Harm Reduction Victoria Privacy & Confidentiality Policy Statement Harm Reduction Victoria is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of service users, participants, team members and stakeholders in the way information is collected, stored and used. This policy provides guidance on Harm Reduction Victoria’s legal obligations and ethical expectations in relation to privacy and confidentiality. Harm Reduction Victoria will only collect personal information that is necessary to support its service users, provide service delivery and evaluate services provided by the organisation. Harm Reduction Victoria will only collect information through ‘lawful and fair means’ – that is, not through criminal or illegal activity, trickery or deception. Harm Reduction Victoria will endeavor to only collect information directly from the person it belongs to after obtaining consent from that person. If Harm Reduction Victoria is unable to collect information directly from the person it belongs to or obtain their consent but considers the information to be critical in providing health services to that person or other individuals, Harm Reduction Victoria will follow the IPP, APP and HPP guidelines around the collection, notification, storage, use and disclosure of the information. Harm Reduction Victoria strives to respect the confidentiality of any information pertaining to service users and any other individual who may engage with the organisation. However, in the spirit of partnership, Harm Reduction Victoria may share information with other organisations, involved individuals and services users when it is in the best interest of the service user or individual to do so. This best interest should be decided in partnership with the service user, and a standard health information sharing agreement should be used with the individual when we are operating on their behalf and sharing information with others. In the event of collecting or sharing information about individuals or organisations, Harm Reduction Victoria will take all reasonable steps to ensure it is abiding by relevant legislation, including but not limited to those listed in the legislation, clinical guidelines or other requirements. Reasonable steps to establish policies, procedures and work processes may include but are not limited to: Consult with Harm Reduction Victoria’s lawyers, specifically the Privacy and Data Security team For personal information, consult with the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner and/or Office of the Australian Information Commissioner For health information, consult with the Health Complaints Commissioner and/or the Department of Health Privacy Team Complete a Privacy Impact Assessment Enter into an agreement with the individual or organisation that HRVic will be collecting or sharing information. Harm Reduction Victoria is committed to ensuring that information is used in an ethical and responsible manner. Harm Reduction Victoria recognises the need to be consistent, cautious and thorough in the way that information about service users, participants, stakeholders and team members is recorded, stored and managed. All individuals including service users, participants, stakeholders, staff and volunteers have legislated rights to privacy of personal information. In circumstances where the right to privacy may be overridden by other considerations (for example, child protection concerns or public health and safety), staff will act in accordance with the relevant policy and/or legal framework. All team members are to have an appropriate level of understanding about how to meet the organisation’s legal and ethical obligations to ensure privacy and confidentiality. Harm Reduction Victoria strives to provide quality services in which information is collected, stored, used and disclosed in an appropriate manner complying with both legislative requirements and ethical obligations. Harm Reduction Victoria will work to ensure all staff understand their privacy and confidentiality responsibilities in relation to personal information and organisational information about Harm Reduction Victoria, its service users, participants, team members and stakeholders. This understanding should be demonstrated in all work practices. Please contact admin@hrvic.org.au or call (03) 9329 1500 for more information.

