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.

Book DanceWize peer 2 peer event care services for your single day or multi day event or festival today. We work alongside other emergency event crew to care for our community on site providing peer led drug education and harm reduction services and care. BOOKING ENQUIRY What / Who is DanceWize? DanceWize is Australia's original, by peer for peer run party-centric harm reduction service. We deliver peer 2 peer substance specific care and support services for music events and festivals across Victoria. Starting as a grassroots Victorian group known as RaveSafe , DanceWize has been a program of HRVic since 1999 and is partially funded by the Victorian Department of Health. So successful is the DanceWize model that peer run drug user organisations across Australia have trialled and adopted the model. In 2017, NUAA started and administered it's own spin off-DanceWize NSW. HRVic is part of a national network of peer based drug user orgs which are able to support the emergence of similar programs in other parts of the country too. This network promotes health rights, human rights and harm reduction. Are you having an event or require another DanceWize service? The DanceWize program model utilises peer-based support to deliver education, provide resources and referrals about safer drug use, harm reduction related health and wellbeing issues at music events and festivals. Our team members have appropriate training and living/ lived-experience to care for intoxicated persons or people who need other support in event and festival settings. Our Team Leads and Key Peer Educators and carers (KPEs) undergo a range of training including First Aid (HLTFA003), but we do not operate as a First Aid provider, as this is not the program’s objective. We work as part of an event's Health Emergency Management Plan (HEMP) alongside health providers and other on-site services. The efficacy of this peer-based program model is evidence-based and in 2016 HRVic’s DanceWize won the Minister of Health’s award for Outstanding Achievement by Volunteers Supporting Diversity. Our Services 01 Brief Interventions & Peer Education The DW Brief Interventions generally take place at the front of house of the DW Chill Space. consist of peer to peer support to deliver non judgemental, up to date, real information around substances and safer using education, provide resources and referrals around safer drug use, and related health and wellbeing issues at music events and festivals. Partygoers and event staff can access extensive substance information, free health and safer using education, peer support, relevant referrals, harm reduction and health supplies. See our Resources List for a comprehensive overview. 03 Mobile Interventions & Roving This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to edit the content and make sure to add any relevant information that you want to share with your visitors. 05 Service Name This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to edit the content and make sure to add any relevant information that you want to share with your visitors. 02 Care Interventions & Chill Space The DW Chill Space located in close proximity to the on-site medical where trained KPEs provide support for intoxicated persons experiencing distress, provide a safe space for victims of sexual assault/harassment, and deliver an integrated reciprocal referral model for care with the onsite medical/first aid provider. All patrons are assessed and managed in accordance with strict protocols and in collaboration with the on-site medical team. See our Triage and Care Protocols for further information. 04 Gender Based Violence & Mental Health Service Provision of a separate safe space behind the DanceWize Chill Space Provision of qualified counsellors who work collaboratively with EMT’s to manage risk of wider festival safety Temporary accommodation options Resources, and expert counselling and advocacy support provided to people in care Ability to engage with local CASA, to assess their ability to be present onsite with a resource table as part of DanceWize GBV Service Ability for counsellors to provide secondary consultation and debriefing to all event staff and volunteers who may have witnessed GBV or have been a first responder Ability for counsellors to respond to other festival incidents at request of EMT Provision of active bystander rovers, who role model bystander intervention and provide education about consent *Please Note: Completing this request does not mean that you have booked DanceWize for your event. An HRVic staff member/DanceWize Coordinator will reply to you ASAP to confirm receipt of your request & discuss your needs further. The demand for the DanceWize team is Very high. We are booked 6-12months in advance. We appreciate that sometimes "stuff happens" and things are overlooked when planning events and we will do our best to fit in last minute requests but are very, VERY limited to what we can take on at short notice. Please keep this in mind. DanceWize is a part-funded program run by Harm Reduction Victoria. If you wish to possibly enhance our capacity to take more bookings, please feel free to donate. ;-)

