Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League - AIVL

AIVL is very demure, very mindful 🧘‍♂️ ✌️

This Overdose Awareness day, we explore the barriers and successes in naloxone provision, with insights from Australia and Portugal's community distribution efforts. Join us on Friday the 30th of August at 12:30pm for a fascinating webinar with guest speakers from Australia and Portugal.

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YuLNN8ICSDyBy5bUUauL8g

Join us! Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RYoHbMo9QCW_1cHqZxY_Pg

Australia’s Drug User Organisations were founded amidst the hepatitis C epidemic. Our pioneers, who experienced the impact of hepatitis C firsthand, laid the foundation for the programs and services we have today. Their leadership and insights continue to influence our daily efforts.

As we move toward the goal of eliminating hepatitis C, we face the challenge of preserving and applying this invaluable knowledge to address future health threats. Join us to discuss how we can carry forward the lessons learned from our past to protect the health and freedom of our diverse community in the future.

Join us on 30 July! Link to register in bio.
 
Australia’s Drug User Organisations were founded amidst the hepatitis C epidemic. Our pioneers, who experienced the impact of hepatitis C firsthand, laid the foundation for the programs and services we have today. Their leadership and insights continue to influence our daily efforts.  
 
As we move toward the goal of eliminating hepatitis C, we face the challenge of preserving and applying this invaluable knowledge to address future health threats. Join us to discuss how we can carry forward the lessons learned from our past to protect the health and freedom of our diverse community in the future.

The rise of fatal opioid overdoses from nitazenes in the illicit drug supply has raised significant concerns. Those in prison aren't afforded the same protections as the rest of the community. The period post-release is a high-risk time for overdose, with rates up to twenty times higher than the general population. Providing naloxone and training before release is crucial.

“There are too few people getting naloxone when they leave prison,” says Ele Morrison, AIVL Deputy-CEO. “Governments must expand naloxone access and training in all prisons. Harm reduction measures must be implemented urgently.”

“Nitazenes in prisons are a disaster waiting to happen,” says AADC CEO Melanie Walker. “We must ensure custodial officers have naloxone and are trained to use it.”

https://aivl.org.au/nitazenesinprison/

This year, to mark “Support. Don’t Punish,” we asked our communities, “What does support look like for you?”
 
 
We received nearly 50 heartfelt responses and our talented artists, and from the community turned these insights into beautiful illustrations. This is round two of those stunning illustrations! 🤗

This year, to mark “Support. Don’t Punish,” we asked our communities, “What does support look like for you?”
 
We received nearly 50 heartfelt responses and our talented artists, and , from the community turned these insights into beautiful illustrations. Feel free to spread the love and throw these everywhere, and if you want stickers or tattoos or posters let us know!

Join us on Wednesday 26 June, at 4pm to mark Support Don't Punish by discussing local and international initiatives that support the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs.

Register here :)
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zf5zXzH0Q6GHRsOINCMSpg

While overdose rates rise and people die, evidence-based harm reduction spending goes down, from almost nothing, to even closer to nothing.

Yesterday we weren't surprised by the findings from The Australian ‘drug budget’: Government drug policy expenditure 2021/22 report released by UNSW. More from us to come on this topic.

You can find the press release and full report here: https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2024/06/illicit-drugs-government-spending-lowest-on-prevention-and-harm-reduction-shows-new-report

The theme for this year's Reconciliation Week is: Now More Than Ever. This week provides us with dedicated time to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. At AIVL, we have been reflecting on the specific and disproportionate impacts of drug policy on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. AIVL is committed to supporting and facilitating the leadership of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of People Who Use Drugs. Now more than ever the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue.

We invite our community to join us, and come together to reflect on and remember the legacy of our peers today on International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day. You can leave the name or a message to the person you want to commemorate in the comments below.

The AIVL community of people who use drugs deeply values inclusivity and appreciates diversity. There is no place for homophobia or transphobia in this world. Be your beautiful self, love who you love, and shine bright!

The Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) welcomes the Albanese government’s investment in the health of our community. This budget includes significant investment in HIV and hepatitis C. Read our full initial budget response on our website. https://aivl.org.au/2024budgetresponse/

AIVL supports Harm Reduction Victoria and other community advocates in calling on the Victorian Government to centralise the involvement of people who use drugs and to continue planning a second injecting room in Melbourne’s central business district in its “State-Wide Action Plan to Save Lives and Reduce Drug Harm” announced on 23 April 2024.

https://aivl.org.au/victoria-scraps-second-injecting-room/

Some photos from our AIVL CEO, John, when visiting G*T (Portuguese: G*T Grupo de Ativistas em Tratamentos, English: Group of Activists for Treatment), the peer-based harm reduction organisation providing non-judgemental, holistic services to PWUD, s*x workers, and LGBTQI+ people, during the World Hepatitis Summit 2024 in Lisbon. Their strengths reside in a diverse team of peer workers and allies offering an inclusive program:

• Peer-based drop-in centre with access to computers, clothes, food & social activities

• Peer-led health promotion and harm reduction services including Needle and Syringe Programs & Point of Care Testing

• Peer-supervised drug consumption rooms (safe injecting/smoking areas)

• On-site nurse-led BBV testing

• On-site GP-led treatment & medication management

• On-site social work & psychology appointments

• Referrals to housing support, health clinics, hospitals & AOD treatment services

• Community peer outreach program with needle collection

This , join us to reflect on our past and shape the future.

AIVL is hosting an online forum to discuss ‘Harm Reduction’ in Australia on Tuesday, 7 May, from 2 - 3.30 pm AEST.

As we move into an era of drug decriminalisation, drug checking, peer-led services, increasing criminal sanctions for v**e smokers, and injectable opioid dependence treatment, we reflect on our past lessons and achievements, what is changing across the country, and how world events might affect us.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xQ8jK8c3TUCUXTf0RJ-0AA

CAHMA and The Connection INPUD QuIVAA Students for Sensible Drug Policy Australia

Hey fam, it's Trans Visibility Day! 🎉 Today's all about celebrating the beauty and strength of our trans siblings. Your journey, your story—it's all valid and cherished here. Let's keep shining our lights, supporting each other, and standing tall together. 🏳️‍⚧️💖

WE URGENTLY NEED:
FREE, CONFIDENTIAL, COMMUNITY-LED DRUG CHECKING AT FESTIVALS & FIXED-SITE DRUG CHECKING NATIONWIDE!

Today we celebrate the incredible women living with HIV throughout Australia. 💪✨

Empowering women isn’t just about breaking glass ceilings; it’s also about dismantling patriarchal structures. 💪 Celebrating with a nod to narcofeminism - where women refuse to be sidelined in the fight against injustice. Let’s keep challenging norms and amplifying voices for a more inclusive future! 🌟

This week, Ele, our Director of Advocacy, was invited to speak on a panel. She was asked the following question: "What does economic empowerment look like for women accessing AOD services, and why is it important?" Of course, Ele gave a stellar answer, so we asked her to compile her thoughts and share them with our whole community.

International Women’s Day | Economic Empowerment & Accessing AOD Services The theme of ‘Inspiring Inclusion’ on International Women’s Day 2024 is an interesting idea. As people who use drugs (PWUD), especially illicit drugs, we also talk about inclusion, and we have been for a long…

AIVL remains open today and the team is working as normal. We stand in solidarity with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of our community. On January 26, we reflect on the devastation and oppression that began with colonisation.

We would also like to acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are part of AIVL’s network for the valuable contribution they make to the lives of our people, our environments, our communities and our work. You are loved and supported.💜🖤💛❤️

Awesome T-shirt by .herczeg to raise funds for (Aboriginal Legal Service) and (North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency).

It had to be done....

As we wrap up and close down for the holiday period, we want to thank all our amazing community members and partners for your energy, support and wisdom in 2023.

Here are some pictures from our International Drug User Day Celebration, Peer Summit and AGM earlier this year!

We wish you a happy holiday season and look forward to working alongside you to advance the wellbeing, health and human rights of people who use drugs in 2024.

AIVL will be closed from Friday the 22nd Dec 2023 until 08th Jan 2024.

The experiences of violence against women who use drugs are even more extreme for those facing intersecting oppressions such as women of colour, young women, older women, s*x workers, or trans women. Words adapted from

Harm reduction programs need to consider the safety and support needs of women and gender diverse people.

The treatment of women who use drugs in the media is unacceptable and harms society. Here are some more authentic headlines reporting on mothers who use drugs.

All s*x workers who use drugs deserve to access safe and non-judgmental services without fear of stigma and discrimination.

Women and gender-diverse people who use drugs are the experts in their own lives and should be leading all decisions that impact their lives.