Publication highlight

Global perspectives on kava: A narrative systematic review of the health effects, economic and social impacts and policy considerations
September 2025
Kava drink

This review explored available literature on kava from both qualitative and quantitative studies.

Economidis, G., Lynch, M., Taylor, S., Asare‐Doku, W., Macpherson, G., Degenhardt, L., Farrell, M., & Santo, T. (2025). Global Perspectives on Kava: A Narrative Systematic Review of the Health Effects, Economic and Social Impacts and Policy Considerations. Drug and Alcohol Review, 44(6), 1601–1640. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.14080

Kava is a plant-based drug central to many Pacific Island cultures, yet its physiological and psychological effects remain contested and poorly understood.

Additionally, the broader social, economic, and policy consequences of kava trade and consumption are unclear.

This paper systematically reviewed global literature on kava to clarify its role and potential impacts across these domains.

Read the full study in Drug and Alcohol Review.

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Publication list

September 2025

News

NDRI Director delivers keynote at major policy forum in China
NCYSUR Conference Report and Awards
NDARC relocated to the UNSW Health Translation Hub
New guiding principles to support peer workers
New vaping resources available to support workplaces
Alcohol retail lobbying: Comparing policy positions between sectors
Substance use implicated in most adult bath-related drownings, NDARC study shows
Recreational nitrous oxide use survey seeking participants
Consecutive Early Career research excellence awards for NDRI researcher
New guide to support telehealth for AOD counselling
NDRI researcher elected president of prestigious society
Recognising the NCETA Team
Regional Harm Reduction: A Bilateral Australia–Japan Drug Policy Initiative
Abstract submission opening for ISSDP 2026 in Perth
NCYSUR media mentions
Understanding overdose and other drug-induced deaths in Australia: What the latest data tells us
Vaping more effective at helping socially disadvantaged people quit smoking than NRT
NDRI Director to help steer international drug strategy
NCETA’s NADK website updated with latest data