Contact Harm Reduction Victoria for more info on becoming a member, booking or sponsoring supplies to DanceWize or to book a workshop or training session contact us on info@hrvic.org.au Become a member of Harm Reduction Victoria today! HRVic is a uniquely peer driven, peer run and peer governed community organisation for people who use drugs. Harm Reduction Victoria Inc . ABN: 46 114 268 362 Street Address 299-305 Victoria Street Brunswick VIC 3056 Postal Address PO Box 87 Brunswick VIC 3056 Phone: (03) 9329 1500 Email: info@hrvic.org.au

Harm Reduction Victoria (HRVic) is a peer and member-based organisation with deep roots in the diverse communities it serves. For the purposes of this plan, we use the term ‘our communities’ but far from owning our communities, we believe we are owned by them. We exist because they exist; this plan serves as a roadmap to honour that belonging through radical care and systemic change. Harm Reduction Victoria Strategic Plan 2025-2029 Harm Reduction Victoria (HRVic) is a peer and member-based organisation with deep roots in the diverse communities it serves. Our communities comprise people with lived and living experience of viral hepatitis and HIV, and of drug use along a continuum from dependence to occasional or historical use, and of a variety of drugs. We are Aboriginal, multi-ethnic, LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse communities that overlap and enrich one another. We are a diverse and intersectional range of beliefs, abilities, socio-economic realities, cultures and socio-political context. We recognise that our fight for harm reduction is inseparable from the fight for social justice. For the purposes of this plan, we use the term ‘our communities’ but far from owning our communities, we believe we are owned by them . We exist because they exist; this plan serves as a roadmap to honour that belonging through radical care and systemic change. Our strength comes from the lived and living peer experience of our communities, our team, our members, and our board. Read HRVic's Strategic Plan here: READ HERE

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.

Become a member of HRVic today. HRVic is a community run and governed organisation that specialises in combatting drug related harm.

YOSHI Celebrating Yoshi Tue, 24 June North Ryde Longest serving volunteer on the DanceWize team, extremely valued peer and community member and true contributor to progress in harm reduction policies and initiatives, Yoshi Levitch has passed away at the age of 43. He will be dearly missed, but also celebrated and remembered for his impact. Share Details

5toLife- Respond to Opioid Overdose with naloxone. PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION LEARN TO ADMINISTER NALOXONE ONLINE This workshop focuses on how to recognise the signs of opioid overdose and how to respond using naloxone- the opioid reversal medication, in all it's forms- Prenoxad®- an injectable multi dose (in one syringe) or Nyxoid®-a single dose nasal spray. What makes HRVic’s naloxone training unique from other training is that the trainers have living or lived experience of injecting drug use and first hand experience of overdose and overdose response and we insist on giving participants HRVic naloxone kits at the end of the training session. HRVic’s first priority is to put naloxone kits into the hands of those who need it most- people who currently use drugs or the people who live with them. We do however understand the need for drug use to remain anonymous, as prohibition remains our biggest most threatening harm. All participants of Online Naloxone Training receive a FREE HRVic Naloxone Kit. If you are attending and belong to a service or other org who work with PWUD and would like a free naloxone kit- email janed@hrvic.org.au stating this and we can give you some other options. OPIOID OVERDOSE- RECOGNISE & RESPOND: NALOXONE ONLINE TRAINING (Duration: approx 40-45min) 4:30PM (AEST) On the 1st of each Month* UPCOMING DATES: 2026 MON NOVEMBER 2nd TUES DECEMBER 1st *unless the 1st falls on a weekend then it will be on the NEXT weekday after Join Zoom Meeting: Just copy and paste link in your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89848783603?pwd=OU1WZjZpVENmdFhaUzVBaGdFTzVMdz09 or click HERE at 4:30pm Meeting ID: 898 4878 3603 Passcode: 786160 OPIOID OVERDOSE- RECOGNISE & RESPOND: NALOXONE @ NIGHT ONLINE TRAINING (Duration: approx 40-45min) 8:00PM (AEST) On the third Wednesday each month UPCOMING DATES: 2026 WED OCTOBER 14th WED NOVEMBER 18th WED DECEMBER 16th Join Zoom Meeting: Just copy and paste link in your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89848783603?pwd=OU1WZjZpVENmdFhaUzVBaGdFTzVMdz09 or click HERE at 8pm Meeting ID: 898 4878 3603 Passcode: 786160 INSTRUCTIONS Click to enlarge 5 T o Life Steps REVERSE OPIOID OVERDOSE HOW TO VIDEOS: AMPOULES- Injectable (NOT AVAILABLE IN HRVIC KITS) NYXOID- Nasal Spray PRENOXAD- Injectable 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.

