July 5, 2023
Expressions Of Interest
The Royal Commission into the Victorian Mental Health System, highlighted that lived experience led service delivery and partnership in decision making is a key strategy for reform.
The lived experience leadership strategy project will encompass lived & living experience leadership across Mental health, AOD and Harm Reduction, and will seek to answer questions about LE workforce, partnership, leadership and the barriers needing to be overcome to guide the LE leadership strategy
The Department of Health has been funded SHARC to engage, contract and support LE technical experts to contribute and help guide the project coordinator around the LLE technical experts areas of expertise:
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Mental Health – Consumers
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Mental Health – Family & Carers
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AOD – Consumers
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AOD – Family & Carers
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Harm Reduction
The LE leadership strategy project is seeking a number of experienced LE technical experts with extensive experience in working from a lived or living experience particularly at a strategic and systems level.
A call for expression of interest is now open, see document attached, EOI form needs to be completed and sent in by end of day 23rd July 2023
For more information contact people are on page 6 of the EOI document. (ABOVE)
Are you prescribed Methadone (liquid), Buprenorphine (Suboxone® / Subutex®)
or paying for a monthly/weekly Buvidal® or Sublocade® injection at this Chemist?
CHANGE IS COMING
JULY 01 2023
FAQs
If you have further questions, call the office on 03-93291500 or if you are having trouble call HRVic’s PAMS free phone service on 1800 443 844 (Monday-Friday 10:30AM-5PM)
or click on the Australian Government's Department of Health & Aged Care PDF here >
Our National peak organisation AIVL is holding an ONLINE Consumers Forum on the changes to ODT (Opioid Dependence Treatment) dosing fees on Friday 30 June at 3pm.
Register HERE to attend this online Q&A forum for anyone on pharmacotherapy
HRVic @ HR23 16-19 APRIL 2023
SOCIAL MEDIA
Nth Richmond Injecting Room To STAY!
Victoria’s Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR) in North Richmond will become an ongoing service, with critical support services expanded, after an independent review found the trial has saved 63 lives – successfully managing almost 6,000 overdoses, taking pressure off local hospitals and reducing ambulance call outs.
The Victorian Government will today introduce legislation to establish the health service as an ongoing service – with immediate measures to be taken to further boost safety and amenity in the North Richmond precinct and increase wrap-around supports for MSIR clients.
READ MORE FROM DEPT HERE
HRVic's Response
‘It ‘s Your Right’ - Hep C Treatment Campaign –
HRVic’s Social Media Picture Competition
Harm Reduction Victoria and EC Australia are launching It’s Your Right to promote hepatitis C treatment to Victorians.
We are working towards eliminating hepatitis C as a public health threat in Australia.
We want people to know the treatments have changed! They are easier, can be done whether you are currently using or not, can be done if you’ve been treated before and that there are good places to go for support.
It's Your Right will be running from Sept 1st through to November 30th in these areas: Inner, Northern and Western suburbs of Melbourne, Geelong and Corio.
Here’s how to enter:
1. FIND an It's Your Right' ad out in its natural habitat.
2. SNAP a selfie WITH the ad (you can cover your face if you like)
3.POST the pic of yourself with your found 'It's Your Right' hep C treatment Ad
4. TAG both @harmreductionvictoria and @hrvic_hpteam to be entered to win.
5. Use the hashtags #itsyourright #Treatyourself or #hepCfree in the caption to be noticed.
6. SHARE with your mates- If you all enter you have a better chance of winning then split the cash!
7.WATCH for our WINNER ANNOUNCEMENTS ON INSTA /FB/TWITTER and TIKTOK around Oct 30th to see if you’re one of our lucky winners.!!!
You can enter as many photos as you like as there are a number of different ads to find all over Melbourne.
To celebrate the Victorian launch of EC Australia's "IT"S YOUR RIGHT" hepatitis C treatment campaign, HRVic are giving away three amazing prize packs!
What's the catch?
You will need to find as many of the 'It's Your Right' campaign ads that are dotted around the Melbourne and Geelong areas.
To make finding them easier we will give you 2 hints a week on our social media stories so keep an eye out and be sure to FOLLOW US, LIKE and SHARE with your mates!
BUT WHAT DO YOU GET?
1. The GRAND 'YOU FLOODED OUR INSTA FEED' - PRIZE Pack winner gets $450 CASH MONEY!! to do what thou wilt with!
2. The 'GOOD ON YOU MATE! ' Encouragement Prize Pack winner gets $250 CASH
and lastly the
3. The 'WE BELIEVE IN YOU' Prize Pack winner gets $100 bucks.
This last prize is voted on by our social media followers and our peers- this is a community choice photo winner We are looking for the most interesting location or funniest pose with the ad etc.
