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- DW_Volunteers | HRVic
Hailing from all over Victoria and all walks of life, DanceWize volunteers are bound by a shared passion for our music culture and harm reduction. We share a deep kinship with the festival, doof, EDM, and broader Victorian music communities. Together, we turn our love for the scene into peer-led support, sharing the knowledge, tools, and skills that empower our community to look out for one another and thrive on the dancefloor. Our living and lived experience provides a unique perspective and expertise that others in the event care space simply cannot offer. It is by working through that peer lens that we can offer deeper understanding and empathy to the community members we support before, during, and after events. We combine expert training with nonjudgmental care to support every festival patron honestly and safely. As a DanceWize Key Peer Educator (KPE), you will be offered a full induction and specialised harm reduction training from an authentic peer perspective. If this sound like you, find out more about the opportunities that Harm Reduction Victoria and its DanceWize program can offer you now. APPLY HERE
- D.O.P.E/ Melbourne/ Harm Reduction Victoria
Drug overdose peer education for drug users and staff who work with people who use drugs. Program of Harm Reduction Victoria OVERDOSE. What is an overdose? An overdose happens when a toxic amount of a drug or a combination of drugs causes a severe adverse reaction. This can happen because too much is taken or because of mixing different substances. This includes alcohol. Combining drugs increases the chances of overdose. Types of Overdose Different substances / types of substances and their overdose symptoms. Stimulant Overdose Stimulants include: Methamphetamine or ice, and Amphetamines incl. dexamphetamine or speed, Cocaine, Caffeine, etc. Some signs of a stimulant drug overdose are: increase in body temperature/overheating muscle cramps/ spasms /headaches chest pains/ heart attack seizures very large pupils rapid/irregular pulse rapid breathing/breathing problems confusion psychosis / delusions/ paranoia / hallucinations overwhelming sense of dread Depressant Overdose Depressants include: Opioids incl. heroin, nitazenes*,oxycodone, codeine, methadone and buprenorphine, Benzodiazepines, Barbituates, Tranquilizers and Alcohol Some signs of a depressant drug overdose are: vomiting being unresponsive, but awake limp body pale and/or clammy face bluish fingernails and/or lips shallow or erratic breathing, or not breathing at all slow or erratic pulse (heartbeat) choking sounds or a gurgling noise loss of consciousness death Psychadelic Overdose Psychadelics include: LSD, psilocybin(magic mushrooms), DMT, 2C-b and other 2C analogues, Ayahuasca, Mescaline Some of the perceived harms of psychedelics – for example, that they lead to addiction and are neurotoxic – are largely refuted by research of the past decades. Other risks, such as the risks of psychotic episodes or overdose, are rare and only reported in individual cases. TO BE CONTINUED. RECOGNISE OVERDOSE SIGNS OPIOID APPEARANCE •Clammy or cold skin •Blue lips or nails •Pinpoint pupils •Body limp ACTIONS •Slow or no breaths •Unusual snoring or gurgling •Choking CONSCIOUSNESS •Can’t talk or walk •Can’t stay awake •Won’t wake up •Unresponsive LEARN ABOUT NALOXONE HERE GO TO NALOXONE PAGE NYXOID- naloxone nasal spray Play Video naloxone ampoules HD Play Video NYXOID- naloxone nasal spray Play Video naloxone ampoules HD Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close The Take Home Naloxone Program The Take Home Naloxone (THN) Programs aim is to make the temporary opioid reversal medicine, naloxone, free and available without a prescription to people who are at risk of, or who may witness, an opioid overdose or adverse reaction. The 2022-23 Federal Budget included $19.6 million (over four years), for a national, ongoing THN Program. The program was initially piloted in New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia before being expanded to Victoria and the rest of the states from 1 July 2022.. Read More RECOGNISE the Symptoms AND RESPOND to Overdoses of Different Substances There is a risk of overdose with ANY substance. Here are a few different substances; How to Recognise overdose symptoms and How to Respond to them: CLICK on the Substance Recognise & Respond: Opioid Overdose Recognise & Respond: Stimulant Overdose Recognise & Respond to Hallucinogen Overdose Recognise & Respond to GHB Overdose Recognise & Respond to BenzoOverdose Recognise & Respond to Alcohol Overdose Straight Shooters Play Video Naloxone administration is childs play Play Video naloxone ampoules HD Play Video Straight Shooters Play Video Naloxone administration is childs play Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Close