Sublocade ® Discontinuation Announcement PAMS have recently been made aware that the long-acting slow release injectable buprenorphine product, Sublocade® will be discontinued and unavailable in Australia as of 31 December 2026 for commercial reasons. PAMS encourages community members who are currently prescribed Sublocade® to make an appointment with their prescriber to discuss alternatives as soon as possible. LAST prescriptions need to be at your pharmacy by Friday 4th December 2026 for your FINAL prescription. The company that manufactures Sublocade®, Indivior, also manufacture Subutex and Suboxone. These two medications have not been affected by the company’s decision. If you are worried that this change may affect you or your treatment, please call PAMS on 1800 443 844. DETAILS HERE DRUG ALERT HEROIN FOUND IN COCAINE & METH 1 2 7 1 1/7 Sarah Hiley-Drug Checking Director Vic Pill Testing Service PODCAST Interview On the 29th January, Sarah Hiley, the Drug Checking Director of the Victorian Pill Testing Service, sat down with Jack Crnjanin on ‘Well, Well, Well’- JOY FM's health and HIV hour. Hear about how harm reduction and specifically drug checking at events and in the community is a game changer. What the service requires of you to use it, why the service trial is only at certain events and what it's been finding! Sarah walks us through the testing process, from anonymous sample submission to rapid results, and highlights the limits and accuracy of the analyses. The service will be present at Victoria’s Pride Street Party, offering a safe, non‑judgmental space for festival‑goers to have their substances tested. Listen to it HERE Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell . Link to Podcast COMMUNITY ADVICE - Jan. 22/2026 Feelin' hot hot hot! FORECAST THIS WEEKEND for VICTORIA : PARTIES, FESTIVALS and EVENTS WITH A PROBABILITY OF HEAT HEAT HEAT!!! As of Thursday 22 at 12:50pm the weather calls for: Fri- 26 degrees Sat- 39 degrees!! Sun- 27 degrees Heat and substances don't mix well! If you are attending one of the many big parties or events on this weekend, remember that mixing MDMA or other stimulants with heat, humidity, and dehydration and dancing can cause hyperthermia (overheating). Hyperthermia has led to deaths and hospitalisations at Australian festivals. This risk is increased at outdoor events in hot weather with big crowds and little shade with banging music you just have to dance to! Ways to reduce the risk of hyperthermia or heat exhaustion: * Take Breaks & Hydrate - regularly, in the shade, and rest often. * Avoid OVER Hydrating! - Sip water slowly but regularly. When Active: no more than 500ml/hour. At Rest: no more than 250ml / hour * "Start Low & Go Slow" - Take 1/2 your usual dose. Re-dose AFTER the peak (+2hrs) You can always take more but you CANT take less after the fact. * Wait to 'drop' until AFTER the hottest time of the day. * Get your drugs checked! - The Victorian Pill Testing service's fixed site at 95 Brunswick St, Fitzroy is FREE, LEGAL and ANONYMOUS! and is open longer over summer- THURS 10am-4pm, FRI 1pm-7pm and SAT 1pm-7pm The Victorian Pill Testing Service Mobile tent will be at Dangerous Goods from 2:30pm-8:30pm. They will be located next to our very own Dancewize tent . Drop in if you need to refill your water, or need advice from peers. or just to say g'day! Look after yourselves and eachother! #VPTS #HRVIC #dancewize #harmreductionworks #victorianpilltestingservice #checkyourselfbeforeyouwreckyourself #staycool Harm Reduction Victoria STRATEGIC PLAN 2025-2029 For the purposes of this plan, we use the term ‘our communities’ but far from owning our communities, we believe we are owned by them. Our strength comes from the lived and living peer experience of our communities, our team, our members, and our board. On behalf of the Harm Reduction Victoria Board, I am pleased to present our Strategic Plan for 2025 – 2029 Read Now Harm Reduction Victoria - Annual General Meeting Harm Reduction Victoria invites it's members: Wednesday, the 10th of December at 3-5pm at Harm Reduction Victoria’s office at: 299-305 Victoria Street, Brunswick VIC 3056. Annual Report 24-25 International Drug Users Day 2025 HRVic Scavenger Hunt & Community Dinner Friday November 7th @ 5pm-9pm @299-305 Victoria St Brunswick @ HRVic office/NSP!! JOIN A HUGE SCAVENGER HUNT to celebrate International Drug Users Day 2025!! Starting at 5pm, you will be sent on a short scavenger hunt within a 2-3 block radius of Harm Reduction Victoria, to find and solve a series of riddles and problems! There are HEAPS OF PRIZES TO BE WON!! And then JOIN US for A COMMUNITY DINNER BBQ at 7pm to see out the end of the week! FREE TO PLAY AND FREE TO EAT!!! Come have some FUN!! See you all there!!! #gottafindemall #HRVIC #harmreduction #communitydinner #freefeed #idud2025 International Overdose Awareness Day Statement “International Overdose Awareness Day is a day of solidarity with our communities. We honour every person lost to overdose and acknowledge the strength of those who carry that loss every day. Through programs like our Drug Overdose Prevention Education we are able to leverage the growing availability of naloxone in Victoria and get naloxone into more hands and prevent these deaths. Today we also welcome and acknowledge that the Victorian Department of Health and Safer Care Victoria have affirmed that non-clinical workforces in health and community services can use naloxone in their roles and that it is not precluded by legislation.1 This follows a previous statement by the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority clarifying their indemnity coverage for naloxone administration by a range of workers in insured organisations.2 International Overdose Awareness Day reminds us that every life lost to overdose is preventable. Together, by breaking down stigma, expanding harm reduction, and listening to the voices of people with lived and living experience, we can build a Victoria where fewer families are left grieving and more people are supported to live healthier, safer lives. Sione Crawford- CEO, Harm Reduction Victoria READ Full Statement Aug 21 2025: New drug checking service has OPENED at 95 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy finally! Today we're opening for services at 95 Brunswick St, as part of the new, trial, Victorian Pill Testing Service. Harm Reduction Victoria have been busy working with our partner organisations and the Department of Health on Victoria's 18 month "implementation trial" of this new harm reduction initiative. As we know, governments like to do "trials" for this kind of thing these days - although they have changed the laws and committed to it long-term. A big part of this trial is running a fixed-site service at 95 Brunswick St for a period of 12 months. And today, Thursday 21st of August, we are open for business!! READ MORE May 29 2025 C The Whole Story Forum C the Whole Story Forum III: Advancing Integration of Hepatitis C Care Registrations are now open for ASHM's C the Whole Story Forum. This free, online forum includes expert-led discussions and interactive sessions on the innovative ways hepatitis C care is being integrated across housing, mental health, and AOD settings. Register for the C the Whole Story Forum III on the ASHM website: (click button) REGISTER NOW Harm Reduction Living and Lived Experience Workforce Discipline Specific Framework Created by Harm Reduction Victoria (HRVic), in collaboration with the Victorian Department of Health aand the organisations of living and lived experience workforce development project. Read HRPW Framework It's at Beyond the Valley. It's FREE. It's Anonymous. It's Drug Checking. 1/1 MONDAY 12.08.2024, The Guardian ‘Mind-boggling’: Victorian outreach workers decry double standard for lifesaving overdose drug naloxone Untrained bystanders can legally administer the opioid-reversal treatment – but frontline workers face a legal risk if they do not first call triple zero. Richie Goonan- Youth Projects, Sione Crawford- HRVic and Chris Christoforou- VAADA talk to The Guardian around the governments confusing stance on naloxone provision Vs. administration indemnity for non clinical frontline workers who need to be able to administer the life saving medication but are unallowed to do so. Despite Victoria last year joining a federally funded program that expanded access to naloxone, a lifesaving overdose-reversal medication, frontline drug workers are met with a legal hurdle that prevents them from administering it without first calling triple zero. If they (frontline workers) face litigation due to attempting to save a life by administering naloxone, they may not be covered by any indemnity scheme if they have not spoken to an emergency services operator first. Health experts are warning about the looming threat of strong synthetic opioids, called nitazenes, to Australian drug users, shining a light on the importance of access to naloxone to treat overdoses – with researchers calling for more Australian pharmacies to stock the drug. Last month police confirmed that a synthetic opioid had been detected in the bodies of four people found dead in Melbourne in June. Naloxone – available as an injection and nasal spray – can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose or an adverse reaction. But Goonan says a nurse outreach worker at his service spent two minutes on hold with emergency services while trying to help someone experiencing an overdose. “Two minutes is an extremely long time when you’ve got someone with really shallow breathing, lips going blue,” he says. Click on link to read the whole article. Published 12.08.2024 by The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/12/mind-boggling-victorian-health-workers-decry-double-standard-for-lifesaving-overdose-drug-naxolone FULL ARTICLE HERE: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/12/mind-boggling-victorian-health-workers-decry-double-standard-for-lifesaving-overdose-drug-naxolone Victoria Needs A POTENT SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS PLAN Potent synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl and nitazenes have contributed the thousands of overdoses in other countries. In 2022, they contributed to approximately 80,000 fatal overdoses in the USA. In Australia, there have been recent health alerts indicating that illicit drugs such as cocaine have been adulterated with a range of substances, with an increasing number of alerts involving different nitazenes. While Australia has so far avoided a surge in the prevalence of these substances, a police seizure of over 11kg of fentanyl in late 2021 highlights the rapidity with which illicit drug markets could be flooded with these substances. Without access to a safer, regulated drug supply and widespread availability of harm reduction services; this would surely result in a rapid surge in overdoses and the grief that follows; it would also rapidly overwhelm our health system. In acknowledgement of this risk, Harm Reduction Victoria (HRVic) and the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) have developed a paper calling for the sector and the Victorian Government to work together on developing and delivering a Potent Synthetic Opioids Plan. Sione Crawford, CEO of HRVic, says, ‘Victoria is putting in place some good foundations with drug checking promised but we also know we have no time to lose. While so far potent opioid detections have seemed like isolated incidents; we are at the point where these incidents appear to be a pattern and now require a more coordinated response. We need to ensure that all stakeholders are viewing this threat through a public health lens and we need to rapidly convene experts and communities of people who use drugs to support the response. We do not want the community to be grieving any more friends and family in the coming months and years.” Chris Christoforou, CEO of VAADA says, ‘emergency preparedness in the interests of public health is essential. When crises or natural disasters occur, having a plan that can support those most at risk and those most likely to respond first is crucial. This is why we have worked with Harm Reduction Victoria to develop this paper. By continuing to take a health led approach, and prioritising harm reduction measures, we offer a framework for a Potent Synthetic Opioids Plan to keep Victorians safe. It is through being prepared that we can best avoid the human toll from fentanyl and nitazenes currently being experienced in North America.’ Our paper can be accessed via link below. Recommendation: Establish a Synthetic Opioids Taskforce under the direction of the Chief AOD Officer to develop and operationalise a Potent Synthetic Opioids Plan, drawing on this framework to ensure that any harms which may occur due to a surge in potent synthetic opioids in Victoria are mitigated. For more information or to arrange an interview please contact David Taylor on 0413 914 206. Read HRVic/VAADA Paper Here Download .PDF Media Release DRUG ALERT JULY 2024 (Naarm/Melbourne, Victoria, and VIC wide) !!**COCAINE adulterated with opioid PROTONITAZENE**!! A white powder sold as cocaine in Melbourne has been found to contain the potent synthetic opioid 'protonitazene'. There have been recent serious harms in Naarm/Melbourne associated with a 'white powder' sold as COCAINE that contained the potent opioid PROTONITAZENE. The product appears to produce strong adverse effects such as loss of consciousness, respiratory depression, and life-threatening hypoxia. (lack of oxygen in your blood). Protonitazene is faster acting and is much stronger (100x) than heroin. It is important for everyone- REGARDLESS of the substance you are planning to take- to CARRY NALOXONE. **CARRY ON YOU!!- not keep in a cupboard at home or leave in your car glove box- It could mean the difference between life and death for someone. Naloxone is a FREE, easy-to-use, easy to get medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose – it is safe to use even if you are not sure whether someone has taken opioids. HRVic does FREE naloxone administration training EVERY 1st of the month and can also do 1 on 1 training from the NSP every day. Naloxone can be accessed at HRVic's NSP and at participating pharmacies, other needle and syringe programs and from the medically supervised injecting centre. You can find an approved naloxone provider on the Take Home Naloxone program webpage. https://www.health.vic.gov.au/aod-treatment-services/victorias-take-home-naloxone-program Protonitazene is one of the many NITAZENES that have been circulating throughout Australia over the past couple of years. Read more about the types of Nitazenes and their effects in the latest WHACK magazine OUT NOW at your local NSP or click HERE. If you are an HRVic Member and have not yet received a copy in the mail, email us at info@hrvic.org.au to UPDATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP. If you have any questions or want more info visit the Dept of Health alert : https://www.health.vic.gov.au/drug-alerts/cocaine-adulterated-with-protonitazene or HRVic's Overdose page on our website: www.hrvic.org.au/dope Be safe out there! Harm Reduction Victoria Welcomes Drug Checking Trial for Victoria As Victoria’s peer-based harm reduction organisation for people who use drugs, Harm Reduction Victoria welcomes the Allan Government’s announcment of a drug checking trial over the next 18 months. HRVic commend the Allan Government for listening to the evidence, experts, and most of all the wider community! We applaud their commitment to both a fixed site and mobile outreach services, and for planning to make this "important health service” permanent beyond the 18-month implementation period. As the premier's statement lays out- the trial is set to begin this summer, with mobile services attending up to 10 music festivals and events and a fixed site to also open at a yet to be disclosed site "located in an inner Melbourne area close to nightlife and transport". around mid-2025. "The government states that these services will be able to test the make-up of most pills, capsules, powders, crystals, or liquids and identify harmful chemicals that can lead to death. Importantly, they said "Trained peer workers and technical experts will be present during testing to provide personalised and confidential health information to help people make better, safer and more informed decisions." Read both the Government's press release and HRVic's statement in the below links. HUZAAH! READ FULL HRVic STATEMENT READ Premier's Statement HRVic SOCIAL MEDIA Drug Checking: Principles of Practice. A model for Victoria MAY 2024 Harm Reduction Victoria and the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association are pleased to publish the paper Drug Checking: Principles of Practice. A Model for Victoria. This paper has been written by Professor Kate Seear in consultation with sector experts who have experience in running drug checking services along with people who are likely to use such a service. The paper presents a preferred model for drug checking in Victoria, providing principles for equitable access, an approach to reducing harms for those intending to use drugs, and the establishment of a real time public alert system that can keep our community safe. It provides the Victorian Government with expert advice on a best practice model, with budgetary considerations and guiding principles to inform how such a service should operate. Whilst drug checking is often associated with festivals and events where substances may be consumed, it has broader application, as identified by the Coroners Court with most fatalities related to dangerous substances occurring outside of a festival setting. Drug checking has now been recommended in seven Victorian coronial findings. The paper proposes a fixed site drug checking service in Melbourne where people can attend to have a sample examined, with mobile vans in place to outreach to regional and rural communities. The service would be part of a wider public early warning system, which would allow health authorities to communicate in real time should the presence of hazardous additive substances be identified "Drug checking services never recommend that a substance is completely safe to use." Drug Checking provides individuals an opportunity to see what they are taking and the chance to reconsider consuming it if they find adulterants or toxic doses in it. International evidence shows that up to 86% of people will discard a substance should they be informed that it is adulterated. A drug checking service for Victoria is smart public health policy. It will reduce the possibility of exposure to and use of toxic cutters and adulterants and provide an early warning system for the State to communicate about hazardous substances that are in the community before more people are exposed which reduces demand on our overburdened health system and first responders. Help our communities to help ourselves. Importantly it is an essential frontline defence against the threat of potent synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and nitazenes, which continue to bear catastrophic consequences overseas. Harm Reduction Victoria and the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association are committed to working with the Victorian Government to reduce the harms of drug prohibition in our community through evidence informed, health and peer led solutions. READ THE REPORT HERE Anyone who experiences adverse drug effects or is present when someone has an unexpected reaction to a drug should seek help immediately by calling Triple Zero (000). 23 April 2024 Listen to People Who Use Drugs: More Injecting Rooms & More Peer Leadership! The HRVic response to the Hon. Jacinta Allan’s ‘Statewide Action Plan to Reduce the Harms of Drug Use' We express our deep disappointment at the announcement by the Victorian Government to reject a second injecting room in the Melbourne CBD. The lack of safe spaces to consume drugs is driving overdose rates and resulting in significant harms to our community. The government has instead announced a “State-Wide Action Plan To Save Lives and Reduce Drug Harm ”, that includes a range of measures to address overdoses across the state; including more pharmacotherapy, naloxone and “care and support”, as well as starting the development of a statewide AOD strategy. Essentially implementing all of the recommendations in the Ken Lay report, “except for one” - a second injecting room. “These are welcome investments; although they would be more effective alongside an injecting room. We will be watching closely to ensure that people who use drugs; the actual community of people directly affected by this issue; are meaningfully included in the design and implementation of all of these new investments.” - Sione Crawford, CEO of Harm Reduction Victoria. We know that operating large, Medically Supervised Injecting Rooms, such as the one in North Richmond, is an expensive and logistically complicated operation. We know that the Victorian Government was unable to convince businesses and residents in the CBD to overcome their fear and stigma around these services. But what we also know; is that these injecting rooms don’t have to be so large, so expensive and so medically supervised. Successful examples from around the world involve fewer medical staff, less clinical oversight and an expanded role for peer support and community-based harm reduction interventions. These are ultimately less expensive and more effective. “The Government’s new State-Wide Action Plan and forthcoming drug strategy must include many, smaller, peer-based safer drug consumption spaces. This will reduce the burden on amenity in surrounding areas and truly empower people who use drugs to keep ourselves, our friends and our communities safe from overdose and drug-related harms.” For further comment, contact Harm Reduction Victoria: (03) 9329 1500 Frankston Healthcare Clinic 06.03.2024 No further updates. More Harm Reduction and Healthcare, Not more Cops and Dogs at Festivals 17.01.2024 Community Statement Re. MDMA & Heat and Drug Checking in VIC in 2024 After the recent unfortunate hospitalisations at last week's music festivals due to a mix of mostly MDMA and hot weather, community and experts are crying out for a change but despite this outcry and the coroner's ongoing recommendations for drug checking in Victoria, it feels like we are no closer to drug-checking. On the ABC Melbourne morning radio show yesterday, the Premier was asked straight up, when we will get drug checking in our state. The good news is she did not rule it out. She also namechecked our amazing program, DanceWize. DanceWize-a harm reduction event care program, run by Harm Reduction Victoria, was contracted to provide peer led event care and drug harm reduction education at both events, however, with our 25 extensively trained community volunteers, 2 paid staff, and limited resources, it's tough. We handed out free water, sunscreen, and gave harm reduction advice to the 35k strong crowds, but reaching everyone is always a challenge. DanceWize is a vital frontline service, relying on dedicated community volunteers from all backgrounds for peer harm reduction advice and personalised care at events. The government's move to increase Police sniffer dog (PAD) and search operations was short-sighted, making people more likely to take drugs in riskier ways. READ COMPLETE STATEMENT HERE HR23 16-19 April 2023 To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Harm Reduction Victoria and DanceWize: HardMission 2023 Medical Episodes Media Statement 08.01.2024 Sione Crawford, Harm Reduction Victoria CEO said, “In the absence of a legal drug-checking service in Victoria, DanceWize is one of the only ways to help keep people safe when they take illicit drugs at festivals in our state, but we already stretch ourselves to keep up with demand.” DanceWize was contracted to provide peer-based harm reduction health promotion and a care space for patrons, for the HardMission event on Saturday the 6th of January. Our thoughts are with the people who were affected by the adverse health events, as well as their friends and family and the health care workers involved. None of the eight medical episodes that were escalated to critical care by the medical services involved the DanceWize service or volunteers. We work closely with medical services and it appears that this stressful circumstance was handled very well. Read Full Statement Here COMMUNITY ALERT ⚠️WARNING!!⚠️ Stronger than usual heroin seems to be in circulation across Narrm/metro Melbourne city and outer suburbs to the Geelong area. There have been multiple reports of very strong gear across all areas of Melbourne, and some from Geelong as well. ❗️ Please be careful and look after each other while using! . ❗️Check on anyone that you come across who appears to be passed out ( e.g. on the street, public transport etc. Please don't worry about waking or 'bothering' someone if you could be saving their life! ❗️CALL 000 IMMEDIATELY if you can not wake them. WHAT DOES OPIOID OVERDOSE LOOK LIKE? 