CULTURAL WARNING:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following post contains the names and stories of proud Aboriginal women now resting in the Dreaming.
The Inquest into the death of
Ronnie Nelson Began This Week....
Veronica M Nelson: Inquest (vals.org.au)
This case is imperative- firstly, to ensure justice for Veronica and secondly, for many of us, past and present, in the community.
We at Harm Reduction Victoria are watching this inquest carefully to understand whether her health status is seen to have impacted on how she was treated and why it appears that basic duties of care were not followed in our Victorian system.
This affects too many of us in similar situations.
Video Presentation
The NarcoFeminism Story Share Project
22.03.22
HRVic are proud to share with our community, this amazing new video featuring the narcofeminism story share model of the North Carolina Urban Survivors Union. In this video we hear from womxn who use drugs as they share stories about their drug use, stigma, discrimination, pregnancy and parenting.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/PnGcnR5eI8s
Or listen to it as a podcast here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3LNsjjkJ4FQCo8ZRxEUWY5?si=UBR64KnbSxCnJEhpSBIolQ
The story share model is an important tool for deconstructing the internalized narratives around the drug war.
Traditional story share models often reinforce tropes and stigma we find in existing cultural narrative projects. Reproductive Harm Reduction is an inclusive powerful new paradigm focused on pregnant and parenting people who use drugs, and it was born from the Narcofeminism story share experience.
Thank you so much to Louise Vincent for conceptualizing and coordinating this video, and to Drugreporter for overseeing the editing and production.
AWARDS
2019 Alcohol and Other Drugs Excellence and Innovation Awards Melbourne 24th June
These awards encourage, recognise and celebrate the achievements of the incredible people and organisations that do exceptional work to prevent and reduce the harm and impact of alcohol and other drugs in Australia. Nominations are open to all people and organisations working across the health and wellbeing sectors in Australia. Visit our website for full details and to nominate: https://adf.org.au/programs/2019-aod-awards/
January 22, 2020 -
AIHW REPORT: Alcohol, tobacco & other drugs in Australia
MEDIA RELEASES & REPORTS
AIHW Report: Alcohol, tobacco & other drugs in Australia
The consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs is a major cause of preventable disease and illness in Australia. This report consolidates the most recently available information on alcohol, tobacco and other drug use in Australia, and includes key trends in the availability, consumption, harms and treatment for vulnerable populations. Further, information on a range of health, social and economic impacts of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use are highlighted.
To access the report go to: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/alcohol/alcohol-tobacco-other-drugs-australia/contents/priority-populations/older-people
January 09 2019 -
MEDIA RELEASE: MONKEY's MUST BE DEVELOPING OUR DRUG POLICIES: MEDIA'S MORAL PANIC OVER ‘Monkey Dust’ – AGAIN...(and again)
WHAT DO WE KNOW?
WHAT IS IT: MDPV [3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone] is a euphoric stimulant with effects reported to be similar to methylphenidate at low doses and cocaine at higher doses. It is most likely toxic to the cardiovascular and cognitive systems. It is pure white to light-brown clumpy powder with a slight odor, that often changes properties when exposed to air.
DURATION: The MDPV experience lasts around 2-4 hours, taking effect between 30 minutes and 2 hours after administration. The experience may last longer with higher doses, which are also riskier to health. Do not redose before two hours after administration.
DOSE: MDPV can be insufflated (snorted), taken orally or rectally (shelved). Doses for insufflation range from 2mg-5mg for a light effect to 10mg-20mg for a strong effect. Oral doses are similar, with a light dose range between 4mg-10mg and a stronger dose of 12mg-25mg.
MDPV is widely reported to lead to compulsive redosing, which many people have found to lead them into difficulties with this substance.
Author: Nick Wallis,
DanceWize Officer, Harm Reduction Victoria
[3] [https://www.9news.com.au/2019/01/08/09/17/monkey-dust-news-party-drug-warning-australia]
[5] [https://psychonautwiki.org/wiki/MDPV]
[6] [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bath-salts-drug-ingredient-to-be-made-illegal-1.1247255]
[7] [https://adf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/ADF-PreventionResearch-Apr13.pdf]
[8] [https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/780d/88ba150e20504bb79554b35b935c861507a6.pdf]
[10] https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/lrrcsc/inquiries/article/2809
[11] http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/num_act/dpacsmaa201740o2017683/
[12] [https://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1559072/synthetic-drugs-a-losing-battle/]
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCE:
'MONKEY DUST' (MDPV) RESOURCE
November 2018
MEDIA RELEASE: MY HEALTH RECORD- SUPPORT FOR 12-MONTH EXTENSION TO OPT-OUT PERIOD FOR ‘MY HEALTH RECORD’
November 2018- UPDATE
MEDIA RELEASE: MY HEALTH RECORD- SUPPORT FOR 12-MONTH EXTENSION TO OPT-OUT PERIOD FOR ‘MY HEALTH RECORD’
Minister for Health Greg Hunt just tweeted: "Today the Government worked with the Senate crossbench to extend the opt-out period for #MyHealthRecord. The opt-out period will be extended until January 31, 2019..."