- Training & Workshops | HRVic
TRAINING HRVic provide practical education & training from the unique peer-spective of people with living & lived experience of substance use. Naloxone Training- 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. HRVic’s naloxone training differs from other naloxone training in that you are being trained by someone with lived or living experience of injecting drug use and we insist on providing participants with our 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 inject opioids or the people who live with them. We do however understand the need for drug use to remain anonymous in the majority of cases 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 with NALOXONE (Duration: approx 40-45min) 4:30PM (AEST) SESSIONS on the 1st day of EVERY Month* UPCOMING DATES: 2026 Monday FEBRUARY 2nd 2026 Monday MARCH 2nd 2026 Wednesday APRIL 1st 2026 Friday MAY 1st 2026 Monday JUNE 1st 2026 Wednesday JULY 1st 2026 Monday AUGUST 3rd 2026 (*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 NALOXONE @ NIGHT (Duration: approx 40-45min) 8:00PM (AEST) SESSIONS on the third Wednesday of EVERY month UPCOMING DATES: 2026 Wednesday JANUARY 21st 2026 Wednesday FEB 18th 2026 Wednesday MARCH 18th 2026 Wednesday APRIL 15th 2026 Wednesday MAY 20th 2026 Wednesday JUNE 17th 2026 Wednesday JULY 15th 2026 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 JOIN SESSION Bloody Serious Facts REGISTER HERE OTHER TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE ON DEMAND Harm Reduction Victoria’s staff training and consumer workshops are unique opportunities to be presented with important substance and use information and education from the living/lived experience perspective. Training available includes: Safer Using - we can focus on a specific substance or can cover a more general range of substances Vein care ATS (amphetamine-type substances ) or Opioid Overdose -prevention, recognition & response Naloxone Administration Bloodborne Virus - Prevention, Transmission and Treatment A,B,C's of Hepatitis & HIV Stigma & Discrimination -To and From PWUD Substance-specific info sessions, Drug combinations, Gender Based Violence and Trauma Counsel and much more. Call the office for details. Blood Borne Viruses Delivered by facilitators with lived experience of BBVs. Training For: Consumers, or people who work with consumers Minimum delivery time: 1 hour Maximum delivery time: 3 hours Safer Using (General Use) For: Consumers, people who live/work with or support current consumers Minimum delivery time: 1 hour Maximum delivery time: 3 hours D.O.P.E (Drug Overdose Peer Education) Choose: Opioid or ATS (amphetamine-type substances) or other Poly Substances Overdose Training Training For: Consumers, loved ones & people who live or work with people who take opioid or ATS substances (incl. prescription meds) Minimum delivery time: 1 hour Maximum delivery time: 3 hours Safer Injecting & Vein Care For: Consumers, people who live/work with or support current consumers (injectors) Minimum delivery time: 1 hour Maximum delivery time: 3 hours Naloxone Administration HRVic insists on providing participants witha free naloxone kit at the completion of training. training. Delivered by people with personal experience of overdose. Training For: Consumers, loved ones & people who live or work with people who take opioid or ATS substances (incl. prescription meds) Minimum delivery time: 30 min. Maximum delivery time: 2 hours The Stigma Project Stigma & Discrimination For: Consumers, people who live/work with or support current consumers (injectors) Minimum delivery time: 1 hour Maximum delivery time: 3 hours Enquire Now *All our training is facilitated by trainers with lived or living experience of the topic. To enquire about any of the existing training or to create a session based on your particular needs, click the Enquire Now button above. Harm Reduction Victoria’s consumer workshops are unique opportunities to be presented with important substance and use information and education from the lived/living experience perspective. Training includes Safer Using, Vein Care, ATS (amphetamine-type substances) & Opioid overdose Prevention, Recognition & Response, Naloxone Administration, Bloodborne Virus Prevention, Transmission and Treatment, (HCV, HBV, HIV) Substance Specific Info Sessions and much, much more for people who use drugs, and people who work with people who use drugs.