By understanding the experiences of people who inject drugs, HRVic can better advocate and educate health providers and governments on the needs of our community-people who inject drugs.. Stories of Stigma & Discrimination Stories of Stigma and Discrimination is a participatory filmmaking project delivered by filmmaker and communications specialist Conor Ashleigh for Harm Reduction Victoria (HRVic). The initial concept for the project emerged when Harm Reduction Victoria identified the need to understand the experiences of stigma and discrimination among people who inject drugs when accessing health care. By understanding the experiences of people who inject drugs, HRVic can better advocate and educate health providers and governments on the needs of our community-people who inject drugs.. The Films 01. My Veins Are My Domain A phobia of needles isn’t the only reason someone would avoid having their blood taken. Find out about negative impacts that just one bad health experrience can have on the life of a person who injects drugs. Video 1 looks at this issue in detail. 02. Refused Hep C Treatment Imagine being refused treatment just because of the way you look,or because the GP thinks you need something other than what you came to see them for? This is a regular occurance for many people who use drugs. Video 2 looks at this issue in detail. 03. This Town Is Too Small Imagine having to put your life into the hands of someone that you don’t trust? Scary thought isn’t it? This can be an issue for people who inject drugs that is often made worse for people living in regional areas. Video 3 looks at this issue in detail. 04. Not Enough Time Everyone seems to be in a hurry these days including GPs. Getting an appointment only to discover that there’s not enough time to talk about everything you wanted to is frustrating (for both parties) there’s no harm in asking for a longer appointment when you book in. Video 4 highlights this issue. 05. My Daily Serve Being on pharmacotherapy requires you to attend your pharmacy on a regular basis. That doesn’t sound like a big deal but actually doing it proves difficult for a lot of us. Whether once, twice a week or every day, it’s a task that a lot of people end up resenting.Video 5 in this series focusses on these reasons. 01 My Veins Are My Domain Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Stigma and Discrimination Play Video Play Video 01 My Veins Are My Domain Play Video Play Video 02 Refused hep C Treatment Play Video Play Video 03 This Town Is Too Small Play Video Play Video 04 'Not Enough Time'- The HRVic Stigma Project Series Play Video Play Video 05 My Daily Serve Videos Menu WHO CAN USE THIS TRAINING PACKAGE? Training Packages Include: 5 Films, Facilitator Guide & Custom Session by HRVic DOCTORS INCLUDING GPS, ED’S AND SPECIALISTS OTHER HEALTH CARE WORKERS I.E. NURSES, PHARMACISTS, PATHOLOGISTS ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG (AOD) WORKERS If you or your service would like to find out more about the HRVic Stigma Project - Training Package complete the attached form and we will get back to you with more information First Name Company Position Email Type your message here... Submit Thanks for submitting! Behind The Scenes The Stigma Project- Behind The Scenes Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied

CHANGING LANES Deciding to go onto pharmacotherapy- whether it's methadone, suboxone or the new long acting buprenorphine injection- is no small decision. Our PAMS program has put this series of 4 videos together- covering every aspect of pharmacotherapy- from the real voices of real pharmacotherapy consumers to you to assist you in making that decision. Changing Lanes Changing Lanes Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Search videos Search video... Now Playing 20211015 720p INHSU Comm Rapporteur 08:07 Play Video Now Playing E01 Deciding To Go On Treatment 04:59 Play Video Now Playing E02 Accessing Treatment 05:31 Play Video

NEW APRIL 7, 2020 COVID19 RESPONSE: Pharmacotherapy Services- Information for prescribers and dispensers. The links below are for advice and clinical guidance related to working in the Medically Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence (MATOD) sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advice moderates existing MATOD policy for prescribers and dispensers in relation to: Takeaway doses Third party collection Suboxone prescribing caps. This information is intended to provide guidance and support for increased flexibility in clinical treatment during this time. This advice was developed by alcohol and other drug experts and the Department of Health and Human Services, and will be supported by ongoing work by the department to identify optimal pathways for vulnerable clients, including pharmacotherapy patients. Please see the Victorian COVID-19 website for current case definition, guidance and testing recommendations. If you have any questions in relation to this information, please make contact with your local Pharmacotherapy Area Based Network in the first instance. Alternatively you may submit questions to aod.enquiries@dhhs.vic.gov.au. COVID19 UPDATES Third Party Dose Pick up Includes patient agreement form COVID19 Take Away Guidelines Includes take away review assessment Click on links for PDF Some Helpful Tips for People on Pharmacotherapy - Methadone and Buprenorphine (Suboxone and Subutex) : Prescriber Pharmacist 1. DON'T PANIC. 2. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A VALID & UP-TO-DATE PRESRIPTION(S) for ALL YOUR MEDICATIONS. If you have a scheduled appointment with your doctor, please do not miss it* Check if this appointment is face to face or via Telehealth. If you are unwell or in self-isolation, call your medical clinic and follow their advice . *Prescribers are in overly high demand and it will be hard to book another appointment. 3. ASK YOUR PRESCRIBER (ie. doctor) FOR A LONGER PRESCRIPTION. (pharmacotherapy scripts can be written for up to 6 months at a time) How will it help? This will mean you don't have to go to the clinic for a longer period of time = Less mixing with others and reduced risk to all BUT there may well be follow-ups during this period via Telehealth 4. ASK YOUR PRESCRIBER FOR AS MANY TAKE-AWAY DOSES AS POSSIBLE. Ask your prescriber to give you as many take-away doses, (TADs) as they feel comfortable with. See new interim COVID-19 take away policy How will it help? More take aways will mean less visits to the pharmacy, less mixing with other people, a reduced need to leave your house etc. If your prescriber is happy to give you more than 4 TADs p/w (methadone) or more than 6 TADs p/w (Suboxone) please make sure your prescriber speaks with your dosing pharmacy so you don't have problems picking them up. 5. DO NOT MISS DOSES! If you miss 4 doses in a row of either methadone or buprenorphine (Suboxone/Subutex), your pharmacy cannot dose you. If your prescriber is not available, it might be very hard to find another one, especially in time to prevent opioid withdrawal symptoms. 6. ASK YOUR PHARMACIST WHAT THEIR PLAN IS FOR DOSING PEOPLE IF THEY MUST CLOSE FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME DURING THIS COVID19 PANDEMIC. Pharmacies have all been asked to put a plan in place in case they need to close and to ensure continuity of dosing for pharmacotherapy patients 6. GIVE YOUR PHARMACY YOUR UP-TO-DATE CONTACT DETAILS AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THEIRS. ie. PHONE NUMBER, ADDRESS ETC and also that your pharmacist has a colour photograph of you on file. How does this help? I t’s a good idea to store the pharmacy phone number in your phone contact list so you will know if they try to contact you. If the computer goes down due to network overuse, theyll have a photo of you to dose you manually. 7. ASK THE PHARMACY IF THE DOSING HOURS HAVE CHANGED. (e.g. many pharmacies are closing earlier due to the additional amount of work they are doing to keep things clean. 8. IF (for any reason) YOU ARE IN 'SELF ISOLATION' AND YOU NEED TO GO TO THE PHARMACY TO PICK UP YOUR DOSE, MAKE SURE YOU: call the pharmacist to let them know you are in self isolation but need to pick up your dose understand that you may need to organise a specific time to dose or pick up take aways wear a face mask to protect others, (just in case you are contagious- you may have the virus and feel fine but it may KILL someone else who is more vulnerable) Call the COVID19 Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 389 for additional information INFO ON METHADONE take-away dose (TAD) BOTTLES Ideally a new bottle should be given to each person for each dose, but bottles can be costly-to the environment and financially!- If you ARE permitted to RE-USE YOUR OWN TAD bottle/s - KEEP THEM CLEAN. TAD bottles should be washed out with warm soapy water, thoroughly rinsed and left to air-dry. TAD bottles should only be brought back to the pharmacy on the day you need your TAD. Do not use your TAD bottles for anything other than methadone. Before you take your dose, pour the methadone into a glass and drink it straight away. This will help to keep the bottle clean from saliva and germs. Storage of TADs (methadone and buprenorphine) Methadone TADs should be kept in a safe or a locked cabinet, (e.g. bedside table, filing cabinet, desk drawer etc), well out of the way of children or others. Methadone does not need to be kept refrigerated unless it is diluted with cordial, (pharmacists are advised to use water only to dilute TAD doses but some still use cordial- ask for no cordial-they will last longer in more conditions. Next Steps The PAMS Service, the Victorian methadone/buprenorphine prescribers and pharmacists and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, (DHHS) are all working hard to ensure everyone on the program will continue to get their doses through this pandemic. As soon as we know more, we will let you know via this website. Other Online Resources and Information: Additional information can be found at the Victorian DHHS and the Department of Health and Ageing websites. There is an over supply of information out there- both correct and incorrect. DO YOUR RESEARCH and again- DON'T PANIC. Follow these links: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cdna-song-novel-coronavirus.htm MORE PAMS INFO HERE

Fixed Site service Info Victoria’s free pill testing service is now open at 95 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. Hours are: Thursdays 10am - 4pm Fridays 1pm - 7pm Saturdays 1pm - 7pm Extended Summer Hours Victoria's new fixed site for drug checking (aka. pill testing) has opened at 95 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. The Victorian Government is trialling this new health service to reduce possible drug-related harm. The service will be able to provide health and safety information about drug use by peer harm reduction workers. It is expected to open by August 2025, and the trial will operate for up to 12 months. This follows the successful launch of a mobile drug checking service at five music festivals from December 2024 to April 2025 . The Victorian Pill Testing Service is a free and confidential service that analyses your drugs and tells you what’s in them. We provide accurate information and non-judgmental health and harm reduction advice to help you make safer decisions about drug use. Funded by: How it works Everyone is welcome to use this service. When you arrive, you’ll provide a small sample of your substance for testing. While waiting for results you can chat with peers or health workers about harm reduction, have a cuppa or just hang out and watch the chemists at work. When the chemist has completed the tests, you’ll get your results in a private consultation room where a peer harm reduction worker will explain what was found and if needed, provide health and safety advice. Important to remember No identifying information is collected during ANY of the process. You can’t be arrested or charged for using the service. However, protections ONLY apply WITHIN the service area, so please ONLY BRING A VERY SMALL sample (less than a traffickable amount). If you are unsure what that is, see below. We can test most substances in pill/tablet form, powders, capsules, crystals and liquids. We can’t test plant material, highly diluted substances, or edibles. The Law Use Trafficking Possession The trafficable quantities are: • amphetamine: 3 grams • cannabis: 250 grams or 10 plants • cocaine: 3 grams • GHB: 50 grams • heroin: 3 grams • ketamine: 3 grams • MDMA (ecstasy): 3 grams • methylamphetamine (ice) : 3 grams These quantities include the drug plus any ‘cutters’. These trafficable quantities can change if the law changes. If you have less than a trafficable quantity of a drug, the police could still charge you with possession, or with trafficking if it looks like you were selling it. ie. in separate baggies etc. _________________ * 'Drugs ,the Law and Safer Substance Use' resource by Victoria Legal Aid Drugs & The Law resource Possession The police can charge you with possession (outside the pill testing service) if you have a drug: • on your body • in your house • in a car that you own or are driving. Possession of prescription drugs like methadone, steroids or benzodiazepines is okay if you have a prescription. The prescription must be up-to-date and made out to you. It is legal in Victoria to possess new or used syringes. Try not to carry drugs on you when you are carrying syringes. ________________ * 'Drugs ,the Law and Safer Substance Use' resource by Victoria Legal Aid Drugs & The Law resource Using Drugs The police can charge you if they see you using or you admit to using: • an illegal drug, or • a drug you do not have a prescription for. Use includes smoking, inhaling fumes, injecting, swallowing, or consuming a drug in other ways. If you admit to injecting someone else with a drug, the police can charge you with ‘introducing a drug into the body of another person’. If that person dies, you may be charged with a serious criminal offence. _________________ * 'Drugs, the Law and Safer Substance Use' resource by Victoria Legal Aid Drugs & The Law resource Contact Us Address 95 Brunswick Street Fitzroy Contact Phone: 1 800 762 844 Email: info@vicpilltesting.org.au Website: www.vicpilltesting.org.au Opening Hours from AUGUST 2025 Thurs. 12pm-4pm Fri. 3pm-7pm Sat. 1pm-7pm Sunday to Wednesday CLOSED Like, Follow & Comment

Regional Victoria Regional Victoria covers everywhere else- from Geelong to Ballarat to Bendigo to Gippsland to the mountains. 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. GEELONG Barwon Health Community Vaccination Hub 2-30 North Shore Road, Norlane 3214 (old Ford factory). Parking available on-site and easy access to bus stops and public transport. Book here Walk-ins accepted for AstraZeneca, although you are encouraged to book via the links above. Walk-ins are not available for Pfizer. If you walk in, you should be prepared to wait. Walk-ins are only accepted from 8.30am to 3.30pm each day. COBRAM Cobram NCN Health 1 O'Dwyer Ave, Cobram VIC Open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8.30am - 4:30pm Open Wednesday 8.30am-8pm Closed public holidays Use the online booking system or call 1800 675 398 for availability. Walk ins are not accepted at this vaccination centre. HORSHAM Horsham Community Clinic 20 McLachlan St, Horsham VIC Open Monday to Friday 9.30am-4pm Closed public holidays Use the online booking system or call 1800 675 398 for availability. Walk ins are not accepted at this vaccination centre. SHEPPARTON Shepparton Showgrounds - McIntosh Centre Corner of Thompson Street and High Street, Shepparton VIC Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9am-4.30pm Open Tuesday 9am-8pm Open public holidays Walk ins are accepted at this vaccination centre. CASTLEMAINE Castlemaine Health 142 Cornish St, Castlemaine, VIC 3450 Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am-12:45pm and 1:30pm-2:30pm. Closed public holidays. Use the online booking system or call 1800 675 398 for availability. Walk ins are not accepted at this vaccination centre CORRYONG Corryong Vaccination Hub 20 Kiell Street, Corryong VIC Open Tuesday and Wednedsay 9am-4pm Use the online booking system or call 1800 675 398 for availability. Walk ins are not accepted at this vaccination centre. GIPPSLAND Sale - Gippsland Regional Sports Complex 116 Cobains Road, Sale VIC Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:45am-3:30pm Open Thursday 15th July and Thursday 5th August 3pm-9pm) Closed public holidays Use the online booking system or call 1800 675 398 for availability. Walk ins are not accepted at this vaccination centre. SEYMOUR Seymour Health 1 Bretonneux Street, Seymour VIC Open Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm Use the online booking system or call 1800 675 398 for availability. Walk ins are not accepted at this vaccination centre. FIND A PHARMACY REGIONAL VICTORIA

HRVic's PAMS phone service provides info around & help with methadone or suboxone or Subutex programs in Victoria Top of Page FOR PEOPLE ON OR STARTING PHARMACOTHERAPY (METHADONE (liquid), SUBOXONE (bupe/naloxone), SUBUTEX(bupe), or BUVIDAL, SUBLOCADE (long acting bupe injections) HRVic's PAMS service has access to the latest pharmacotherapy information. ALREADY ON TREATMENT? How PAMS can help you: CHOOSE ONE I AM CURRENTLY TAKING PHARMACOTHERAPY (methadone / bupe / suboxone / long acting injectable bupe) NOT ON TREATMENT YET? I AM THINKING ABOUT STARTING or I WANT TO START TAKING PHARMACOTHERAPY FAQs Frequently Asked Questions We strongly encourage you to call us PH: 1800 443 844 so that we can make sure we thoroughly understand your situation. Scroll over the questions to reveal their answers CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE ON PHONES What is Suboxone? Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine with naloxone. Suboxone comes in the form of a tablet and a dissolvable film that is placed under the tongue. What is buprenorphine? Buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid that produces weaker euphoric effects than say, heroin or methadone but it reduces or eliminates your symptoms. What is methadone? Methadone a powerful synthetic analgesic drug which is similar to morphine in its effects but less sedative and is used as a substitute drug in the treatment of morphine and heroin dependence. How many methadone take away doses (TADs) can I get? Usually 4, but COVID 19 has had a positive effect on take aways giving most clients up to 6 TADs a week. Personal Shoppers I've been told I can't be dosed at my pharmacy anymore. Are they allowed to do this? Yes. Pharmacies are private businesses. They do not have to provide a service to anybody, regardless if the person is on a pharmacotherapy program. Easy Returns My pharmacist refuses to dose me unless I have the money to pay for it? Is this legal? What can I do? Yes. Your pharmacist doesn't have to dose anyone who can't pay for it. If you need help with this, please call PAMS and we can try to work out a payment plan for you. Easy Returns My doctor has told me that I have to find another prescriber. Don't they need to find me a new one if they can't prescribe? Generally, if a GP bans a client from their practice- and YES they CAN DO THAT- they will make sure the person has a script to cover them for at least a week. Finding a new prescriber can be hard, contact PAMS as soon as you know you need a new GP and we can try to help. Easy Returns I have to go to court tomorrow and I will need another take away dose, Can my pharmacist just give me one extra? If you have used your prescribed take aways for the week, you will need to get your prescriber to add another T/A dose for this week. Make sure you ask BEFORE your court date. Some GPs will do this over the phone to the pharmacist-some won't. Easy Returns I have missed two doses this week. My script says I can have 4 take aways per week but my pharmacist is now refusing to give me any , What can I do? It is best to talk with your doctor about this. If you need help with this, please call PAMS and we can try to advocate for you. Some things to consider before going on 'the program'. The decision to start pharmacotherapy is often made in a state of crisis- in a rush, with little thought given to the long term consequences. Ask yourself a few things before taking the leap – particularly if you have not been on a pharmacotherapy program before. Is this your decision or do you feel pressured by others? Is there threat of incarceration or the removal of children? Is the program part of your parole or CBO conditions? If it’s not your decision, this may influence your chances of success. Is this the best treatment option for you at this point in your life? Why? Do you know about the different pharmacotherapy options ie. Methadone or Suboxone or long acting bupe injection? Do you know which is likely to suit you best and why? Are you aware of the alternatives to pharmacotherapy such as a detox program either at home or as part of a residential program? If you have tried the alternatives and they did not work, Why? Are you prepared to make a long term commitment? Pharmacotherapy usually works best as a long-term commitment. How long do you expect your pharmacotherapy program to last? Do you have to travel for work or regularly? It is still possible to travel (almost anywhere) when on a program, but it does mean you need to organise things in advance. Do you know about the different pharmacotherapy options ie. Methadone or Suboxone or long acting bupe injection? Do you know which is likely to suit you best and why? Are you aware of the commitments involved like visiting a GP at least monthly and a pharmacy every day (in the first few months)? Can you afford the dispensing fee (approx. $7.30 per 28 day prescription(w/ Health Care card) or $30(without)? Could you get to a pharmacy every day if it was required by your prescriber? Will picking up your daily dose interfere with your employment, family commitments, study etc? Are there service providers (doctor & pharmacist) near where you live and do they have vacancies ? Unfortunately, NOT ALL GPs will prescribe pharmacotherapy. This can be a particular problem if you live in a regional/rural area. Are you involved in any other type of drug treatment at present? (for example individual counselling) Have you spoken to others on a program? Although everybody’s experience is different, it can be extremely helpful to talk to your peers and ask them how the program works for them. Do you feel well informed? If the answer is yes, and you have decided to embark on a pharmacotherapy program, it is time to act.

Sign Up for Updates on Drug Checking in Victoria Subscribe to get the latest drug checking updates, job notices, alerts, and other ways to participate! Please take a moment to fill out the form. What are you interested in receiving updates on? * Required Fixed Site service Mobile/Events service Unpaid Community Consultations/Surveys Paid Community Consultations Data: Alerts, Event and Regular Findings Reports, Political Updates: Policy, Law, advocacy etc. Positions Vacant at Drug Checking- Fixed and Events Preferred Name Email Submit Thanks for submitting!

2024-2025 Annual Report Harm Reduction Victoria's Annual Report for the financial year 2024-2025 is now available to view our Annual Report as a reel. NOTE* Please PAUSE the page if you want to spend longer on it. otherwise it will keep playing. Read Here 2023-2024 Annual Report Harm Reduction Victoria's Annual Report has landed. Read below by clicking link. Printed Annual Reports will be sent to members who request one at info@hrvic.org.au AR 23-24 Website Download PDF HERE 2022-2023 Annual Report 2022-23 Annual Report HERE Download 2022-2023 Report PDF form 2022-23 Financial Report (pdf) 2021-2022 Annual Report Read 2021-2022 Report 2020-2021 Annual Report Read 2020-2021 Report Annual Reports-from 2014-2021. (Click on cover image to open PDF.) Our Annual Reports from 2014-2021 are a small sample of our impressive growth and the resilience of our community. Our reports provide detailed insight into our achievements and progress over the years.

Getting On, Getting Older (GoGo) is a new project in development: Targeting the health and social needs of us oldies who inject/use drugs – now and into the future. GOGO Project The Getting On - Getting Older Our Story Harm Reduction Victoria is pleased to introduce you to 'GoGo'. Getting On, Getting Older (GoGo) is a new project in development: Targeting the health and social needs of us oldies who inject/use drugs – now and into the future. GoGo is where the elders of our community can gather to discuss our needs as older people who use drugs and more importantly, to communicate those needs in ways that effect change that has to happen to be sure we are all looked after appropriately as we get older. Are you 50 years young or over and use substances? Fill out this anonymous survey now or Do you work with people Over 50 who use drugs? Fill out this survey now What are you experiencing as an older person who uses drugs? What are your concerns for your future? How can services work with older drug users to maintain a certain standard or to improve their quality of care? If you consider yourself an ‘older’ drug user, we want your input. We want to know what YOU want. We want to know what YOU need or know what you think you WILL need as an older person who uses drugs- who is getting older. Service User Survey (client) Service Provider Survey (worker) "Services for 'ageing drug users' simply do not exist. Why? -because until recently, we didn't get older. It's about figuring out what we need and want and then creating those services for ourselves and ensuring they're available in the future- for all people who enjoy substances" - Sam "I want to be taken seriously when I say I feel pain..and I want to be treated for that pain. I had to take and give my dying friend illicit drugs because their pain was not being managed appropriately while in palliative care-it was devastating." - Anonymous "I want to go to the doctor to and have my health issues and pain taken seriously- not just assume it's the result of my using." - Anonymous Let's Talk About it: Interested in being contacted to be part of the GoGo consultation? Click here to go directly to survey or contact us by filling out this form: > First Name Last Name Email Message Thanks for submitting! Send

Vaccine Locations With all of the Covid confusion, regardless of where it's come from, you'd be forgiven for not knowing how to go about getting the Covid vax if you choose to. We know that there are people in our community who do choose to be vaccinated and may be having trouble doing so- whether it's trouble with finding a clinic close to them or having trouble booking to get it done because of not having ID or a medicare card, or frustrating wait times etc, HRVic have decided to make sure that anyone in our community who chooses to partake- will not miss out. We absolutely respect our community's autonomy ( the right to self govern) around their health and respect your choice whatever it may be. We do however, want to ensure that this isn't another reason for society to leave us out in the cold. Already, the stigma and discrimination around someone who takes substances exists in spades and we don't need something else to move us to or keep us in 'the back of the line' in life. There are already many venues and businesses that have decided that people can not enter or partake without being vaccinated. The Basics: Everyone in Australia aged 12 and over can receive a COVID-19 vaccination If they choose. The Covid vaccines are FREE . You are allowed to travel more than 15km from home to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. View more information about current restrictions . There are a a few different types of vaccination clinics: Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics State (and Territory) Vaccination Centres General Practices (GPs) Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services Community Pharmacies Hospital Immunisation Hubs Outreach Services and 'Pop Up' clinics Aged care in-reach Reserved appointments are available for people accessing alcohol and drug services to get vaccinated at state vaccination centres. Appointments for ALL areas are only available by calling (freecall) 1800 675 398. We have compiled a list of clinics and services who are offering the vaccines. Click on the area name that you want to find a clinic in to see locations in that area. NEW Pop Up and Walk In Vaccine Clinics List A 'Pop Up' vaccine clinic is a non permanent location where you can get your jab between certain dates. You may still need to book. Please check with individual locations to avoid disappointment. A 'Walk In' vaccination clinic is a clinic where you don't need to book. The Victorian Government is bringing the vaccines to areas that need them most, by launching a massive community pop-up vaccination program targeting 100 priority postcodes across the state. HRVic will continue to post UPDATED lists in PDF form so you can print them out, for you as they arise so nobody has to miss out. POP UP VACCINE CENTRES WALK IN VACCINE CENTRES INNER CITY The Inner City covers North Melbourne, Carlton, Collingwood, Richmond, East Melbourne, West Melbourne and South Melbourne. BAYSIDE The Bayside areas covers Albert Park to Mordialloc to Clayton, Malvern to Toorak. INNER EAST & EAST The Inner East and East areas cover all suburbs from Kew to Chirnside Park, out to Eltham to Warburton and back to Ferntree Gully and back to Caulfield. WEST & SOUTH WEST The West & South West areas covers Williamstown to Wyndham Vale and Eynesbury to Caroline Springs back to Footscray. NORTHERN SUBURBS The Northern Suburbs area covers Maribyrnong & Essendon to Taylors Lakes & Tullamarine up to Craigieburn to Bundoora and back to Reservoir, Thornbury and Northcote. SOUTH EAST & MORNINGTON PENINSULA The huge South East area covers from Dandenong to Warneet to Druin to Narre Warren and back to Emerald. REGIONAL VICTORIA Regional Victoria covers everywhere else- from Geelong to Ballarat to Bendigo to Gippsland to the mountains. CAN'T FIND A CLINIC IN YOUR AREA? TRY THESE OTHER RESOURCES Victorian Government Covid Vaccination Centre website TAKE ME THERE Australian Government Covid Vaccine Clinic Finder website TAKE ME THERE