🔵discoloured skin (blue or ashen/grey), often around the mouth 😮💨shallow or slowed breathing (less than 12 breaths per minute) 🥶cold, clammy skin 🤮vomit or choking 😴snoring/gurgling (sometimes called a “death rattle”) 😵UNRESPONSIVE or NO CLEAR RESPONSE #drugalert #heroin #communityPSA #carrynaloxone #stopoverdose DRUG CHECKING: VIC DRUG LAW REFORM 77 agencies want a drug checking system in Victoria -aligning with 4 Victorian coronial findings. This will save lives and provide vital information on potentially harmful adulterants that may be in substances prior to consumption. #drugchecking #harmreduction #sayknowtodrugs #wedeservetochoose #drugcheckinginvictoria #druglawreform The statement can be found here from 8.30am Monday 23 October: READ HERE In Solidarity. OCT 25.2023: Statement of Support of DULF & Condemnation of DULF founders sudden arrest FULL STATEMENT July 5, 2023 Expressions Of Interest EOIs CLOSED 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: Mental Health – Consumers Mental Health – Family & Carers AOD – Consumers AOD – Family & Carers 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 DOWNLOAD .PDF 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 > MORE INFO 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 OVERDOSES KEEP ON KILLING US- IT'S TIME TO CHANGE Harm Reduction Victoria PUBLIC STATEMENT 31 AUGUST Intl. Overdose Awareness Day READ HERE DOWNLOAD Complete IOAD Rally 2022 Promo Kit Incl. social media tiles, posters, flyer and FB profile frame Download .zip DOWNLOAD Flyer ONLY .pdf to print Download Poster pdf 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. READ MORE 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.

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 Behind The Scenes The Stigma Project- Behind The Scenes Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied

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.

Harm Reduction Victoria is a community based, not-for-profit organisation. Our membership, staff and supporters include current and former people who use drugs. An Authentic Voice Of & For Victorians Who Use Drugs HARM REDUCTION VICTORIA PEER LED HARM REDUCTION: EDUCATION. ADVOCACY. OUTREACH. ADVICE. SUPPORT. INFORMATION. TRAINING. Some of HRVic's Projects & Programs All of HRVic's projects, programs, peer workshops, worker training, events and happenings are peer led- meaning that they are all led by people with living and lived experience of substance use and whatever that project involves ie. stigma or opioid dependance treatment or BBV testing/treatment or overdose. This is what makes all that HRVic does unique from other orgs/services that may provide a similar service. #nothingaboutuswithoutus PAMS- Pharmacotherapy Advocacy Mediation & Support A phone only service for people on pharmacotherapy (opioid dependancy treatment (ODT) who need assistance or mediation to navigate and/or remain on the program within Victoria. DanceWIze P2P Festival & Event care services On site roving & outreach Peer Led harm reduction training for event service providers & workers Health Promotion & Education Free face to face and online workshops for people who use drugs and training for service workers who work with PWUD. Training and workshops currently available: Blood Borne Virus Prevention, Testing and Treatment (hepatitis, HIV, infection control) Overdose (Opioids, Stimulants and other substance) -Recognise & Respond Naloxone Administration training Stigma & Discrimination VIEW ALL PROGRAMS Resources HRVic's harm reduction and safer using resources available for you: *Substance Information *Naloxone *Overdose Response *BBV Prevention & Treatment Order Print On Demand or Download .pdfs Find Here Harm Reduction Victoria acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the original and continued Custodians of these beautiful, unceded Lands and Waters that nourish and inspire us - where we live and work. We pay our respects to the Culture and to Elders - past and present. GET UP. STAND UP. SHOW UP. HRVic is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and is a proud supporter and ally of all communities- and recognise that people who use drugs come from all cultures, all ethnicities, all genders, all economic 'classes' and all mental and physical abilities. “Dance fused us, magical and cleansing. We were all in a swirl of color and light. It was like a rainbow,” said Baker. “A rainbow. That’s the moment when I knew exactly what kind of flag I would make.” Gilbert Baker worked tirelessly to ensure that the rainbow flag would become a universally recognised, global emblem of the LGBTQIA+ community and its proud legacy. The original 1978 flag initially had a total of eight stripes, each one symbolising an aspect of the LGBTQIA+ movement. The rainbow flag became synonymous with the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community and our struggles. These included pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for magic and art, indigo for serenity, and violet for spirit. This iconic symbol and its evolution have become an intrinsic part of LGBTQIA+ identity, culture, politics and society.