- Harm Reduction Victoria(HRVic)/Melbourne/PAMS:Providers
HRVic's PAMS phone service provides info around Methadone/Suboxone/Subutex programs in Victoria PAMS FOR PHARMACOTHERAPY PROVIDERS We have the know-how you need. General Practitioners & Prescribers This section has been created to be a one-stop shop for pharmacotherapy providers. We have all the forms available or links to the forms for GPs here on our website. (including permits, resources & links to research & documents of interest etc) PAMS is funded to work on any pharmacotherapy, client-related issue or concern. PAMS provides short-term case management until the primary problem or issue of concern has been resolved. Please note, we do not work with patients who are on other S8 opioids – unless they wish to start a pharmacotherapy program. GP’s can contact PAMS or refer a pharmacotherapy patient if: You feel it's essential to start a patient on the program today, however, they don't have the money to pay for the first dose / few doses You have a patient who is re-starting a program and can't locate a dispensing point (possibly due to a poor track record in terms of payment or behaviour, or because there are no vacancies or because there are no service providers where the patient resides) You've had to terminate a patient from their pharmacotherapy program with your service and you would like PAMS to source a new GP prescriber You have a pharmacotherapy patient who informs you that they are not able to continue dosing at their current pharmacy (for whatever reason) and a new dosing point needs to be sourced asap You have the capacity to take on more pharmacotherapy patients You are retiring or leaving your current practice and need to find vacancies with other GP prescribers for some of your pharmacotherapy patients You have a problem with a specific pharmacotherapy patient or group of patients (that has not been mentioned above) and you think we might be able to help You have a patient or number of patients who are express concern about an aspect of their pharmacotherapy program and you feel this needs to be reported You need an independent third party (PAMS worker) to help negotiate a treatment agreement for a patient who has been difficult to manage in your clinic If you have a pharmacotherapy client related problem and you are unsure how we can help, give us a call. If we can’t assist, we will point you in the right direction. PAMS operates 11AM to 5PM , Monday to Friday via a state-wide telephone number PH: 1800 443 844. Please LEAVE A DETAILED MESSAGE on the answering machine after hours or if the phone is engaged. One of our busy staff will return your call as soon as they become available. (Please don't forget your name and phone number) LINKS & FORMS for GPs NEED MORE PAMS PROMO MATERIAL? Fill in the form below to receive more PAMS promotional material. Please allow 7-14 days for delivery.
- LATEST NEWS | HRVic
CALL PAMS 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 and METHAMPHETAMINE Heroin is an opioid that can produce life-threatening toxic effects – especially if you don’t usually use opioids! Opioids are central nervous system depressants that produce effects including pain relief, sedation and respiratory depression (slowed breathing). Small amounts of opioids can cause life-threatening overdose in people who have never or rarely used opioids. 👉Heroin is a very different substance from cocaine, although it often appears in a similar white powdered form. Cocaine produces stimulant effects, where as heroin produces sedative effects. Using heroin with depressants such as alcohol, GHB or benzodiazepines (such as Xanax or Valium) increases the risk of overdose. Opioid effects look VERY different to stimulants like cocaine or meth when taken. Nodding off or falling ‘asleep’, pin-point pupils, nausea and vomiting are immediate signs of opioid ingestion.😴🥴🤢 Signs of opioid OVERDOSE to watch for: 👀👀 -Slow, shallow or stopped breathing -Snoring, choking or gurgling sounds -Unresponsive or hard to wake up -Blue (or grey) lips and fingernails -Pale, cold or clammy skin -Slow or irregular pulse If you feel any of these effects or experience other negative effects after having any substance, CALL 000 immediately. What to do if someone you know is overdosing? Give the person Naloxone if you have it. If they are NOT breathing- lay them on their back, tilt head, pinch nose and give 2 quick breaths. If they start breathing, lay them on their side in the recovery position. If they dont start breathing, REPEAT the process until they are conscious: Naloxone then rescue breaths. Stay with the person until help arrives. Reduce your risk of harm by: -Avoid using alone. Be around someone you trust to help out if things go sideways. -Start Low, go slow. - Start with a small amount-wait til you feel the effects before having more. -Carry Naloxone. Always. Everywhere. Regardless of what you think you are taking. -Test your gear. You only need a tiny bit to test.Make sure you know what youre taking. Come get your FREE naloxone kit from the HRVic NSP (needle and syringe program) on weekdays between 11am-5pm. #harmreduction #harmreductionsaveslives #drugalert #DrugAlert #naarmmelbourne 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!! Opening hours for the coming weeks are: Thursday 12pm - 4pm Friday 3pm - 7pm Saturday 1pm - 7pm 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 ‘Mind-boggling’: Victorian outreach workers decry double standard for lifesaving overdose drug naloxone MONDAY 12.08.2024, The Guardian 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 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 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 A pink and white capsule sold as ‘3C-P’ in Melbourne contains the potent opioid protonitazene. The Department of Health has issued a new Drug Alert about a pink and white capsule or white powder sold as ‘3C-P’ or in Melbourne containing the potent opioid protonitazene. Opioids are central nervous system depressants, typically producing a range of effects including pain relief, sedation and respiratory depression (dangerously slow breathing). Respiratory depression often appears more quickly with novel synthetic opioids (NSOs), increasing the risk of life-threatening overdose. Protonitazene is an extremely potent NSO, which means it can produce strong effects in very small amounts. There has been one serious recent hospitalisation in Victoria associated with this pink and white capsule. Due to the potency of NSOs, the product produces strong adverse opioid effects such as loss of consciousness, respiratory depression, and life-threatening hypoxia (insufficient oxygen for normal functioning). It’s important to know the signs of opioid overdose and to carry naloxone to reverse opioid overdose . HRVic has naloxone available for FREE from our NSP at 299-305 Victoria St Brunswick. We can also do one on one training with you if you don't know how to use. Or check out o ur info on naloxone on our 'Recognise & Respond to Overdose' page. 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.
