests weight loss drugs like Ozempic could help with knee pain. Here’s why there may be a link

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/giovanni-e-ferreira-1030477">Giovanni E. Ferreira</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christina-abdel-shaheed-425241">Christina Abdel Shaheed</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> The drug semaglutide, commonly known by the brand names Ozempic or Wegovy, was <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-rise-of-ozempic-how-surprise-discoveries-and-lizard-venom-led-to-a-new-class-of-weight-loss-drugs-219721">originally developed</a> to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. However, researchers have discovered it may help with other health issues, too. Clinical trials show semaglutide can be effective for <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183">weight loss</a>, and hundreds of thousands of people around the world are using it <a href="https://theconversation.com/considering-taking-a-weight-loss-drug-like-ozempic-here-are-some-potential-risks-and-benefits-219312">for this purpose</a>. Evidence has also shown the drug can help manage <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2306963">heart failure</a> and <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2403347">chronic kidney disease</a> in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Now, a study published in the <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2403664">New England Journal of Medicine</a> has suggested semaglutide can improve knee pain in people with obesity and osteoarthritis. So what did this study find, and how could semaglutide and osteoarthritis pain be linked? <h2>Osteoarthritis and obesity</h2> Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease, affecting <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/osteoarthritis">2.1 million Australians</a>. Most people with osteoarthritis <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-you-have-knee-pain-from-osteoarthritis-you-might-not-need-surgery-heres-what-to-try-instead-236779">have pain</a> and find it difficult to perform common daily activities such as walking. The knee is <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37675071/">the joint most commonly affected</a> by osteoarthritis. Being overweight or obese is a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25447976/">major risk factor</a> for osteoarthritis in the knee. The link between the two conditions <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26821091/">is complex</a>. It involves a combination of increased load on the knee, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41413-023-00301-9">metabolic factors</a> such as high cholesterol and high blood sugar, and inflammation. For example, elevated blood sugar levels increase the production of inflammatory molecules in the body, which can damage the cartilage in the knee, and lead to the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30712918/">development of osteoarthritis</a>. Weight loss is strongly recommended to reduce the pain of knee osteoarthritis in people who are overweight or obese. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31908149/">International</a> and <a href="https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-08/osteoarthritis-knee-clinical-care-standard-2024.pdf">Australian guidelines</a> suggest losing as little as 5% of body weight can help. But losing weight with just diet and exercise can be difficult for many people. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26180980/">One study</a> from the United Kingdom found the annual probability of people with obesity losing 5% or more of their body weight was less than one in ten. Semaglutide has recently entered the market as a potential alternative route to weight loss. It comes from a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists and works by increasing a person’s sense of fullness. <h2>Semaglutide for osteoarthritis?</h2> The rationale for the <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2403664">recent study</a> was that while we know weight loss alleviates symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, the effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists was yet to be explored. So the researchers set out to understand what effect semaglutide might have on knee osteoarthritis pain, alongside body weight. They randomly allocated 407 people with obesity and moderate osteoarthritis into one of two groups. One group received semaglutide once a week, while the other group received a placebo. Both groups were treated for 68 weeks and received counselling on diet and physical activity. At the end of the treatment phase, researchers measured changes in knee pain, function, and body weight. As expected, those taking semaglutide lost more weight than those in the placebo group. People on semaglutide lost around 13% of their body weight on average, while those taking the placebo lost around 3% on average. More than 70% of people in the semaglutide group lost at least 10% of their body weight compared to just over 9% of people in the placebo group. The study found semaglutide reduced knee pain significantly more than the placebo. Participants who took semaglutide reported an additional 14-point reduction in pain on a 0–100 scale compared to the placebo group. This is much greater than the pain reduction in another <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36511925/">recent study</a> among people with obesity and knee osteoarthritis. This study investigated the effects of a diet and exercise program compared to an attention control (where participants are provided with information about nutrition and physical activity). The results here saw only a 3-point difference between the intervention group and the control group on the same scale. The amount of pain relief reported in the semaglutide trial is also larger than that reported with commonly used pain medicines such as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35442752/">anti-inflammatories</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35137418/">opioids</a> and <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.m4825">antidepressants</a>. Semaglutide also improved knee function compared to the placebo. For example, people who took semaglutide could walk about 42 meters further than those on the placebo in a six-minute walking test. <h2>How could semaglutide reduce knee pain?</h2> It’s not fully clear how semaglutide helps with knee pain from osteoarthritis. One explanation may be that when a person loses weight, there’s less stress on the joints, which reduces pain. But recent studies have also suggested semaglutide and other GLP-1 receptor agonists might have <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661822002651">anti-inflammatory</a> properties, and could even protect against <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6731440/">cartilage wear and tear</a>. While the results of this new study are promising, it’s too soon to regard semaglutide as a “miracle drug” for knee osteoarthritis. And as this study was funded by the drug company that makes semaglutide, it will be important to have independent studies in the future, to confirm the findings, or not. The study also had strict criteria, excluding some groups, such as those taking opioids for knee pain. One in seven Australians seeing a GP for their knee osteoarthritis <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34527976/">are prescribed opioids</a>. Most participants in the trial were white (61%) and women (82%). This means the study may not fully represent the average person with knee osteoarthritis and obesity. It’s also important to consider semaglutide can have a range of <a href="https://theconversation.com/considering-taking-a-weight-loss-drug-like-ozempic-here-are-some-potential-risks-and-benefits-219312">side effects</a>, including gastrointestinal symptoms and fatigue. There are some concerns that semaglutide could reduce <a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/experts-are-concerned-drugs-like-ozempic-may-cause-muscle-loss">muscle mass</a> and <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ozempic-muscle-mass-loss">bone density</a>, though we’re still learning more about this. Further, it can be difficult to access. <h2>I have knee osteoarthritis, what should I do?</h2> Osteoarthritis is a disease caused by multiple factors, and it’s important to take <a href="https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/clinical-care-standards/osteoarthritis-knee-clinical-care-standard/information-consumers-osteoarthritis-knee-clinical-care-standard">a multifaceted approach</a> to managing it. Weight loss is an important component for those who are overweight or obese, but so are other aspects of <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-you-have-knee-pain-from-osteoarthritis-you-might-not-need-surgery-heres-what-to-try-instead-236779">self-management</a>. This might include physical activity, pacing strategies, and other positive lifestyle changes such as improving sleep, healthy eating, and so on.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/243159/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/giovanni-e-ferreira-1030477">Giovanni E. Ferreira</a>, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christina-abdel-shaheed-425241">Christina Abdel Shaheed</a>, Associate Professor, School of Public Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> Image credits: Shutterstocl This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/new-study-suggests-weight-loss-drugs-like-ozempic-could-help-with-knee-pain-heres-why-there-may-be-a-link-243159">original article</a>. </div>

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Aussie woman fined $20,000 for illegal wildlife trade