Harm Reduction Victoria’s peak body, the Australian and Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) has joined a growing chorus of community groups supporting Australian Senate moves to extend the opt-out period for the ‘My Health Record’ by 12 months.
Sione Crawford
Chief Executive Officer
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCE:
June 2018
REPORT: Groovin The Moo, ACT- Pill testing pilot 2018
Download and read PDF here.
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCE:
09 May 2018
MEDIA RELEASE: Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL)
HEALTH BUDGET: A GOOD START BUT MORE TO DO ON DRUG SUPPORT SERVICES
The Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) has welcomed some additional funding for drug treatment in tonight's Federal Budget but is disappointed that other key harm reduction measures have missed out. AIVL is calling on the Australian Government to abandon its planned trial of drug testing for welfare recipients and redirect that funding into frontline services in the wake of the Budget. AIVL is also calling for a stronger focus on people exiting custodial settings to strengthen Australia's efforts under the new national blood borne virus (BBV) and sexually transmissible infections (STI) strategies.
"While the Government will provide $40M over 3 years to expand GP services ($20M) and provide additional funding for residential rehabilitation services ($20M), further investment will be required to ensure that the alcohol and other drug (AOD) service system is able to meet existing demand. Just yesterday, the Government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing a trial of drug testing for welfare recipients in its majority report for the inquiry into the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill 2018. However, the inquiry report is filled with expert testimony urging the Government not to proceed. We would like to see the funding that has been allocated for drug testing of welfare recipients redirected into frontline services," explained Melanie Walker, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AIVL.
"There's a full suite of evidence-based interventions in the AOD sector but services are currently under-resourced and struggling to keep up with demand. For instance, we already knew from previous studies that investment in Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs) between 2000 and 2009 prevented nearly 97,000 Hepatitis C infections and 32,050 HIV infections - for every dollar spent on NSPs, more than $4 will be returned in savings to the health system[i]. AIVL recently released a new report looking at ways to enhance the effectiveness of NSPs across the country to address access issues and maximise the public health benefits[ii]. NSPs remain a very cost effective way of preventing the transmission of BBVs - increasing access to NSPs should be a high priority.
"Evidence-based AOD treatment is also a good investment. For every $1 invested in AOD treatment, society gains $7. However, while approximately 200,000 people receive AOD treatment in any one year in Australia, it is estimated that an additional 200,000 - 500,000 people seeking treatment are unable to access it[iii]. People don't need to be coerced into accessing drug treatment - there just aren't enough treatment places to meet demand. This Budget will go some way towards addressing unmet need but there's a long way to go if we are to meet the needs of those individuals, families and communities struggling to address AOD problems.
"It is also important that people entering and exiting custodial contexts are not forgotten. Ensuring access to the full suite of preventive, harm reduction measures - and ensuring that people are able to continue their engagement with AOD and BBV treatments post-release - are tangible ways that we could protect more Australians from contracting BBVs. There is a real need for a national policy to guide prisons in jurisdictions[iv].
"It would be great to see enhanced investment in these types of cost effective harm reduction and demand reduction measures as part of future federal budgets," said Ms Walker.
AIVL is the national organisation representing people who use/have used illicit drugs and is the peak body for the state and territory
peer-based drug user organisations.
MEDIA CONTACT: Melanie Walker, CEO, AIVL - 0438 430 963
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[i] Return on Investment 2: Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of needle and syringe programs in Australia: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/A407CF4FECBDC715CA257BF0001F98B2/$File/retexe.pdf
[ii] Needle and Syringe Programs in Australia: Peer-led Best Practice:
http://www.aivl.org.au/resource/needle-and-syringe-programs-in-australia-peer-led-best-practice/
[iii] New Horizons: The review of alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/FD5975AFBFDC7013CA258082000F5DAB/$File/The-Review-of-alcohol-and-other-drug-treatment-services-in-Australia.pdf
[iv] A needs analysis for people living with HCV after leaving custodial settings in Australia:
Attachment: http://drugsense.org/temp/rPER59wAbs4662.html