- SUBUTEX | HRVic
Subutex is the less widely used of two buprenorphine formulations available to opiate pharmacotherapy consumers in Victoria, (Suboxone being the other). Subutex is a mono-formulation of buprenorphine available in 0.4, 2 & 8mg sub-lingual tablets. It was the first buprenorphine product to become available in Victoria, but has been largely superseded by Suboxone (a buprenorphine/naloxone formulation.) The presence of the opiate antagonist naloxone in Suboxone makes it less attractive than Subutex to clients who may wish to divert their dose with intention of injecting it. Because of the harms associated with this practice, doctors are less willing to prescribe Subutex and take away doses are only available in a handful of circumstances. Subutex tablets are placed beneath the tongue, where they are absorbed directly into the blood-stream through the mucous membrane. Clients on low doses sometimes find Subutex preferable because the 0.4mg tablet can allow for more accurate dosing. Basic Pharmacology of Buprenorphine Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. It binds strongly to the same receptors as other opiates, but stimulates them only weakly, producing very little of an opiate effect. Once the buprenorphine molecule is locked onto the receptor, it remains there much longer than other opiates like heroin and methadone. If such drugs are taken while on buprenorphine, their effects will be much reduced. Buprenorphine’s affinity for the receptor is powerful enough to displace opiates like heroin and methadone. For this reason, the initial dose of buprenorphine should be low (i.e. < 8mg) and, ideally, the client should be in the first stages of opioid withdrawal. If a dependent client takes a large dose of buprenorphine after recent use of heroin – or before the onset of withdrawal – the buprenorphine can precipitate immediate and full withdrawal. This is an extremely unpleasant, uncomfortable experience to be avoided at all cost. The Ceiling Effect An interesting feature of buprenorphine is its ceiling effect. Up to a certain point, the more buprenorphine that is taken, the greater the opiate effect. Past that point, increasing the dose only results in a longer duration of action and no increased opiate effect. This means that some people can have their daily dose increased (usually doubled) and the dose will last for two days instead of one. This can be very useful for those who have difficulty reaching their dosing points, and can remove the need for take aways during the first month of treatment. Though scientific evidence is scant, this ceiling effect presumably varies with the individual. The maximum allowable dose of buprenorphine is 32mg. Injecting Subutex If another opiate – like heroin, methadone or oxycodone – is present in the system when Subutex is injected, precipitated withdrawal may result, as the opioid will be rapidly displaced from opiate receptors by the buprenorphine. Injecting Subutex carries serious health risks and is not recommended. If the medication is removed from the mouth prior to injection, these risks are compounded. For more information about the harms associated with injecting Subutex, please contact PAMS. Take Away Doses of Subutex There are no routine take away doses of Subutex, unless the consumer is: Pregnant and/or breast-feeding Has a documented allergy to the naloxone (present in Suboxone). Is on a dose of <2mg (this because a 0.4mg tablet of buprenorphine is available, but not in the combined buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone) formulation. If a person meets any of the above criteria, take away doses may be provided if the prescriber assesses the client as being stable and there are no other issues of concern. If you have any questions or want to discuss your individual situation, please contact PAMS PH: 1800 443 844.