A woman in Queensland has been slapped with a $20,000 fine for illegal wildlife trade. After a tip-off from a member of the public, officers with Queensland's Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) attended a residence in Nambour in January, where they found and seized 18 reptile eggs and 26 reptiles — many of which were found to be in poor health. DETSI officers said the discovery highlights a more pressing issue, which is the "increasing trend in people seeking to profit from high prices" that "our unique wildlife" fetch on domestic and international markets. The woman was found in possession of a northern blue-tongue lizard, a Woma python, carpet python, shingleback lizard, inland bearded dragon, children’s python, broad-shelled turtle and Centralian carpet python, among others. Senior Wildlife Officer Jonathan McDonald condemned the woman's behaviour, as she didn't provide adequate care for the snakes and reptiles to stay healthy in captivity. "Sadly, several of the reptiles were in poor condition and needed to be humanely euthanised," McDonald said. "The surviving reptiles can never be released to the wild as they may have been exposed to disease while they were in captivity." An independent veterinary exam of the reptiles seized revealed medical conditions like necrosis, dehydration, neurological defects and general poor health. The woman admitted to knowingly keeping the animals without valid licences, purchasing them from unlicensed sellers and operating a reptile business. She also could not provide mandatory records of sale for 13 of her purchased animals. Globally illegal wildlife trafficking is estimated to be worth $27 billion a year, ranking fourth in the world's illegal trades after drugs, counterfeit products, and human trafficking. Images: DETSI

Travel Trouble

Aussie rocker hits back at John Farnham's drugging claims

A legendary Australian rockstar has hit back at John Farnham's claims that he was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/so-ashamed-john-farnham-opens-up-about-years-of-abuse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">drugged</a> by a former manager. Peter Tilbrook, who was the guitarist for iconic Aussie rock band The Masters Apprentices in the 1960s, has taken to social media to share his own stories about Darryl Sambell, after Farnham wrote in his memoir that Samuel drugged him in the early days of his career. As Farnham wrote in The Voice Inside, he recalled that Sambell “drugged me for years and I had no f**king idea,” until he found a half-dissolved pill at the bottom of a cup of coffee. Asked what it was, Sambell told Farnham: “That’s just something to keep you awake.” However, Tilbrook took aim at the comments saying he also worked with Sambell and only had good experiences. "Sambell was a brilliant and skilful manager to us, and from what we saw and heard, definitely to Farnham as well," Tilbrook said online. "I find it very hard to believe that any another manager at the time could have done any more to further Johnny's incredible career." Sambell, who managed Farnham's early career from 1967 to 1976, also managed The Masters around the same time, and Tilbrook asserted his experience with the late manager was nothing like Farnham's. "He was an amazing, caring and resourceful manager," Tilbrook said. Image credits: petertilbrookentertainment.com/news.com.au

Legal

Disgraced Olympian sentenced over failed drug plot

An Olympic silver medallist and his younger brother, who tried to smuggle hundreds of kilograms of cocaine worth about $200 million into Australia, have been sentenced a second time. Nathan Baggaley, 48, a former champion kayaker and his brother Dru Baggaley, 42, faced Brisbane supreme court on Monday after pleading guilty to attempting to import a commercial quantity of drugs. Dru and another man were intercepted by the navy in July 2017, after he was found using a seven-metre inflatable boat to pick up 650 kilograms of cocaine from a ship near Australia's east coast. The inflatable boat, which was launched from Brunswick Heads on the NSW north coast, had been bought by Nathan and was registered in his name. The brothers were previously found guilty of attempting to import cocaine by a Brisbane Supreme Court jury in April 2021. Nathan was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment and his brother 28 years, but they later won appeals against their convictions and were ordered to face the retrial that was supposed to start on October 28, but instead pleaded guilty to the same charge. On Monday, Justice Declan Kelly sentenced Nathan to 13 years in jail and his brother 15 years. With time already served, they are now eligible for parole. During their sentencing hearing, Justice Kelly said there was insufficient evidence to prove Dru knew he was importing cocaine, after the court was told he thought he was collecting tobacco. “Dru was reckless that there was a substantial quantity of a border-controlled drug but there is insufficient evidence that he knew the precise quantity,” Justice Kelly said. He said that Nathan didn't initially know that it was an attempt to import a border-controlled drug until July 30 2018. "From that point in time he was aware of the attempt to import a substantial quantity of a border-controlled drug but was reckless as to the identity of that drug," Justice Kelly said. “It cannot be shown that Nathan knew the drug was cocaine or the precise amount of the drug.” Kelly accepted a defence barrister's submission the facts were profoundly different” compared to their 2021 sentencing, but said that regardless, the importation size was a "“very relevant factor” in his sentencing. Image: Erik S Lesser/EPA/ Shutterstock Editorial

Legal

Tearful Jackie O reveals past drug addiction

Jackie O Henderson has revealed her private battle with drug addiction that resulted in a stint in rehab. On her KIIS FM radio show with Kyle Sandilands, Jackie O read an excerpt from her autobiography The Whole Truth, that is set to his shelves on October 29th, detailing her struggles with addiction two years ago. Henderson said she was “badly addicted” to painkillers, sleeping pills and consuming alcohol for three years, before checking herself in for a month-long stay at the Betty Ford Centre in Palm Springs, California, in November 2022. The radio host said she was feeling “so nervous” to read out the excerpt, as it was “something I haven’t been very forthcoming about or very truthful about”, recalling how she was feeling “diminished, untethered and alone”. “By that point, I had no self-esteem, so I was insecure, vulnerable, and heartbroken,” she read. “It was a recipe for disaster, and I took the coward’s way out to escape those feelings.” <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBfJRIoSaRz/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBfJRIoSaRz/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Kyle and Jackie O (@kyleandjackieo)</a> </div> </blockquote> Jackie admitted that it was only a small circle of friends who knew about her addiction, with Sandilands saying he was oblivious to his co-host's struggles. “I just didn’t want anyone to know until I had at least gotten a year or more of sobriety under my belt,” Henderson said. “I can only speak to my experience because my addiction is so different to anyone else’s." “But people can ask me anything they want, and I’m OK with that. I brought this up, I put it out there myself, so I’m well and truly OK talking about it. I’m excited that I can be more authentic than I’ve ever been.” She went on to recall how before she flew to America for rehab, she told her audience that she was taking time off for the end of the year. “But I know I won’t make it that far, I’m hanging on by a thread,” she read from her book. “There’s only one thing to do today, get on a plane for Los Angeles. My best friend and manager Gemma O’Neill is with me … she tells me I won’t need any fancy dresses where I’m going.” Henderson recalled grabbing lunch with O’Neill the day of their flight and being “teary”, adding, "Not because I don’t want to go on this journey but because I don’t have the faintest idea what it will be like and that scares me.” At the Betty Ford Centre, she was enrolled in a 28-day, 12-step program to “treat the substance dependence and drug addiction I’ve been able to keep secret for three long and painful years”. The 49-year-old said there were “lots of different reasons” for her addiction, but did not go into any on-air. Henderson said she went back and forth about whether to share her story but decided to make it public, “to use my story to help people”. She ended the emotional segment by sharing her gratitude that the story had never previously emerged and she was soon to celebrate her two-year sobriety milestone. “My life has changed for the better and I’m really, really thankful that I did it,” she said. Image credits: Instagram

