Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon

Contact Details

Email
jai.whelan@otago.ac.nz
Position
Postdoctoral Fellow – Tāura Kairangi Whatutoto
Department
Department of Public Health (Christchurch)
Iwi affiliations
Ngāi Te Rangi
Qualifications
BSc (Hons) MSc PhD (Otago)
Research summary
Drug use, lived experience, harm reduction, drug policy

Research

I recently completed my PhD in the Department of Psychology, Otago, which focussed on MDMA use in Aotearoa. I am interested in all drug use and the ways in which they are used across society. I am particularly interested in research that pertains to reducing harm, stigma, and increasing public education regarding drug use.

Publications

Kolodziej, J., Judge, M., Baker, M., Crossin, R., & Whelan, J. (2026). Safe drug laws for Aotearoa: Why our 50-year-old drug legislation needs to go. The Briefing, (24 February). Retrieved from https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/safer-drug-laws-aotearoa-why-our-50-year-old-drug-legislation-needs-go Journal - Research Other

Whelan, J. (2025, June). Exploring methamphetamine stigma, treatment and harm reduction options in Aotearoa. Verbal presentation at the Department of Nursing / Te Tari Taphui Research Symposium, Christchurch Ōtautahi, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Mills, E., Whelan, J., McGruddy, S., & Ward, R. D. (2025). Exploring motivations, experiences, and consequences of psychedelic use in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2025.2474236 Journal - Research Article

Whelan, J., John, T., Crossin, R., & Ward, R. D. (2025). Consuming and Thinking About Nangs: A Survey of Nitrous Oxide Use, Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2025.2452224 Journal - Research Article

McGruddy, S., Whelan, J., Mills, E., Boardman, A., & Ward, R. D. (2025). The psychedelic mind: Current user perceptions of psychedelic drugs and their use. Drugs, Habits & Social Policy, 25(3-4), 189-203. doi: 10.1108/DHS-03-2024-0013 Journal - Research Article

Back to top