In 2016, DW expanded its services in response to a need and partnered with a range of collaborators to provide support and infrastructure to festivals to respond to Sexual and Gender Based Violence (GB,) other onsite traumas and psychological distress. DanceWize's NEW Gender Based Violence and Mental Health Services In November 2016, DW expanded its services in response to a need and partnered with a range of collaborators to provide support and infrastructure to festivals to respond to Gender Based Violence (GBV,) other onsite traumas and mental health/psychological distress.  The service acknowledges that there are often disclosures of GBV in the DW space due to the reputation of DW as a safe and non judgmental place where patrons can discuss any issues relating to their drug use and wellbeing. The service also supports the psychological wellbeing of patrons, event staff and volunteers. DW acknowledges that responding to GBV, trauma and psychological distress at music festivals is unique and requires specialist knowledge about responding to AOD, trauma and mental health presentations and the service is provided by peers with appropriate qualifications and extensive experience in the fields of sexual assault, family violence, AOD, trauma and mental health. The services offered are tailored to the industry and acknowledge the unique social, cultural and individual factors of a festival that may result in GBV and psychological distress, paying particular attention to breaking down the barriers to disclosing in the festival context. The service focuses on primary and secondary prevention – providing consultation to festivals about ways to reduce the risk of GBV that includes training and reviewing of policies and procedures, and offering onsite services that are designed to respond to and lessen the immediate and long term of harm of GBV, respond to more complex mental health presentations or onsite traumas, and provide debriefing to staff and volunteers, The service is trauma-informed, focusing on responding to and supporting people in care through establishing safety and trust, valuing client centred care, upholding victim survivor rights, and is guided by the national standards for the delivery of sexual assault services. Pre-event capacity building and consultation Provision of training on Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Assault at Music festivals (DanceWize and CASA House training) and training booklets Provision of training on Bystander Intervention and Understanding trauma A library of resources available to festivals – brochures for appropriate mental health, sexual assault and family violence services from all across Australia A library of posters available to festivals on consent, supporting survivor’s, responding to disclosures of sexual assault and bystander intervention -developed in collaboration with WestCASA and designed for the music industry Expert consultation on festival sexual assault and harassment policies and procedures, including the provision of templates Festival social media/public messaging advice about consent, GBV and harassment Ability to foster a festivals relationship with local SOCIT’s and CASA’s to ensure that local services are aware of the festival operating Advise event staff of risk factors of GBV at festivals at pre-event planning meetings; Expert advice about the development of processes and procedures relating to the removal of alleged perpetrators Development of flow charts, cheat sheets on responding to sexual assault for event staff Onsite Service Delivery Provision of a separate safe space behind the DW Chill Area Provision of qualified counsellors who work collaboratively with EMT’s to manage risk of wider festival safety Provision of temporary accommodation Resources, and counselling and support provided to people in care Ability to engage with the event’s local CASA, to ensure that local area SOCIT teams are aware of the event and DW counsellors. Local CASA’s have at times been present onsite with a resource table and as part of the DW team. Ability for counsellors to provide secondary consultation and debriefing to all event staff and volunteers who may have witnessed GBV, other traumas or have been a first responder Ability for counsellors to respond to other festival incidents at request of EMT/ECC Provision of active bystander rovers, who role model bystander intervention and provide education about consent Let's Work Together DW’s GBV and Mental Health Service is offered as an additional fee for service to festivals and events and is meant to complement and enhance DanceWize core operations. When the service is requested, the DW GBV and Mental Health service works in collaboration with core operations staff and volunteers to enhance the overall well-being of patrons and staff at festivals and events. The GBV and Mental Health Service offers a comprehensive suite of services, and festivals can choose which activities they would like to engage with. The service is focused on interventions that target the whole festival community.   More information about the service can be requested by emailing  info@dancewize.org.au