Caring

New study finds epilepsy drug could reduce sleep apnoea symptoms

New research has found that a drug used for epilepsy could be used to reduce the symptoms of sleep apnoea. Obstructive sleep apnoea, which affects about one in 20 people, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in England, includes symptoms like snoring and it causes a person's breathing to start and stop during the night, with many requiring an aid to help keep their airways open. An international study has identified that taking sulthiame, a drug sold under the brand name Ospolot in Europe, may help prevent patients' breathing from temporarily stopping. This provides an additional option for those unable to use mechanical breathing aids like the Cpap machines. “The standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea is sleeping with a machine that blows air through a face mask to keep the airways open. Unfortunately, many people find these machines hard to use over the long term, so there is a need to find alternative treatments,” Prof Jan Hedner from Sahlgrenska university hospital and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden said. Researchers conducted a randomised controlled trial of almost 300 obstructive sleep apnoea patients across Europe, who did not use Cpap machines. They were divided into four groups and given either a placebo or different strengths of sulthiame. The study measured patients’ breathing, oxygen levels, heart rhythm, eye movements, as well as brain and muscle activity while asleep. It found after 12 weeks, those taking sulthiame had up to 50% fewer occasions where their breathing stopped, and higher levels of oxygen in their blood. However, a bigger study needs to be done to confirm the beneficial effects on a larger group. The findings, were presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Vienna, Austria. Erika Radford, the head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK said the findings were a positive step forward in moving away from having to rely on mechanical breathing equipment. “This potential alternative to the current main treatment would make it easier for people to manage their condition,” she said. Image: Shutterstock

Body

Common drug shows potential in reversing ageing

A common medication has been found to have anti-ageing qualities, with scientists finding that the drug can de-age monkeys. Metformin, a cheap and common diabetes drug that has been used since the 1950s, could be an anti-ageing elixir, with scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Beijing Institute of Genomics using the pill to "markedly" slow down ageing in the animals. According to the experts, the medication reduced deterioration of the brain and boosted cognitive abilities in the primates while also slowing down bone loss and aiding in the "rejuvenation" of several tissues and organs. The most significant improvements were seen in the liver and frontal lobe, the part of the brain responsible for language, reasoning, problem solving, memory, movement and personality. Researchers said all of the findings led to the conclusion that "metformin can reduce biological age indicators" up to six years, with the medication paving the way for ageing reversal in humans. The drug was previously tested on mice, but since testing the medication on Cynomolgus monkeys - that are both physiologically and functionally similar to humans - the tests have shown more promise for potential human trials. The researchers said of the 40-month study, "Our research pioneers the systemic reduction of multi-dimensional biological age in primates through metformin, paving the way for advancing pharmaceutical strategies against human ageing." The scientists added, "[The study] represents an important advance in the quest to delay human ageing, with geriatric medicine research gradually shifting its focus from treating individual chronic diseases to systemic intervention against ageing." Image credits: Shutterstock

Body

"Lucky to be alive": Concerning Andrew O'Keefe update

Andrew O'Keefe will remain in jail after his bail was revoked, just days after being arrested on drug charges. The former TV host was arrested on Monday and charged with drug possession after police searched a nearby car and allegedly found methamphetamine. His arrest came just hours after the 52-year-old was discharged from the <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/andrew-o-keefe-rushed-to-hospital" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hospital</a>, after he was revived by paramedics in the early hours on Sunday morning after an alleged drug overdose. In Waverley Local Court on Tuesday, Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge said O’Keefe was “lucky to be alive” as she read a police statement of facts on an application to detain the former TV host rather than let him out on bail again. O'Keefe was out on bail at the time of the alleged overdose, after allegedly breaching a court order, trespassing and intimidating a man in Sydney’s eastern suburbs in July. O’Keefe’s lawyer did not argue against the application and the magistrate revoked his bail, meaning he will remain custody before his return to court in October. “If he wants to stay alive that’s the best thing to do,” Milledge said. O’Keefe’s lawyer suggested a possible application for release on the next occasion for O’Keefe to receive treatment but Milledge said “a “highly persuasive” argument would be required. O’Keefe’s frequent appearances in court are “absolutely tragic” and “very, very sad,” the magistrate said. “He’s a frequent flyer, he’s just so used to it,” she said. “The mental health applications, the rehab, all been tried, and tested, and failed. “I just don’t see the same thing over and over again is going to be working for him and, god help him, it’s a shame that he doesn’t have an epiphany.” Image credits: Seven News

Caring

Andrew O'Keefe rushed to hospital

Andrew O'Keefe has been rushed to hospital after being revived by paramedics at a party in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs over the weekend. The disgraced TV host was partying at a home in Vaucluse at 3:30am on Saturday when emergency services were called after allegedly suffering a drug overdose. Paramedics revived O'Keefe at the scene before transporting him to the nearby St Vincent's Hospital for treatment. The Daily Telegraph reported that he has since been released from hospital. In a statement, NSW Police said of the incident, "Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command were called to a home unit on Old South Head Road at Vaucluse about 3.40am, responding to concerns for the welfare of a 52-year-old man." "NSW Ambulance paramedics rendered assistance to the man before taking him to St Vincent's Hospital where he was reported to be in a stable condition. Inquiries into the incident are continuing." O'Keefe's health incident comes just days after a court upheld his convictions for domestic violence assault, as District Court Judge John Pickering rejected his lawyers' arguments that a woman had inflicted scratch marks on her own arm and later blamed O'Keefe. The troubled former TV star was convicted in January of three counts of domestic violence-related assault, twice contravening an AVO against him, and two charges for possessing a prohibited drug. He was ordered to serve 18 months on a community corrections order, which involves supervision and reporting requirements, and fined $800 for the drug offences. Image credits: JOEL CARRETT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

