Fairfax Media journalist Stephanie Wood has won the 2016 Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Media Award for her Good Weekend feature "The Drugs Don't Work". The story, published on June 4, 2016, focused on the sometimes devastating effects of opioid addiction for chronic pain sufferers.
"This detailed, very well researched article warned of the prevalence and misuse of opioids, used to ease chronic pain, and the impact this has on patients, particularly in terms of addiction," the judges said. "The investigation outlined the medical and human cost of this growing public health crisis."
The $5000 ANZCA Media Award is given annually by the professional organisation for specialist anaesthetists to the best news story or feature on anaesthesia or pain medicine to appear in Australian or New Zealand media.