- DrugHacks | HRVic
By people who use drugs for people who use drugs. Shared by community these are helpful tips and tricks to make your existing drug use harm free and happier. Drug Hacks Service Name This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content and make sure to add any relevant details or information that you want to share with your visitors. Service Name This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content and make sure to add any relevant details or information that you want to share with your visitors. Service Name This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content and make sure to add any relevant details or information that you want to share with your visitors. Service Name This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content and make sure to add any relevant details or information that you want to share with your visitors. Service Name This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content and make sure to add any relevant details or information that you want to share with your visitors. Service Name This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content and make sure to add any relevant details or information that you want to share with your visitors. Share your hacks with others Like what you see? Get in touch to learn more. First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!
- COVID19 & Methadone/Suboxone Treatment | HRVic
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
- ANNUAL REPORTS & STATEMENTS | HRVic
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.
- South East & M.Peninsula | HRVic
South East & Mornington Peninsula The huge South East area covers from Dandenong to Warneet to Druin to Narre Warren and back to Emerald. Until there are more to post we have added the Mornington Peninsula to this list also. 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. Dandenong pop-up clinic Palm Plaza (off Clow Street) Dandenong The Dandenong pop-up clinic will be open from 9am to 5pm daily, 7 days per week. No appointment is necessary, just turn up. Call beforehand to see if still open. Frankston Community Vaccination Hub Level 1, Balmoral Building, Shannon Mall, Bayside Shopping Centre Call for opening hours. Free parking is available for people getting vaccinated. Our staff will give you an exit pass to use as you leave. Please park in one of the Bayside Centre car parks. The closest parking is the undercover car park which can be accessed via Olsen Street St (off Beach St) or Balmoral St (off Young St). Coming Soon Stay tuned for more locations. Springvale City Hall 18 Grace Park Ave, Springvale. The clinic has been specially set up to cater to members of Springvale’s diverse communities, particularly those from South East Asia and Buddhist communities. Interpreters will be available, to assist people who speak Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Punjabi and Khmer. Call to see if still operating. Peninsula Health – Point Nepean Road Suite 5 – 1533 Point Nepean Road Capel Sound Walk-in capacity is available, however bookings are encouraged to ensure we are able to accommodate you on the day. Coming Soon Stay tuned for more locations. FIND A PHARMACY SOUTH EAST & MORNINGTON PENINSULA
- OVERDOSE | HRVic
DRUG OVERDOSE PEER EDUCATION (D.O.P.E) WORKSHOPS The DOPE project educates approximately 250 current drug users every year by means of 25 peer education workshops, which accommodate up to 10 participants per workshop. These workshops are held at a range of clinics, organisations and services attended by people who inject drugs. Although we try to target 250 new participants each year, there is also value in people coming back for a ‘refresher’ workshop. Our evaluation suggests that some people take longer to absorb the information and to feel confident enough to act on it. Each workshop goes for approx. 3 hours with short breaks and a meal provided. Some people say that the workshop is too long and they cringe at the thought of having to participate for “that long”. Yet more often than not, as I start to wrap things up, I hear those same people saying “is that it?” or “gee that went quick!” So, it is true that time really does fly when you are having fun. Here at HRVic, we are firm believers in the concept of ‘information overload’ and as such try hard not to cram everything into one workshop which is why our workshops are flexible. Once everyone has arrived at a workshop, we usually start with a quick discussion around what drugs the participants are using and what they already know about overdose. That way we can tailor the workshop to suit those present and make sure that the information is interesting and relevant. Done In 60 Seconds A fun 60 second 'How To' for Nyxoid nasal spray naloxone and Prenoxad injectable naloxone made for International Overdose Awareness Day 2021 for our social media accounts. A longer, less sped up version of each will be available on our youtube channel HRVic Oz.
- Nitazenes | HRVic
Nitazenes 2-benyzl-benzimadazoles 2-benyzl-benzimadazoles My Story This is your About page. This space is a great opportunity to give a full background on who you are, what you do and what your site has to offer. Your users are genuinely interested in learning more about you, so don’t be afraid to share personal anecdotes to create a more friendly quality. Every website has a story, and your visitors want to hear yours. This space is a great opportunity to provide any personal details you want to share with your followers. Include interesting anecdotes and facts to keep readers engaged. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want site visitors to know. If you’re a business, talk about how you started and share your professional journey. Explain your core values, your commitment to customers and how you stand out from the crowd. Add a photo, gallery or video for even more engagement. Contact I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect. info@mysite.com 123-456-7890