Ian Thorpe opens up on darkest moment of his career

Ian Thorpe has recalled the moment an irregular drug test almost upended his life and destroyed his reputation. The Aussie swimming legend opened up about a few key moments in his personal life that coincided with the height of his swimming career in a tell-all new book. The 41-year-old athlete singled out the drug test chapter as one of the darkest moments of his career in a new book Profiles In Hope, written by former NSW Liberal leader John Brogden. In 2006, Thorpe underwent a routine drug test that returned an irregular result, with French newspaper L’Equipe reporting that he had returned an unusual level of testosterone. However, results also showed a hormone called leutenising hormone, another naturally occurring substance. The news of the test gained international attraction, and resulted in Thorpe launching a lawsuit against the newspaper. “An irregular test isn’t uncommon. They happen. So firstly, no one should know that information to begin with,” Thorpe says in the book, according to the <a title="www.dailymail.co.uk" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-13845887/Ian-Thorpe-goes-public-never-heard-devastating-admission.html">Daily Mail</a>. “An irregular test means nothing. An irregular test gets thrown out." He said at the time the speculation that he was a cheat was “so upsetting” and the way the information was leaked to French journalist made him feel “deeply alarmed”. He also admitted that during the media storm around the testing, he did not want to leave his home and says now he had thoughts about taking his own life and staging it as an accident. The “Thorpedo” now has the tools in place for his mental health to look back and think he could have handled it better. “In that kind of state, you’re entirely irrational, your logic is warped,” he tells Brogden. “It’s only in the periods when you have clarity of mind, when your mental health is good, that you can actually reflect on things and say, ‘Well, I could have done this’. “I realised what I was doing wasn’t working, and that I needed help. So I got that help, and even though I was still in a long-term depressive state, I got better. I wasn’t at the point of suicide.” Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or <a href="http://lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://lifeline.org.au" data-sk="tooltip_parent">lifeline.org.au</a> Image credits: Shutterstock

Caring

Tragic flaw sees man use voluntary assisted dying drugs prescribed for his wife

Warning: This article contains discussions of suicide and depression that some readers may find upsetting A Queensland coroner has criticised the state's voluntary assisted dying laws, after an elderly man took his own life using drugs prescribed for his wife. The Coroner's Court in Brisbane held an inquest into the May 2023 death of a man in his 80s, referred to by the pseudonym ABC. The man's partner, who had a terminal illness, was found eligible for the voluntary assisted dying [VAD] program in March 2023. Under that law a person can self-administer a VAD substance in a private location but they must nominate a "contact person" who will be legally required to return any unused or leftover portion within 14 days. The self-administered drug was delivered to the couple's home a month later, and the man was the "contact person" responsible for the substance. On the same day the drug arrived, his wife was admitted to hospital with Covid, where they decided to take an intravenous VAD drug. She died in hospital on May 8, 2023. The man was told to return the drug within two days of his partner's death, but he failed to do so, using it to take his own life eight days later. He did not return the drug as he was unable to leave his home, and there was no arrangement made for a health professional to collect it. ABC’s adult daughter recalled the moment she found her lifeless father after returning from running errands. “I thought he was asleep in the chair. I put my arms around him. He was cold,” she told the inquest. The woman became emotional and said that she found an empty box in the kitchen and “knew immediately it was the VAD”. In his findings, coroner David O’Connell said he was not judging the merits of VAD, but it had led to a "tragedy" only 107 days after it was legalised. “Persons should not be placed in a position where they can be led into unwise decisions,” the coroner said in his findings handed down on Wednesday. O'Connell said that the laws had failed to find a balance between a patient's autonomy and lethal medication safety. “The VAD law has (the substance) provided to persons with no medical training, no regulatory oversight, and in a period of great personal and emotional turmoil,” he said. The inquest heard ABC had previously been diagnosed with, and received medication for depression, which should've been considered before approving someone as a contact person. "The fact that ABC had been medically diagnosed with depression and took medication was not something the VAD authorities considered, or even enquired on, when approving them to be a Contact Person. Indeed, there are simply no checks or enquiries of the Contact Person's suitability," he said. He added that while there was no breach of protocol or legislative processes by QVAD personnel, it was "not a well-considered law". O'Connell recommended the Queensland government implement an earlier draft of VAD laws that required oversight by a medical professional at all times. Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said the government would consider the coroner’s recommendations. “Following that case, we are working on a review of that legislation coming up to three years that will start next year, and that will obviously be one of the things that we look at,” she said. Image: Shutterstock

Caring

"So Australian": Local trust praised for response to illegal tree cutting

A resident's decision to cut down a tree for a better view of Sydney Harbour has backfired after a sign was erected where the tree once stood, to condemn tree vandalism. Following multiple reports of resident carrying out tree vandalism along affluent streets, the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust has called out the behaviour by setting up the sign in the Sydney lower North Shore suburb of Woolwich. "Tree vandalism has occurred in this area," the sign read. "The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust protects and manages this land for the enjoyment of the public. "Acts of vandalism like this deprive all of us of the natural environment." The sign also warned that offenders could be subject to fines and/or prosecution as punishment, and urged those who notice any suspicious activity to contact 8969 2100. After an image of the sign was shared to a Sydney group on social media, the local trust's actions have been praised, with many saying they "loved how petty this is" and one even declaring the response "so Australian". "I hope they keep this sign, as a reminder to anyone contemplating doing something similar," one commented. "We're petty but we have a right to be. You don't f**n poison or cut down trees. F**n unacceptable behaviour," another added. Others accused the person who cut down the tree of being "entitled". In last November alone, over 300 native trees and shrubs vanished in front of multi-million dollar homes along the Sydney Harbour waterfront strip. Lane Cove Council believe that hand tools were used to silently cut down the trees, which impacts plants, and local wildlife including wallabies, possums and dozens of other species. On Monday, the council put out a statement saying its "pursuit of justice" is now ramping up, referring to the incident as "the largest tree vandalism case in Lane Cove’s recent history". They are trying to obtain permission to put up a sign to block "the harbour view of the property which would most benefit from the mass clearing of the trees." "As the area is classified as a Threatened Ecological Community and contains some items of Aboriginal Heritage, it was important the appropriate approvals were in place before installing the signage," the council added. "The legal case and banner installation are important steps in our commitment to seeking the strongest possible recourse response to send a message that we stand tall against tree vandalism." Images: Reddit

Legal

Five people arrested over Matthew Perry's death

Five people have been arrested in connection with the death of Friends actor Matthew Perry, who died of a drug overdose in October 2023. Matthew Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, two doctors, and two alleged drug dealers, including Jasveen Sangha, the so-called “Ketamine Queen of Los Angeles”, have been arrested over the star's death. All five suspectes are facing charges including “conspiracy to distribute ketamine” over allegations they supplied the 54-year-old with the illegal drugs in the final weeks of his life. In the last four days of his life, Mr Perry paid $100,000 AUD for 70 vials of ketamine. Three of the five people charged have pleaded guilty to several drug-related offences, while a licensed doctor and an alleged drug dealer arrested in California on Thursday are the lead defendants in a “broad, underground criminal network” to distribute ketamine to Mr Perry and others. “These defendants took advantage of Mr Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr Perry, but they did it anyway,” said US Attorney Martin Estrada. Following the arrests, Matthew Perry's stepfather has shared a message of gratitude to law enforcement and hoped justice would be served. Keith Morrison, a Canadian journalist, and other loved ones of the Friends star in a statement issued to NBC News say they are finding some solace in the legal system nine months on from his death. "We were and still are heartbroken by Matthew's death, but it has helped to know law enforcement has taken his case very seriously," they said. "We look forward to justice taking its course." Image credits: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock Editorial

Legal

Aussie Olympian arrested in Paris after trying to buy drugs

An Aussie Olympian has been arrested after he was caught on the streets of Paris trying to buy a gram of cocaine. Hockey superstar Tom Craig tried to outrun police when he was caught, before realising he couldn't evade the authorities and surrendered. He and teammates had been at a family and friends celebration at the Hotel Maison in Montmartre in the 9th arrondissement after both his team and the Hockeyroos team of girlfriend Alice Arnott lost in the quarter finals. The 28-year-old had spent nearly 18 hours in custody after being arrested at midnight on Tuesday before being released with “a probationary criminal warning for drug use”. As a result of his indiscretion, the Kookaburras veteran has had his Olympic rights stripped from him, been banned from the athletes village and told he does not have the right to march in the closing ceremony. Craig, who is a qualified solicitor, fronted the media in central Paris hours before an AOC press conference, in which he apologised for his behaviour. “I would firstly like to apologise for what has occurred over the last 24 hours,” the Tokyo silver medallist said. “I made a terrible mistake and I take full responsibility for my actions." “My actions are my own and by no way reflect the values of my family, my teammates, my friends, the sport and the Australian Olympic team. I have embarrassed you all and I’m truly sorry.” In the AOC press conference, Australian Olympic chef de mission Anna Meares said she was adamant Kookaburras star Tom Craig was acting alone when trying to purchase the drugs. “We do feel very confident that this is an isolated incident,” Meares said. “I would rather be here talking about the three gold medals that we have won today. But here we are first." “I cannot condone what Tom has done. He is a good person who made a bad decision. But there are consequences that come with decisions like this." “Our team has been exemplary at these Games and his actions do not reflect the values of this team, nor do they diminish this team’s performances. He has apologised, shown remorse and he has owned up to his mistake and we will support him if he needs help." Image credits: X (Twitter)/DAVE HUNT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial

Legal

“Outrageous”: Silver medal stripped after illegal act

The women's 5,000m final has ended in controversy after the second place holder was stripped of her medal and disqualified. Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet took out first place in the final, while her fellow countrywoman Faith Kipyegon crossed the line second. The two Kenyan champions were seen celebrating with their country's flag after the race concluded, but their celebrations were cut short when news of Kipyegon's disqualification came through. Replays show that with two laps of the race to go, Kipyegon became entangled in a close proximity battle with Ethiopian rival Gudaf Tsegay as they raced for the first place. Kipyegon appeared to pull on the arm of Tsegay who reacted angrily by fending off the Kenyan. A Eurosport commentator was in disbelief over the display and couldn’t quite believe Kipyegon had been disqualified over the act. “That was outrageous I’m afraid. I am astonished,” he said on the global broadcast. “That was dreadful. She was not in front of her and shouldn’t have moved into her space. She wasn’t remotely far enough in front of her. There’s a rule you cannot [enter] into the space of an athlete where their feet are landing. Tsegay there was very out of order." “I think Tsegay was pushing into Kipyegon. Kipyegon just tried to protect her area, her zone so to speak." “If anything from those pictures what I’ve witnessed so far, and we need to get more information, I think Tsegay should have been disqualified. I am utterly flabbergasted. I cannot believe it. If anything they’ve got it completely wrong.” Because of the disqualification, Dutchwoman Sifansaw Hassan moved into the silver medal position, while Italy’s Nadia Battocletti took bronze. The Kenyan team officials, however, were determined to fight the disqualification, as they swiftly filed an appeal, arguing that the contact between the two athletes was incidental and did not warrant being stripped of her medal. After a thorough review of the incident, the appeal panel agreed with the Kenyan team’s assessment, concluding that the contact was part of the natural dynamics of a highly competitive race. As a result, Kipyegon's silver medal was reinstated. Image credits: Dave Shopland/Shutterstock Editorial <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">

Legal

For a century, it’s been illegal to swim in the Seine. Will Paris’s clean-up make the river safe for Olympic swimmers?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ian-a-wright-5162">Ian A. Wright</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a> Five eagerly anticipated events in the Paris Olympics will be the mens and womens 10 kilometre marathon swimming races, as well as the 1,500 metre swimming section of three triathlon events. Why? Because all will be held in the Seine River in the centre of Paris. The swimmers – including <a href="https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/trio-complete-an-historic-australian-olympic-marathon-swim-team-for-paris-2024">four Australians</a> – will pass famous landmarks such as the Musee d'Orsay as they swim through the historic heart of the city. This will have enormous scenic appeal for spectators. But will it be safe for swimmers? Rivers running through large cities are <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42949-021-00026-w">often polluted</a>, whether from stormwater, chemical pollution or wastewater spills. As the marathon swimmers pass the <a href="https://musee-egouts.paris.fr/en/">Paris Sewer Museum</a>, they may well wonder if they’re in clean water. For more than 100 years, swimming in the Seine has actually been illegal, due to concerns over what the water could do to human health. Authorities <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/may/24/olympic-games-clean-up-aims-to-leave-parisians-swimming-in-the-seine">have been working</a> to clean up the water, spending A$2.2 billion (€1.3 billion) on improving water quality. The goal: cut bacterial contamination by 75% before the first swimmer touches the water. These measures are having an impact – but recent heavy rains have seen bacteria levels spike. While officials have put on brave faces, there’s now a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/sports/olympics/paris-2024-sets-up-reserve-site-marathon-swimming-if-seine-unsuitable-2024-07-05/">contingency plan</a> in case the Seine isn’t safe. <h2>Why swim in the Seine at all?</h2> Urban rivers have a questionable reputation. But this isn’t the first time the Seine River has been used for Olympic swimming. In the 1900 Paris Olympics, <a href="https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/paris-1900/results/swimming">seven swimming events</a> were all held in the river. These games were the first modern Olympics where <a href="https://olympics.com/ioc/faq/history-and-origin-of-the-games/when-did-women-first-compete-in-the-olympic-games">women could compete</a> in some sports, but swimming was not one of those permitted. The Australian swimmer who competed, Frederick Lane, had to swim under the United Kingdom’s flag as Australia did not have a flag until Federation the following year. He won two gold medals. One was for the 200 metre freestyle race, and the other for a bizarre race never held again: the 200m <a href="https://www.olympedia.org/results/4433">swimming obstacle race</a>, where swimmers had to climb over poles and boats. These Olympics also saw the first and last underwater swimming race, which was also in the Seine. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=378&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=378&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=378&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=475&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=475&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=475&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="historic photo swimming seine river paris" /></a><figcaption>Swimmers took to the Seine’s waters at the 1900 Paris Olympics, when the river ran cleaner. <a class="source" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Swimming_1900.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></figcaption></figure> Back then, the waters of the Seine were cleaner. That’s because there was a great demand for human waste on farms – and cities were the main source. Back then, “night soil” (human waste) had a <a href="https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/11/1757/2007/hess-11-1757-2007.pdf">real market value</a>. No one would think of dumping it in rivers. But as time went on, sewerage systems developed and other fertilisers such as guano and mineral fertilisers arrived. By the early 20th century, most of the city’s wastewater went into the Seine. In 1923, the swimming ban came into effect. A year later, Paris hosted the Olympics for its second time – and swimmers competed in 50 metre pools. In recent years, many cities around the world have worked to clean up their urban waterways. River swimming is <a href="https://www.timeout.com/news/the-european-cities-cleaning-up-rivers-for-wild-swimmers-101821">now common</a> in cities such as Copenhagen, Berlin and Vienna, where river health has improved dramatically. <h2>How can you clean a river like the Seine?</h2> Cleaning the Seine is a challenge. Paris is home to 11 million people, with plenty of industry. Urban rivers are almost inevitably polluted by waste from the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42949-021-00026-w%5D">surrounding city</a>. Leaking and overflowing sewage systems are a major source of pollution. In places like the UK, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-62631320">sewage spills</a> into waterways have become a major political issue. When wastewater spills into rivers, it carries pollutants and dangerous loads of <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6725a1.htm">disease-causing microorganisms</a>, such as Escherichia coli (commonly known as E. coli). Untreated water can have viruses, bacteria and disease-causing protozoa. In the lead-up to the Paris games, authorities have been working to improve water quality enough to bring some Olympic swimming back to the Seine. Stormwater – often contaminated by dog poo or sewage overflows – is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/08/can-paris-clean-seine-for-next-year-2024-olympics">being cleaned</a> before it is released into the river. Despite the money and effort, there are still real questions over whether it will be enough to guarantee swimmer safety. Bacterial levels hit risky levels <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/11/sport/paris-olympics-seine-triathlon-bacteria-spiking-intl/index.html">most days in June</a> due to unseasonally heavy rains, but the water has <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/france/20240712-seine-clean-enough-to-swim-for-most-of-past-12-days-paris-says-ahead-of-olympics">improved in July</a>. This week, French sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra <a href="https://www.nbclosangeles.com/paris-2024-summer-olympics/french-sports-minister-takes-dip-in-seine-river-2024-paris-olympics/3458469/">swam a few metres</a> in the Seine in an effort to douse concerns. By contrast, the other Olympic swimming events will take place in a recently constructed 50 metre pool, which will have very good water quality. The pool water is filtered and treated with a disinfectant such as chlorine or bromine. It will be regularly tested to ensure optimal water quality. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, triathletes had to swim in polluted Tokyo Bay. But similar concerns over sickness proved unfounded. The real challenge was the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/05/olympic-athletes-and-volunteers-in-tokyo-tortured-by-heat">oppressive heat</a>. <h2>What’s at risk?</h2> The most likely outcome if races are held when bacterial levels are unsafe would be getting a gastrointestinal bug. Officials have some control over this. Contamination is worst after heavy rain. Races could be delayed if need be. Many swimmers – especially those who compete in open-water competitions – are familiar with swimming in water with some level of pollution. Some see it as worth the risk. Italian double world champion swimmer Gregorio Paltrinieri <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240226-paris-holds-its-breath-for-olympic-swimming-events-in-murky-seine">said in January</a>: <blockquote> Even if the water is dirty, I would rather swim in an electric atmosphere in the centre of Paris than in an anonymous stretch of water. </blockquote> Paris 2024 organisers previously warned there was no plan B for the 10 km marathon races in the Seine if water quality testing is unsuitable. But this has now changed. If the river isn’t clean enough, open water swimming <a href="https://www.reuters.com/sports/olympics/paris-2024-sets-up-reserve-site-marathon-swimming-if-seine-unsuitable-2024-07-05/">will be moved</a> to the rowing venue. The Olympic triathlon is planned around a swimming leg in the Seine. But triathletes <a href="https://www.espn.com.au/olympics/story/_/id/39912675/triathlon-leg-cancelled-seine-quality-paris-2024-chief">have been told</a> the swim leg could be skipped if the water is unsafe, which would turn the race into a running and cycling duathlon. As the world’s attention turns to Paris, there will be many anxious officials behind the scenes hoping their hard work on making the Seine swimmable pays off.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/231705/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ian-a-wright-5162">Ian A. Wright</a>, Associate Professor in Environmental Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a> Image credits: CARON/ZEPPELIN/SIPA/Shutterstock Editorial This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/for-a-century-its-been-illegal-to-swim-in-the-seine-will-pariss-clean-up-make-the-river-safe-for-olympic-swimmers-231705">original article</a>. </div>

Travel Trouble

“Is this illegal?”: Mum sparks debate over divisive rubbish bin tactic

A mother has reignited an age-old debate over neighbourhood etiquette, asking whether it is "illegal or frowned upon” to add rubbish to a neighbour’s wheelie bin if yours is completely full. Brooke Bliss, who lives on the NSW Mid North Coast, said that in her area bins were only collected once a fortnight and her outside bins fill up very quickly as a family of five. Often left with overflowing rubbish by the time collection day rolls around, Bliss admitted that she waits till the "dead of night" on the day before the bins are emptied and tosses a couple of bags of general waste into neighbours' bins. “Is this illegal or frowned upon?” the creator asked her followers in a video online. The mother-of-three explained to <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/mum-sparks-debate-over-widespread-rubbish-bin-tactic-everyone-does---but-is-it-illegal-004710089.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo News Australia</a>, “It’s actually super stressful, especially when you have young children… the bins fill up quite quickly.” “I find that my bin is full maybe like the fourth day after it’s just been collected and there’s still another eight or so days to go.” She added that she had “the most lovely neighbours” who would never have an issue with it, but she’d heard of other people being told not to do that by other residents. “I mean, if your neighbours aren’t letting you do that even if they have room in their bin, you then have the rubbish lying around your property because you have nowhere else to put it," Bliss added. Many fellow Aussies commenting on her video said they also sneak rubbish into their neighbours' bins and that once they were on the kerb they were fair game, with one adding, "as long as you're not putting rubbish in recycling or garden waste". “Both our neighbours know we do this to them,” one wrote, while another said, “I do it in broad daylight.” With a third adding, "everyone does this". While there are technically no laws against using your neighbours' bin, trespassing could be an issue unless you wait until the bin is on council land. A spokesman for Bliss's local council said that the move is generally frowned upon unless there is an agreement among neighbours. Image credits: Instagram / Shutterstock

