JUNKIE MYTHBUSTERS

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JUNKIE MYTHBUSTERS

• Dayle Stubbs
• Australian Injecting Illicit Drug Users League
  (AIVL)

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Things You Probably Didnt Know You
Wanted to Know About Injecting Drug Users
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Overview

• Who is AIVL?
• What is Harm Reduction/Harm Minimisation?
• Why is AIVL Here Today?
• Busting some myths misconceptions
• Questions

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Who is AIVL

• Peak body for State Territory Drug User
  Organisations
• Issues of national significance for people who
  use/have used illicit drugs
• people who inject drugs
• people with drug dependencies
• people on opioid substitution programs
• people with drug-related comorbidities-
• mental health issues
• Hepatitis
• HIV/AIDS

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AIVL Philosophy

• The right to live free from stigma,
  discrimination and health human rights abuses
• People who use/have used illicit drugs have the
  requisite knowledge and right to speak on their
  own behalf about issues that affect them
• Peer Based, User Centred
• AIVL (and its members) - run by and for PWUID

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Harm Reduction

• