Hepatitis C- Testing, Treatment & Prevention Are you looking for a GP to prescribe you the new hep C treatment? We have compiled a list of clinics and doctors who are happy to treat people who are currently using drugs without judgement or shame - and who we know are prescribing the new Hep C meds. We have no way of guaranteeing that you will get an appointment but hopefully, with these few tools, it will make the getting of the new hep C treatment a little bit easier for us all. Melbourne Area Northern Suburbs/ Inner North West ReGen -Coburg Integrated Hep C Clinical Nurse Consultant- Sally Watkinson 26 Jessie St, Coburg VIC 3058 Phone: (03) 9386 2876 Website: www.regen.org.au *Wednesday Afternoons - 2-4:30pm Grantham Street Practice Dr Ohnmar John 69 Grantham Street Brunswick West, VIC 3055 Phone: (03) 9380 1384 Website: http://www.gsgp.com.au/ Lotus Medical Centre Dr Magdy Ramzy Address : Suite 3 & 4 200 Sydney Road, Brunswick VIC 3056 Phone: (03) 9380 1588 Website: Northside Clinic All GPs 370 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North VIC 3068 Phone: (03) 9485 7700 Website: www.northsideclinic.net.au Western Suburbs/ Inner West coHealth Healthworks – Footscray Dr 4-12 Buckley Street Footscray VIC 3011 Phone: (03) 9362 8100 Website: https://www.cohealth.org.au Meadows Medical Centre Dr. Michael Aufgang Address: 311 Queen St. Altona Meadows VIC 3028 Phone: (03) 9369 4266 Hours: 9am–6pm Website: coHealth Kensington Dr Nadia Chaves visiting infectious disease specialist. GP referral required. Address: 12 Gower Street, Kensington Phone: (03) 8378 1600 coHealth Joslin Clinic Doctor(s): Dr Erin Gordon Address: 575a Barkly Street, Footscray Phone: (03) 9912 2000 coHealth Paisley St, Footscray Doctor(s): Dr Erin Gordon Address: 78 Paisley Street, Footscray Phone: (03) 8398 4100 Please note: If people are not already a patient at cohealth or Inner Space then they will need to be seen as a new patient, which requires a double appointment. coHealth Braybrook or coHealth Laverton Integrated Hep C Clinical Nurse Consultant- Sally Watkinson Call 9448 5507 for appointments. Walk in’s are fine but best to call first. Tuesdays – 9.30 -12.30 Inner City coHealth Fitzroy Doctor(s): Dr Ohnmar John, Dr Sophie Mancey-Jones Address : 75 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 3065 Phone: (03) 9411 3555 Please note: If people are not already a patient at cohealth or Inner Space then they will need to be seen as a new patient, which requires a double appointment. coHealth Collingwood Doctor(s): Dr Kate Coles Address : 365 Hoddle St, Collingwood Phone: (03) 9411 4333 Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Doctor(s): Dr Ohnmar John Address : 186 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy 3065 Phone: (03) 9419 3000 Errol St Medical Centre, North Melbourne Doctor(s): Dr Zahra Mokhayer ONLY Address : 65-67 Errol St, North Melbourne VIC 3051 Phone: (03) 9329 7011 Victoria Street Acupuncture & Medical Clinic, North Melbourne Doctor(s): Dr John Jagoda Address : 436 Victoria St, North Melbourne VIC 3051 Phone: (03) 9328 4034 Website: www. vmac.com.au we have a Div 1 Nurse full time on the premises. North Richmond Community Health, North Richmond Doctor(s): All GPs Address : 23 Lennox St, Richmond VIC 3121 Phone: (03) 9418 9800 Website: http://www.nrch.com.au/ Appointments need to be booked online nrch.com.au Youth Projects Living Room Currently closed for renovations Integrated Hep C Clinical Nurse Consultant- Sally Watkinson 7-9 Hosier Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000 Phone: (03) 9662 4488 Website: http://www.youthprojects.org.au/health/programs/living-room *Must be homeless or at risk of homelessness Inner Space- Health Living Clinic Address : 4 Johnston Street, Collingwood Vic 3066 Phone: (03)9468 2800 Website: innerspace.org.au Please note: If people are not already a patient at cohealth or Inner Space then they will need to be seen as a new patient, which requires a double appointment. Inner South Access Health, St Kilda Dr Belinda McDonald, Dr Josephine Samuel-King & Dr Joseph Sherman 31 Grey St, St Kilda VIC 3182 03) 9536 7780 Website:: http://crisisservicesnetwork.org.au/access-health/ Starhealth / Better Health Network Dr Belinda McDonald, & Dr Joseph Sherman 341 Coventry Street South Melbourne 3205 03) 9525 1300 First Step, St Kilda Integrated Hep C Clinical Nurse Consultant- Sally Watkinson 42 Carlisle St, St Kilda VIC 3182 Phone : T: (03) 9537 3177 Website: www.firstep.org.au *Monday Afternoons St Kilda Superclinic Dr Simon Rose Acland Court, 156-160 Acland St, St Kilda VIC 3182 Phone : (03) 9525 5766 Website: http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/en/Find-Us/Victoria/CrisisServices/Program-Information/Health-Services/ South East Prahran Market Clinic, Prahran Dr. Sven Strecker Pran Central Shopping Centre, 325 Chapel St, Prahran VIC 3181 Phone : T: (03) 9514 0888 Website: www.prahranmarketclinic.com *Apparently ALL doctors at this clinic are prescribing East/ North East Wantirna Medical Clinic Dr Kristina Flego 103 Harold Street, Wantirna VIC 3152 Phone : T: (03) 9800 2088 Website: Side note: We Need Your Help! At HRVic , we receive calls and emails daily from our community asking about hep C treatment prescribers. We have been compiling a Treatment Prescriber list for the past few years and it is turning out to be much more difficult than we first imagined and a whole lot more work. As well as this, some doctors are asking us to NOT to put them on a list as the few who are prescribing, are over run with patients at the moment. If you are wondering if your GP or a clinic near you is prescribing the new treatments, the best thing to do is CALL the clinic directly and ask them. If you find out that they are or aren’t, then please let us know so we can add it to our list or take them off. We are all in this together and if we can all help each other out the better we will all be for it. We would appreciate any assistance you can give in this matter. Regional Victoria Ballarat Ballarat Community Health *ALL 3 Locations Doctor(s): Hep C Nurse(s)- Kirsty Simpson and/or Chloda Sainsbury* Address : 12 Lilburne St LUCAS, 10 Learmonth Rd WENDOUREE, 260 Vickers St SEBASTOPOL, 19 Heales St SMYTHESDALE Phone : Kirsty- (03) 53384572 , Chloda- (03) 53204211 *Mondays and Wednesdays Romsey Romsey Medical Doctor(s):Dr Paul Grinzi Address : 99 Main Street, Romsey VIC 3434 Phone : (03) 5429 5254 Wodonga, Mildura and Sheparton Doctor(s): Integrated Hep C Clinical Nurse Consultant- Sally Watkinson *please contact Sally for more details sally.watkinson@mh.org.au Gisborne Neal Street Medical Clinic Doctor(s): Dr Ben Crowther Address : 5 Neal St Gisborne VIC Phone : (03) 5483 3333 Drouin West Gippsland Family Practice Doctor(s): All Address : 25 Young Street, Druin VIC 3818 Phone : (03) 56256500 and 03) 56256555 **HAS A VEIN FINDER** Our list is being maintained & updated as often as needed & is possible. If you are getting treated or have been treated and have had a GOOD experience WITHOUT judgement or shame around your substance use or your situation, PLEASE SHARE your story with the rest of our community as some of us are having a difficult time finding an understanding doctor or PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST ON OUR #TREATME FACEBOOK PAGE Find out all the latest on the Direct Acting Antiviral treatments and their effects and speak to others who have had or are thinking about having the new treatments for Hep C, on our HRVic #treatme facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hrvic.treatme ABOUT THE DAAs (DIRECT ACTING ANTIVIRALS) Blood Borne Virus Peer Workshops & Staff Training NEXT PEER WORKSHOPS COMING UP NEXT STAFF TRAINING COMING UP

Acerca de Annual General Meeting December 4 2024 @ 3pm Dear members, Harm Reduction Victoria would like to remind you of our 2023-2024 Annual General Meeting which will be happening on: Wednesday DECEMBER 4th 2024 at 3:00pm to 5:00pm. This year we are holding the meeting at Harm Reduction Victoria’s office at: 299-305 Victoria Street, Brunswick VIC 3056. We are also able to offer online access to the AGM via Teams. If a vote is needed for Board positions, we will arrange a process and let online attendees know on the day. We are a community, peer organisation and as such it is important that all members get a chance to be involved in our future, so please do join us if you can. Nominating for the Board of HRVic Have you ever thought of being on the Board of a not for profit organisation who advocates and works for something you are passionate about? Being on the Board of a peer-based, membership-based community organisation is a great way to contribute to your community and it can be rewarding and enjoyable. Being on the Board is also a responsibility and requires a level of commitment to attend regular meetings and do some reading and preparation for these meetings . Realistically, participating on the Board will take about 4-5 hours each month. HRVic seeks people who may currently use drugs or have used drugs in the past, and others who support HRVic’s mission and purposes, to join the Board. We want people who are passionate and willing to participate in governance or willing to learn. If you are thinking about nominating to join the Board, HRVic requires that you meet with the CEO and a member of the Board executive before submitting your nomination form. The Board nomination form needs to be received by HRVic no later than one week before the AGM. This year, forms have to be received at HRVic before midnight on the 27th of November 2024. Please organise to meet with the CEO and a member of the Board a few weeks before this date. The meeting is an opportunity for you to ask questions about HRVic, the Board and what’s involved in being a Board member. It’s also an opportunity for HRVic to find out more about you – your experiences, skills and reasons for wanting to join the Board of HRVic. Based on our legal obligations and organisational needs, HRVic reserves ththe right to not accept a Board nomination. What happens if my nomination is accepted? 1. You need to provide a short statement about who you are and why you want to join the Board. This will be sent out to the members so they can learn about the candidates. 2. You will have to complete the Board nomination form and you will have to have another member of HRVic formally second your nomination (this means having another member signing the form to say they support your nomination). 3. You then attend the AGM and speak to your nomination. Members attending the AGM vote to appoint the Board members, with a ballot if the number of nominees is greater than the number of vacant positions. Voting at the HRVic AGM HRVic members attending the AGM are asked to vote to accept the minutes of the previous AGM, vote to accept the Financial Report, vote to approve the appointment of Auditors for the forthcoming financial year and vote to appoint the nominees to the Board of HRVic. You will leave a voting expert if you came a voting virgin. Only members of HRVic are allowed to vote at the HRVic AGM. This year the HRVic AGM will be hybrid- meaning voting will be held both online and in person. If an election needs to be held to vote for members of the Board of HRVic (i.e. when the number of people nominating to the Board is higher than the number of vacant positions on the Board), we will run hybrid voting where HRVic members can vote for candidates during the meeting either online or in-person. VOTING BY PROXY If you are not able to attend the AGM, you can vote by proxy. This means you can appoint someone to vote on your behalf (using the Appointment of Proxy form). You can appoint as your proxy the Board Secretary or another HRVic member. Any HRVic member can only be a proxy for TWO other HRVic members. You can allow your appointed proxy to choose how to vote on your behalf or you can indicate your preferred candidates. The names of candidates who have nominated to the Board will be emailed to members on Thursday, 28th of November 2024 and also posted to the HRVic website. Please email admin@hrvic.org.au if you need a proxy form. PLEASE NOTE: If you are not on the list of members (including where we have your name as a nickname), you will not be able to vote. PLEASE ENSURE WE HAVE YOUR DETAILS CORRECT TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN VOTE. This is especially important for members voting online and will only be able to do this if the name they use when they join the online AGM is the same as the name we have on our list of members. If you are not sure if you are a member, it is important that you confirm your membership before the AGM. You can email us at admin@hrvic.org.au to confirm your membership. If you would like to become a vote at an AGM, HRVic must receive your membership application 30 days before the AGM. AGM Forms Available Here INVITE AGENDA NOMINATION FORM 2023 Minutes VOTING INFO 2022/23 Annual Report For Online Attendees: TEAMS LINK to Join AGM 2023-24 Join AGM Online Notes For TEAMS Meeting Attendees We will have a waiting room system and will admit people from 2:30pm onwards. All attendees will be muted on entry by default. As per normal practice, we will check off members as we admit attendees into the virtual 'meeting room'. If you are a member, please ensure your TEAMS nameplate reflects your member name so we can count your vote if needed. We will assign members an “M” in their TEAMS nameplate, so that we can identify members easily during the proceedings. Members who are sharing a computer: Please message us at the start of the meeting at the HRVic Zoom Account so the Secretary can count your vote JOIN HRVIC (to Vote NEXT year) Board Nominees

Expressions Of Interest Interested individuals should Email submissions, Including: 1. A detailed Curriculum Vitae / Resume highlighting relevant experience and qualifications. 2. A cover letter outlining your interest in the position and how your skills and experience align with the Key Selection Criteria and Key Accountabilities in the Position Description below. 3. Contact details of two references who can speak to your suitability for the role. Email: admin@hrvic.org.au Due Date: CLOSED Subject Line: “DW Coordinator EOI application” Harm Reduction Victoria is seeking expressions of interest from qualified individuals to fulfill the position of DanceWize Coordinator. DanceWize Coordinator Position Description Harm Reduction Victoria DanceWize Program Coordinator Hours per Week: 30.4 (.8 EFT) Award Classification: SCHADS Award 2010: Social & Community Services Level 5 (dependent on experience) Position Objective: The DanceWize Coordinator leads operational activities of HRVic’s DanceWize (DW) Program, coordinating DW casual staff and volunteers to increase peer advice and referral at key dance/festival events, with the aim of reducing the incidence and impact of drug-related harms at events in Victoria. This includes coordinating a DanceWize drop-in care space at events and the delivery of harm reduction resources and messages to people who use drugs. This role may require the observation of drug-affected peers and appropriate referrals to first aid or emergency services as required. The DanceWize Coordinator will also be responsible for maintaining a range of event stakeholder relationships including with emergency services personnel, managing program budgets and inventory, setting cultural and professional expectations for staff and volunteers, contributing to policy work and campaigns relevant to music events, and leading the strategic development of the DanceWize Program. - To work with the CEO, Organisational Services team, and Finance Officer on timely program budget maintenance, including prompt reconciliation of expenditures. - To contribute to setting priorities for the program, within budget constraints based on funding, in collaboration with the CEO, Organisational Services, and the Finance Officer - Coordinate the safe use of the work vehicle - Coordinate the monitoring of DanceWize inventory Key accountabilities Operational and Event Activity Program Management Team Management / Volunteer oversight To develop DanceWize Operational Plan components for service delivery at events, in collaboration with other DW staff, including rosters and pre-event preparation. - To liaise with external staff involved in the promotion and production of events such as venue staff, security, promoters, emergency management stakeholders and permit issuers and report as needed to the HRVic CEO. - In collaboration with DW staff, develop and maintain mechanisms to evaluate and document the service delivery operations of the program to meet all data collection and reporting requirements, including reporting to funders and stakeholders - To coordinate and manage the DanceWize Team, in consultation with other DW staff - Coordinate a team of volunteer KPEs and collaborate with other DW staff - Ensure ongoing recruitment, training and ongoing support of DanceWize volunteers -Provision and recording of professional development for volunteers - Plan fortnightly meetings for DanceWize volunteers and co-facilitating /co- convening with other DW staff and guest trainers Team Duties Key Relationships - To be an active and contributing member of the HRVic team, fostering a healthy, collaborative and productive working environment. - Maintain a high level of professionalism in the conduct of all work-related duties. - Attend and contribute to HRVic team meetings, and other relevant meetings, as required. - Participate in professional development and training, sharing relevant insights and developments with team members. - Participate in operation of NSP - Other reasonable duties as directed by the CEO. Internal - Chief Executive Officer - Organisational Services Coordinator - DanceWize staff - DanceWize Volunteer Team External - Dance event promoters, communications personnel and contractors eg. health providers, security staff etc - Health providers and other health professionals - Emergency health services - Victoria Police - Researchers Key Selection Criteria Essential - An intimate knowledge and understanding of the health, social and legal iss ues that affect people who are part of the dance party scene. This must include a sophisticated understanding of the pharmacology of drugs commonly used within the community, the social and cultural contexts in which these substances are used and the factors that can contribute to increased risk of harms. - The capacity to work closely and to interact effectively with people in the dance party industry and with local and State government representatives, police and emergency and other health service providers. - Demonstrated experience managing and leading volunteers. - Excellent written communication skills, including demonstrated experience producing project/activity reports and contributing to funding submissions. - Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines in a demanding work environment. - Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain strong partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders including government and community health organisations, event promoters, venue staff and researchers. - Enthusiasm, confidence and the ability to work autonomously, as part of a diverse team and in the supervision of co-workers and volunteers. - The capacity and willingness to, on occasion, be on call at dance music parties and events for up to four consecutive days/nights. - Competent computer skills, including a functional knowledge of Word and Excel as well as common internet and email applications. - A current legal entitlement to drive a car in Victoria. - A significant, personalised experience of the issues affecting people who use illicit drugs - Formal or informal experience in harm reduction-oriented peer education. - A work and/or volunteering history that clearly attests to the candidate’s reliability, honesty and the capacity to adhere to policy guidelines and work-place procedures. - Working With Children Check Desirable -Experience working with DanceWize or other festival / event peer harm reduction services - Formal qualifications and/or demonstrated professional or volunteer experience in community development, health promotion or similar disciplines. Position Description .PDF Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment and interview. We welcome expressions of interest from individuals who reflect the diversity of our community. Harm Reduction Victoria is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting inclusivity and preventing discrimination. If you have any questions or require further information about this opportunity, please contact Sione Crawford at admin@hrvic.org.au We look forward to receiving your expression of interest. Please note that the role is currently being filled on a fixed-term basis and that there may be internal applicants. Join The Team

BUPERENORPHINE NALOXONE Suboxone Suboxone is the more widely used of the two formulations of buprenorphine available to opiate pharmacotherapy consumers in Victoria. Subutex is the other. Buprenorphine is increasingly popular as an alternative to methadone. Suboxone contains a 4:1 ratio of buprenorphine/naloxone . Naloxone, an opiate antagonist, reverses the effects of opiates. Under the brand name Narcan, it is used intravenously to assist overdose victims, and is only present in Suboxone as a deterrent to injection (see below). When Suboxone is taken sub-lingually (beneath the tongue), the naloxone has no pharmacological effect. Only 1-4% of the naloxone is absorbed by the system, and after an hour this small amount has left the system. Film & Tablets: Suboxone is available in in 2mg and 8mg strengths, coming in two forms: a sub-lingual tablet and, more recently, a sub-lingual film (similar to a Listerine strip). Both are placed beneath the tongue, where they are absorbed directly into the blood-stream through the mucous membrane. (In the case of the film, the inside of the cheek may also be used.) The effects of the tablets and the film are effectively identical, though trials of film showed a slightly higher bioavailability (i.e. just a little more reaches the system.) NB: The tablet form of Suboxone will not be available in Victoria after 31 Aug 2013. Basic Pharmacology of Buprenorphine Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. It binds strongly to the same receptors as other opiates, but stimulates them only weakly, producing very little of an opiate effect. Once the buprenorphine molecule is locked onto the receptor, it remains there much longer than other opiates like heroin and methadone. If such drugs are taken while on buprenorphine, their effects will be much reduced. Buprenorphine’s affinity for the receptor is powerful enough to displace opiates like heroin and methadone. For this reason, the initial dose of buprenorphine should be low (i.e. < 8mg) and, ideally, the client should be in the first stages of opioid withdrawal. If a dependent client takes a large dose of buprenorphine after recent use of heroin – or before the onset of withdrawal – the buprenorphine can precipitate immediate and full withdrawal. This is an extremely unpleasant, uncomfortable experience to be avoided at all cost. The Ceiling Effect An interesting feature of buprenorphine is its ceiling effect. Up to a certain point, the more buprenorphine that is taken, the greater the opiate effect. Past that point, increasing the dose only results in a longer duration of action and no increased opiate effect. This means that some people can have their daily dose increased (usually doubled) and the dose will last for two days instead of one. This can be very useful for those who have difficulty reaching their dosing points, and can remove the need for take aways during the first month of treatment. NB: Suboxone take aways are not available in these two day doses, i.e. if you are on 8mg, and receive 16mg to take away, it counts as two take-aways, not one. Though scientific evidence is scant, this ceiling effect presumably varies with the individual. The maximum allowable dose of buprenorphine is 32mg. If Suboxone is taken as recommended, the naloxone should have no effect. Any small amount that is absorbed will leave the body within one hour of dosing. Injecting Suboxone If Suboxone is injected, the naloxone and buprenorphine will compete to occupy the receptors, causing an uncomfortable delay before any effects are felt. The buprenorphine will eventually displace the naloxone, but up to twenty minutes may pass before this occurs. If another opiate, like heroin or oxycodone, is present in the system when injecting Suboxone, precipitated withdrawal will result, as the opiate will be rapidly displaced by both the buprenorphine and naloxone. Injecting Suboxone carries serious health risks and is not recommended. If the medication is removed from the mouth prior to injection, these risks are compounded. For more information about the harms associated with injecting Suboxone, please contact PAMS. Take Away Doses of Buprenorphine-Naloxone (Suboxone) The number of take away doses available for those taking Suboxone depends on their stability and how long they have been on the program. For the first two weeks of treatment, clients must attend each day for their dose. After this, if the client is considered stable, some take-away doses may be prescribed, see below for further details: After two weeks of continuous treatment and considered stable (on the correct dose and not missing doses) – eligible for up to 2 take away doses per week After two months of continuous treatment and considered stable (on the correct dose and not missing doses) – eligible for up to 5 take away doses per week After six months of continuous treatment and considered stable (on the correct dose and not missing doses) – eligible for up to 6 take away doses per week Minimal Supervision Regime The Minimal Supervision Regime or MSR is an additional category of of take away doses available to people who have been receiving Suboxone for a considerable period of time, and who have been assessed as very stable by their doctor. Under the MSR consumers may receive up to a 28 day supply of Suboxone at any one time. This type of supply can be dispensed like any other medication in a single, labelled container. To access the MSR a client must arrange to have their GP consult with an Addiction Medicine Specialist (AMS). If satisfied that the client is stable, the specialist will then sign off on a separate, dedicated permit. It may also be neccessary for the client to have a one-off consultation with the AMS.

Subutex is the less widely used of two buprenorphine formulations available to opiate pharmacotherapy consumers in Victoria, (Suboxone being the other). Subutex is a mono-formulation of buprenorphine available in 0.4, 2 & 8mg sub-lingual tablets. It was the first buprenorphine product to become available in Victoria, but has been largely superseded by Suboxone (a buprenorphine/naloxone formulation.) The presence of the opiate antagonist naloxone in Suboxone makes it less attractive than Subutex to clients who may wish to divert their dose with intention of injecting it. Because of the harms associated with this practice, doctors are less willing to prescribe Subutex and take away doses are only available in a handful of circumstances. Subutex tablets are placed beneath the tongue, where they are absorbed directly into the blood-stream through the mucous membrane. Clients on low doses sometimes find Subutex preferable because the 0.4mg tablet can allow for more accurate dosing. Basic Pharmacology of Buprenorphine Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. It binds strongly to the same receptors as other opiates, but stimulates them only weakly, producing very little of an opiate effect. Once the buprenorphine molecule is locked onto the receptor, it remains there much longer than other opiates like heroin and methadone. If such drugs are taken while on buprenorphine, their effects will be much reduced. Buprenorphine’s affinity for the receptor is powerful enough to displace opiates like heroin and methadone. For this reason, the initial dose of buprenorphine should be low (i.e. < 8mg) and, ideally, the client should be in the first stages of opioid withdrawal. If a dependent client takes a large dose of buprenorphine after recent use of heroin – or before the onset of withdrawal – the buprenorphine can precipitate immediate and full withdrawal. This is an extremely unpleasant, uncomfortable experience to be avoided at all cost. The Ceiling Effect An interesting feature of buprenorphine is its ceiling effect. Up to a certain point, the more buprenorphine that is taken, the greater the opiate effect. Past that point, increasing the dose only results in a longer duration of action and no increased opiate effect. This means that some people can have their daily dose increased (usually doubled) and the dose will last for two days instead of one. This can be very useful for those who have difficulty reaching their dosing points, and can remove the need for take aways during the first month of treatment. Though scientific evidence is scant, this ceiling effect presumably varies with the individual. The maximum allowable dose of buprenorphine is 32mg. Injecting Subutex If another opiate – like heroin, methadone or oxycodone – is present in the system when Subutex is injected, precipitated withdrawal may result, as the opioid will be rapidly displaced from opiate receptors by the buprenorphine. Injecting Subutex carries serious health risks and is not recommended. If the medication is removed from the mouth prior to injection, these risks are compounded. For more information about the harms associated with injecting Subutex, please contact PAMS. Take Away Doses of Subutex There are no routine take away doses of Subutex, unless the consumer is: Pregnant and/or breast-feeding Has a documented allergy to the naloxone (present in Suboxone). Is on a dose of <2mg (this because a 0.4mg tablet of buprenorphine is available, but not in the combined buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone) formulation. If a person meets any of the above criteria, take away doses may be provided if the prescriber assesses the client as being stable and there are no other issues of concern. If you have any questions or want to discuss your individual situation, please contact PAMS PH: 1800 443 844.

GP & Prescriber LINKS and Forms POLICIES & APPLICATIONS The Department of Health and Human Services has provided a number of additional resources to complement the revised policy. Pharmacotherapy providers are encouraged to use these resources when prescribing or dispensing to people on opioid replacement therapy. All are available from the Downloads section on the Health.Vic website . Some resources are also available in a number of community languages* Pharmacotherapy Policy 2016 Policy for Issuing Schedule 8 Permits Application for Approval as a Prescriber of Pharmacotherapy Notification Of A Drug Dependent Person NATIONAL CLINICAL GUIDELINES (To be used in conjunction with Victorian Policy) NCG for Methadone NCG for Buprenorphine NCG for Use for Naltrexone

This project is integral to building a strong and resilient living experience workforce and discipline and aligning the sector to better understand peer engagement and in turn offer the best possible service delivery to benefit the health and wellbeing of all PWUD PWUD accessing services fuse initiatives Harm Reduction Victoria (HRVic) and the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU) have worked in partnership to support Harm Reduction Peer Workers (HRPW’s) working in mainstream harm reduction services for the last 4 years. We have been able to build on this network and increase the regularity, length, depth and frequency of meetings and support interventions. The partnership will continue to support, mentor, and build on the skills of HRPW’s funded through Reducing Harmful Drug Use Through Peer-led Network (RHDUPLN). We have secured funding to build this living experience workforce and have now become Fuse Initiatives, which includes the very important Fuse Networks (the Victorian living experience community of practice) that offers peer to peer support for this workforce. Fuse Initiatives incorporates greater “meaningful involvement of people who use drugs” and “Nothing about us without us” as core principles and practices, in the development of Fuse Initiatives. This project is integral to building a strong and resilient living experience workforce and discipline and aligning the sector to better understand peer engagement and in turn offer the best possible service delivery to benefit the health and wellbeing of all PWUD accessing services Read Fuse Strategy READ HRPW WHACK 48 Issue Harm Reduction Living and Lived Experience Workforce Discipline Framework Created by Harm Reduction Victoria (HRVic), in collaboration with the Victorian Department of Health and the organisations of the Lived and Living Experience Development Project Read HRPW Framework Definitions Victoria has fantastic peer workforces with a range of goals and communities and experiences. We all utilize our experiences to work with our communities. These are some definitions of the specific workforce that Fuse is supporting: • Harm Reduction Peer Worker- someone who is in a defined peer role that brings living experience to their role. They are affected by similar issues – ie. health issues, such as overdose or blood borne virus transmission - as the community they work with and support • Living Experience -Is someone who is accepted by the community of people who use drugs (PWUD) as being part of that community. Their experience of issues related to illicit drug use is current. • PWUD – People who use and or inject drugs. The Primary Aims Provide a support function for HRPW’s through Fuse Networks ( the Victorian living experience community of practice ) Coordinate, convene and co-chair the Fuse Initiatives Advisory Group (FIAG) . FIAG has been developed and will help HRVIC and APSU engage with the funders, PLN stakeholders and HRPWs and encourage transparent information flow between all the key stakeholders Coordinate a Harm Reduction Peer Workforce strategic approach across Victoria Engage with all stakeholders, and enhance their understanding of the principle of meaningful involvement of people who use drugs, and ensure that it is a practice at the centre any work being delivered and asked of the living experience workforce and the programs they work in Key Focus Areas Of Fuse Initiatives Fuse Networks Offer support, mentoring, peer supervision to all HRPWs working in designated roles in AOD and Harm Reduction Affirm that support strategies meet the needs of the HRPWs, use yearly HRPW consultation outcomes to inform our strategies Develop support & supervision frameworks to outline pathways between support intervention to One-on-One peer supervision Develop confidential, non – identifiable means for capturing themes for support interventions Offer support to workers with living experience in non-designated roles, where possible and appropriate Fuse Training • Provide workforce development opportunities • Provide training opportunities for all HRPW’s via different platforms and meet individual skill development needs • Undertake ongoing training needs analysis development through consultation and feedback from HRPWs Fuse Development • Develop organisational readiness training, audits, and stigma and discrimination training for all staff that may work with HRPW’s with a living experience lens • Sector development and training to support a greater understanding of the benefits of the living experience peer workforce • Develop strategic framework to guide the strengthening of the living experience workforce in Victoria Harm Reduction Peer Workers are people with lived or living experience of drug use & overdose risk who are employed in harm reduction roles which promote the health & well being of people who use drugs. Key reflections • HRPW’s have access to community members that do not access mainstream health services, through connections that workers with living experience can best access • HRPW’s are a value add to the services they work in, and can act as a bridge between the service and their service users for better health outcomes • Having a network of HRPWs coming together monthly has been beneficial for all HRPWs, increased regularity and duration has been well received (Key reflections current and from HRPW Consultation, 2020)

WHACK magazine is HRVic's flagship publication. 37 Issues and 30 years deep, made by drug users for drug users. GET IT AT YOUR LOCAL DRUG USER FRIENDLY SERVICE, NSP OR CLINIC OR COME GET IT FROM THE HRVIC OFFICE! WHACK Magazine is HRVic’s FREE educational and informational community zine. A zine written for and designed BY people who use drugs FOR people who use drugs. WHACK is not for public consumption or sale. WHACK Magazine WHACK is an integral part of Victoria's community of people who use drugs. Our mission to advance the health and human rights of people who use drugs by sharing information, supporting and empowering each other. Currently WHACK magazine comes out, IN PRINT ONLY, EVERY QUARTER - Spring, Summer, Autumn and WInter. Due to increases in printing and postage prices and staff workloads, HRVic does it's best to keep to this timeline but can occasionally be held up. Please be patient when ordering more WHACKs for distribution and consider our back catalogue if you've run out. By providing our community with a free platform to be able to express our thoughts and feelings and that delivers factual, relevant information about issues that directly relate to our lives including up to date information about substances, and reducing the harms associated with drug use – in particular reducing the risk of HIV, hep C and hep B. Due to the diverse & marginalised nature of our community, we do our best to present the info in such a way as to have wide appeal & lasting impact & to represent the different perspectives of a wide range of contributors – from peers to researchers to carers and allies to workers and back to peers.. The information takes on an array of forms- from the informative to the ridiculous – and everything in between. We are constantly on the search for new ways to share our harm reduction messaging and to extend the reach of that message- all while staying true to our roots. HOW TO SUBMIT TO WHACK Send images or stories to samj@hrvic.org.au Back Issues - Late 1980's to TODAY! We are 50 magazines deep! The library of FREE community made magazines you see before you represents the vast body of work that HRVic’s dedicated community have created over the last 30 years plus! Back issues of the magazine are available to read in person in our library in HRVic's Community room at 299-305 Victoria St Brunswick Vic. We can provide you with a pdf of stories if you know what you are after. WHACK magazine is NOT for PUBLIC CONSUMPTION OR FOR SALE.

HRVic's Mission Statement, Guiding Principles, Strategic Plan. Who is Harm Reduction Victoria? Who does it represent? What is Harm Reduction and WHY do we need WHO IS HARM REDUCTION VICTORIA? Harm Reduction Victoria (HRVic) is a not-for-profit, community organisation for people who use drugs. HRVic does not condemn nor condone the use of drugs. HRVic merely recognises that drug use happens and as such, aims to reduce any possible harms associated with that drug use. HRVic's health promotion focus is guided by the belief that any drug-related harm should be treated as a health issue and not a criminal issue. Our aim is to advance the health and well-being of people who use drugs by creating an environment in which individuals are empowered to realise their aspirations, meet their needs and participate fully in society. Our membership, staff and supporters include current and former people who use drugs, their allies and their support networks and people who support the values and objectives of Harm Reduction Victoria. We prioritise the issues and concerns of people who use drugs in all that we do within a community development framework. The philosophy of harm reduction and advancing the health and human rights of people who use drugs guides all of HRVic’s work. HRVic’s interventions are individually and collectively targeted, in order to promote a culture of safer drug use. OUR HISTORY In 1987, in the face of a growing HIV epidemic, a group of drug users, supported by their friends, families and allies established VIVAIDS- now called Harm Reduction Victoria- as an independent, living and lived experience-driven, community based organisation. Now funded primarily by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, HRVic provides peer driven and designed education and resources, practical support, information and advocacy to current and past users of illicit substances, their supporters and the services who work with them. HRVic has often led the way in developing innovative approaches to peer education and community development, and has contributed to Australia having one of the lowest HIV rates among injecting drug users in the world. OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES Community Ownership and Accountability: Harm Reduction Victoria is of and for our community. Through active engagement with our membership and constituent communities, Harm Reduction Victoria aims to identify and serve the needs of drug users in Victoria. We encourage a broad-based sense of ownership and involvement in all aspects of HRV’s operations. Inclusivity: Harm Reduction Victoria respects and represents all people who use drugs in Victoria, regardless of gender, sexuality, age, disability or ethnic group. We prioritise those at greatest risk of drug related harm and in particular people who inject drugs, due to the risk of blood borne virus transmission. “Nothing about us without us”: Harm Reduction Victoria asserts the right of people who use drugs to have a voice in decisions which directly affect our lives and to be involved in the response to drug use and associated harms in Victoria including drug related policies and programs. http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/reports/nothing-about-us-without-us Human Rights: Harm Reduction Victoria rejects all forms of arbitrary discrimination against people who use drugs. We believe that the stigma associated with drug use undermines human dignity and self-efficacy, and creates barriers to participation in the social, cultural and economic life of the community. We work towards the elimination of these destructive attitudes. Health Promotion: Harm Reduction Victoria is a health promotion organisation. We are guided by a belief that drug related harm should be treated as a health issue and not a criminal issue. Our aim is to advance the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs by creating an environment in which individuals are empowered to realise their aspirations, meet their needs and participate fully in society. Partnerships and Collaboration: In order to respond more effectively to the needs of people who use drugs, Harm Reduction Victoria is committed to pursuing partnerships and strategic alliances with other community sector organisations built on shared goals and trust. Excellence: Harm Reduction Victoria strives to be a model employer, to be accountable to our members and constituent communities for all of our actions, and to achieve optimal outcomes at all times. For more comprehensive information, view the Harm Reduction Victoria Strategic Plan here. OUR VISION A world where all people are treated the same & have the same opportunities regardless of their drug of choice. OUR MISSION To work to advance the health, dignity and social justice of Victorians who use drugs. OUR ROLE T o authentically represent the voices of and for Victorians who use drugs. HRVic is the state member (Victoria's representative) of the national network of drug user organisations, which is headed up by AIVL, our national peak body. OUR AIM Our aim is to educate, inform, support and advocate on behalf of all Victorians who use drugs, their friends & their allies. HRVic seeks to improve the way people who use drugs are treated in the broader community as well as by the medical community & government services. The philosophy of advancing the health & human rights of people who use drugs guides all of our work. HRVic’s interventions are individually & collectively targeted, in order to promote a culture of safer drug use. OUR TEAM If the membership are the legs that carry the org, the board of directors - the brains of HRVic, then the 15 permanent staff and over 150+ volunteers, are definitely the heart of the organisation. From a variety of backgrounds, qualifications and experience, the HRVic team is made up of current and former people who use drugs giving HRVic the advantage in drug related health promotion and a truely unique peer-spective. OUR PROGRAMS

Button Around 170,000 Australians are living with chronic hepatitis C infection. Many Australians do not know they are infected, or that they could be cured. These people are at risk of developing liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Some people will require liver transplants, and many will not survive. They are also at risk of transmitting the virus onto others. The consequences of hepatitis C in Australia are far-reaching, but they don't need to be. Hepatitis C is treatable and curable. It's therefore essential that we test and treat as many at-risk people as we can. It's simple and cheap to be tested, and curative treatments are now listed on Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). HRVic is committed to working with the rest of Australia towards the World Health Organisation's goal of eliminating hepatitis C by 2030. HRVic have joined forces with the Burnet Institute and EC Australia. We have developed an approach that involves peer specialists working at strategic clinical services to assist our community to navigate and overcome the barriers to treatment and to access services. Introducing the PATH program- Peer Assisted Treatment for Hepatitis. and now the PATH-Ex program- an extension of the PATH program. The aim of PATH-Ex is to ensure that People Who Use Drugs are empowered, informed and supplied with the tools needed to access information, testing and treatment for hep C. We seek to take advantage of the unique empathy and support that comes only from the peer-to-peer relationship to encourage engagement with health services and ongoing support to jump through the hoops that life can put in our way when undertaking any longer term treatment course. You can read more about these principles here . Our PATH workers are outposted in St Kilda, the city and Footscray and the west. During COVID lockdown they are only able to undertake outreach, but as the lockdown end we are hoping to be back to more hours at Access Health, Living Room and cohealth West.

West and South West The West & South West areas covers Williamstown to Wyndham Vale and Eynesbury to Caroline Springs back to Footscray. This list consists of the clinic names and their locations. If you click on their address you will open the google maps page for that location. To book at any of these locations, you will still need to call 1800 675 398 or through the online booking system (you need an email address to sign up) unless it states otherwise. Melbourne Showgrounds 04 Boulevard Pavilion Opening Hours: 8:00am – 5:30pm seven days a week due to high demands. Sunshine Hospital Sunshine Hospital Vaccination Hub St Albans, Vic. Capacity : up to 60 cubicles Purpose-built semi-permanent facility constructed in the ground floor of the site’s multi-deck car park. VU Whitten Oval (pop-up vaccination hub) The VU Whitten Oval COVID-19 Vaccination Hub only runs on certain days. Check the website for details and dates of operation. This site will be offering Pfizer only. Caroline Springs Leisure Centre Located at 9-19 The Parade Caroline Springs Bookings accepted, check the online booking system or call 1800 675 398 for availability. Walk ins are accepted at this vaccination centre for Pfizer and AstraZeneca. The Melton Vaccination Hub Located at 149 Barries Rd Melton West. This Hub has two vaccination services – a drive through service and a sit down vaccination centre. The drive through service is the first of its kind in Australia. Click here or on the following image to view a short video about this service. Chemist Warehouse Braybrook Home Co Tenancy 3A & 3B 340-342 Ballarat Road Burke & Butler Streets BRAYBROOK Phone: +61385271774 Bookings must be made online. Book HERE. IPC Health Vaccination Hub Caroline Springs Leisure Centre 9-19 The Parade, Caroline Springs Open Monday to Friday 10am-6pm and Saturdays 9am-6pm. Open public holidays Cohealth Centre Laverton 95-105 Railway Avenue, Laverton Open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm Call 9448 5552 Werribee St Vincent’s Private Hospital The Werribee COVID-19 Vaccination Hub is located at St Vincent’s Private Hospital, 240 Hoppers Lane, Werribee. The entrance and parking is available at the rear of the hospital. Wyndham Eagle Stadium Located at 35 Ballan Road, Werribee. This Hub has two vaccination services – a drive thru service and a sit down vaccination centre. Priceline Pharmacy Sunshine Marketplace Shop 45, Sunshine Marketplace S/C 80 Harvester Road SUNSHINE Open 09:00 to 17:30 +61393647133 Bookings must be made online. Book HERE. FIND A PHARMACY WEST & SOUTH WEST

5toLife- Respond to Opioid Overdose with naloxone. PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION 5 T o Life Steps continued from HRVic opioid reversal kit instruction sheet REVERSE OPIOID OVERDOSE How To Videos: Ampoules- Injectable Nyxoid- Nasal Spray Prenoxad- Injectable 5 to Life: Naloxone Instructions AMPOULES-Naloxone Instructions FAQs Frequently Asked Questions ABOUT NALOXONE THE PRODUCT: What is naloxone? Naloxone is a TGA approved medicine thats ONLY use is to quickly (but temporarily) reverse an opioid overdose. What else is naloxone used for? Naloxone, also known as it's brand names Narcan, Nyxoid or Prenoxad, can be administered as a nasal spray or by injection. It quickly but temporarily reverses an OPIOID overdose only. Examples of opioids are heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine and nitazenes. It will not work on ove rdoses from cocaine, methamphetamine, or other non-opioid drugs. page under construction......