Legal

“Greedy” landlord slammed for illegal act

A Victorian landlord has been slammed on social media after admitting to making her tenants pay an illegal pet bond amounting to $1000. The woman made the admission while replying to a post on a Facebook group for Victorian landlords after a member asked for advice about renting to tenants who have pets. "Not knowing everything but in my experience I would rather have pets than kids!" the landlord began. "I would ask for a pet bond. I have one it's $1000 for damages by the pet," she said Pet bonds are illegal in Victoria, and landlords who try to secure it illegally often describe it as a way to cover costs if their pet causes any damages to the property. When the poster replied saying that her tenant offered to provide a pet bond, but she knows they're not legal in Victoria, the landlord confessed that: "I know they are not legal but I always ask for them and my PM (property manager) has been great about them.” “I have lots of pets personally and don’t turn down animals. Again, kids have done more damage than animals in my experience,” she added. “Most renters are happy to do it as it means they can have animals.” In Victoria renters who want a pet on the property must ask the rental provider, and if they refuse the request, the landlord must provide a valid excuse, with assistance dogs being the exception. If a pet causes damages to a property, the cost of these damages can be taken out of the regular bond paid at the start of their tenancy, so a pet bond is not required. Western Australia is the only state where landlords can legally ask for a pet bond, but even then they can only charge a maximum of $260 regardless of how many pets there are. A screenshot of the landlords shocking admission was shared on X by by popular renter’s advocate, Jordie van den Berg with the caption: “Landlord: ‘yeah I know it’s not legal, but I do it anyway’." Outraged renters slammed the landlord's “greedy” and “vile” behaviour, with one calling it “emotional blackmail”. “‘Most renters are happy to pay’ – I’m sure none of them are happy but they need somewhere to live without having to give up their pet," one wrote. “I personally would not describe myself as ‘happy’ to be exploited over an illegal bond that I can’t dispute when you go ahead and invent some bulls**t to keep it because the alternative is that it’s almost impossible to get a rental with pets,” another added. “The most concerning thing is the manager, how many illegal bonds have they taken and where is the money being held? In the agents account, with the owner? It wouldn’t be with fair trading where legal bonds are lodged,” a third wrote. This comes after a recent Rental Affordability report shared by Anglicare Australia revealed that “the housing crisis is the worst it’s ever been." According to the report only 0.6 per cent out of 45,000 listings across the country were considered affordable for a person earning a full-time minimum wage. Image: Jordie Berg/ X/ Shutterstock

Legal

To tackle gendered violence, we also need to look at drugs, trauma and mental health

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/siobhan-odean-1356613">Siobhan O'Dean</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lucinda-grummitt-1531503">Lucinda Grummitt</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/steph-kershaw-1466426">Steph Kershaw</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> After several highly publicised alleged murders of women in Australia, the Albanese government this week pledged <a href="https://ministers.pmc.gov.au/gallagher/2024/helping-women-leave-violent-partner-payment">more than A$925 million</a> over five years to address men’s violence towards women. This includes up to $5,000 to support those escaping violent relationships. However, to reduce and prevent gender-based and intimate partner violence we also need to address the root causes and contributors. These include alcohol and other drugs, trauma and mental health issues. <h2>Why is this crucial?</h2> The World Health Organization estimates <a href="https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/341604/WHO-SRH-21.6-eng.pdf?sequence=1">30% of women</a> globally have experienced intimate partner violence, gender-based violence or both. In Australia, <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/crime-and-justice/partner-violence/latest-release#key-statistics">27% of women</a> have experienced intimate partner violence by a co-habiting partner; <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37004184/">almost 40%</a> of Australian children are exposed to domestic violence. By gender-based violence we mean violence or intentionally harmful behaviour directed at someone due to their gender. But intimate partner violence specifically refers to violence and abuse occurring between current (or former) romantic partners. Domestic violence can extend beyond intimate partners, to include other family members. These statistics highlight the urgent need to address not just the aftermath of such violence, but also its roots, including the experiences and behaviours of perpetrators. <h2>What’s the link with mental health, trauma and drugs?</h2> The relationships between mental illness, drug use, traumatic experiences and violence are complex. When we look specifically at the link between mental illness and violence, most people with mental illness will not become violent. But there <a href="https://theconversation.com/bondi-attacker-had-mental-health-issues-but-most-people-with-mental-illness-arent-violent-227868">is evidence</a> people with serious mental illness can be more likely to become violent. The use of alcohol and other drugs also <a href="https://theconversation.com/alcohol-and-drug-use-exacerbate-family-violence-and-can-be-dealt-with-69986">increases the risk</a> of domestic violence, including intimate partner violence. About <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/understanding-fdsv/factors-associated-with-fdsv">one in three</a> intimate partner violence incidents involve alcohol. These are more likely to result in physical injury and hospitalisation. The risk of perpetrating violence is even higher for people with mental ill health who are also <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1525086/">using alcohol or other drugs</a>. It’s also important to consider traumatic experiences. Most people who experience trauma do not commit violent acts, but there are <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(23)00075-0/fulltext">high rates</a> of trauma among people who become violent. For example, experiences of childhood trauma (such as witnessing physical abuse) <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359178915000828?via%3Dihub">can increase the risk</a> of perpetrating domestic violence as an adult. Early traumatic experiences can affect the brain and body’s <a href="https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-017-0895-4">stress response</a>, leading to heightened fear and perception of threat, and difficulty regulating emotions. This can result in aggressive responses when faced with conflict or stress. This response to stress increases the risk of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9675346/">alcohol and drug problems</a>, developing <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30798897/">PTSD</a> (post-traumatic stress disorder), and <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-17349-001">increases the risk</a> of perpetrating intimate partner violence. <h2>How can we address these overlapping issues?</h2> We can reduce intimate partner violence by addressing these overlapping issues and tackling the root causes and contributors. The early intervention and treatment of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-019-0728-z">mental illness</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1541204020939645">trauma</a> (including PTSD), and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2015.06.001">alcohol and other drug use</a>, could help reduce violence. So extra investment for these are needed. We also need more investment to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212657023000508">prevent mental health issues</a>, and preventing alcohol and drug use disorders from developing in the first place. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S074937972200023X?via%3Dihub">Preventing trauma</a> from occuring and supporting those exposed is crucial to end what can often become a vicious cycle of intergenerational trauma and violence. <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/070674371105600505">Safe and supportive</a> environments and relationships can protect children against mental health problems or further violence as they grow up and engage in their own intimate relationships. We also need to acknowledge the widespread <a href="https://store.samhsa.gov/product/practical-guide-implementing-trauma-informed-approach/pep23-06-05-005">impact of trauma</a> and its effects on mental health, drug use and violence. This needs to be integrated into policies and practices to reduce re-traumatising individuals. <h2>How about programs for perpetrators?</h2> Most existing standard intervention programs for perpetrators <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1524838018791268">do not consider</a> the links between trauma, mental health and perpetrating intimate partner violence. Such programs tend to have <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/a0012718">little</a> or <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2021.101974">mixed effects</a> on the behaviour of perpetrators. But we could improve these programs with a <a href="http://rcfv.archive.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/MediaLibraries/RCFamilyViolence/Reports/RCFV_Full_Report_Interactive.pdf">coordinated approach</a> including treating mental illness, drug use and trauma at the same time. Such “<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014976341930449X?via%3Dihub">multicomponent</a>” programs show promise in meaningfully reducing violent behaviour. However, we need more rigorous and large-scale evaluations of how well they work. <h2>What needs to happen next?</h2> Supporting victim-survivors and improving interventions for perpetrators are both needed. However, intervening once violence has occurred is arguably too late. We need to direct our efforts towards broader, holistic approaches to prevent and reduce intimate partner violence, including addressing the underlying contributors to violence we’ve outlined. We also need to look more widely at preventing intimate partner violence and gendered violence. We need developmentally appropriate <a href="https://theconversation.com/4-things-our-schools-should-do-now-to-help-prevent-gender-based-violence-228993">education and skills-based programs</a> for adolescents to prevent the emergence of unhealthy relationship patterns before they become established. We also need to address the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7278040/">social determinants of health</a> that contribute to violence. This includes improving access to affordable housing, employment opportunities and accessible health-care support and treatment options. All these will be critical if we are to break the cycle of intimate partner violence and improve outcomes for victim-survivors. <hr /> The National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line – 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault. If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call 000.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/229182/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/siobhan-odean-1356613">Siobhan O'Dean</a>, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lucinda-grummitt-1531503">Lucinda Grummitt</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/steph-kershaw-1466426">Steph Kershaw</a>, Research Fellow, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/to-tackle-gendered-violence-we-also-need-to-look-at-drugs-trauma-and-mental-health-229182">original article</a>. </div>

Caring

Two-up, Gallipoli and the ‘fair go’: why illegal gambling is at the heart of the Anzac myth

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bruce-moore-291912">Bruce Moore</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-national-university-877">Australian National University</a> Two-up is an Australian gambling game in which two coins are placed on a small piece of wood called a “kip” and tossed into the air. Bets are laid as to whether both coins will fall with heads or tails uppermost. It is one of the core activities of Anzac Day celebrations - and a beloved tradition. The word <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/ANZAC">ANZAC</a> was created in 1915 as an acronym from Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. By 1916 it was being used emblematically to reflect the traditional view of the virtues displayed by those in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Gallipoli-Campaign">Gallipoli campaign</a>, especially as these are seen as national characteristics. This cluster of national characteristics includes mateship, larrikin daredevilry, anti-authoritarianism, and egalitarianism. The game of two-up became indicative of these qualities. Mateship was evident in the way the game brought together people of disparate backgrounds. Larrikinism was evident in the defiant rejection of authority and convention. Two-up was always illegal, because the game is an unregulated form of gambling (although from the 1980s it became legal in most Australian states on Anzac Day). But in spite of the illegality, it was widely regarded as the fairest of gambling games, and at the time of the First World War the verbal command for the coins to be spun was not “come in spinner” (as it is now) but “fair go”. Indeed, the important Australian concept of the “fair go” was in part cemented by its role in the game. Two-up was the common pastime of the urban working-class man, and it feeds into the elements of egalitarianism and anti-authoritarianism that are central to both the Anzac myth and the Australian myth. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/458543/original/file-20220419-17-6mgarp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/458543/original/file-20220419-17-6mgarp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/458543/original/file-20220419-17-6mgarp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=466&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/458543/original/file-20220419-17-6mgarp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=466&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/458543/original/file-20220419-17-6mgarp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=466&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/458543/original/file-20220419-17-6mgarp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=585&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/458543/original/file-20220419-17-6mgarp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=585&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/458543/original/file-20220419-17-6mgarp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=585&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>Two original 1915 Australian pennies in a kip from which they are tossed. Roland Scheicher/ Wikimedia</figcaption></figure> <h2>Two-up and wartime life</h2> From the very early period of the First World War, two-up assumed great importance among the Australian troops. Soldiers reported that two-up was played on the battlefield during the Gallipoli campaign, even when under shellfire. As the war dragged on, numerous stories were told about Australian soldiers’ obsession with playing it. In 1918 the <a href="https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10676229">war correspondent Charles Bean</a> studied the daily life of a company of Australian soldiers stationed at a brewery in Querrieu in northern France. He places great emphasis on two-up, writing in his diary in 1918: "Two-up’ is the universal pastime of the men. … It is a game which starts in any quarter of an hour’s interval or lasts the whole afternoon. The side road outside becomes every evening a perfect country fair with groups playing these games in it - a big crowd of 70 or 80 at the bottom the street, in the middle of the road; a smaller crowd of perhaps twenty on a doorstep further up. … The game is supposed to be illegal, I think; but at any rate in this company they wink at it." Two-up was important not just in taking soldiers’ minds off the realities of the war, but also in creating a strong sense of community. Photographs from the war that show the men playing two-up reveal how it brought them together physically in a communal activity. This helps explains why men, who in civilian life may have had little or no interest in gambling, joined in the camaraderie and fun of the two-up fair, and by so doing blotted out the boredom, isolation, and loneliness of much wartime experience. <h2>Anzac Day and tradition</h2> Playing two-up became an integral part of the diggers’ memories of the experience of war, especially when commemorated on Anzac Day. By the 1930s the playing of two-up outdoors after the Anzac Day march had become an entrenched tradition. As the ranks of diggers from the two world wars declined, so the structure of Anzac Day changed in emphasis. In recent years the Dawn Service has increased greatly in popularity, while the Anzac Day march has <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-07/concern-over-australias-dwindling-number-of-world-war-veterans/10911602">suffered from dwindling numbers</a> of veterans. The streets of Sydney and similar cities are no longer dotted with two-up games in the afternoon. The games have shifted to pubs and clubs, and they are largely played by people with no experience of war. Those people who play the game on this day do so not for any deep-seated gambling impulse or because they would love to play the game on every other day of the year. They play two-up because it has become part of the meaning of Anzac Day. Anzac Day has always combined solemnity and festivity. The Dawn Service commemorates the landing at Gallipoli, and the sacrifices that ensued. Its mood is solemn. In the past, returned soldiers reminisced, told war yarns, drank, and played two-up. The soldiers have passed on, but their larrikinism survives in the tradition of the game they have bequeathed to their descendants. We should not underestimate the significance of rituals of this kind—the playing of two-up is a way in which Australians can become not just observers of, but participants in, their history and their myths. Two-up is a ritual that links the present with the past on this one day of the year.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/181337/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bruce-moore-291912">Bruce Moore</a>, Honorary Associate Professor in the School of Literature, Languages, and Linguistics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-national-university-877">Australian National University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/two-up-gallipoli-and-the-fair-go-why-illegal-gambling-is-at-the-heart-of-the-anzac-myth-181337">original article</a>. </div>

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Two-up, Gallipoli and the ‘fair go’: why illegal gambling is at the heart of the Anzac myth

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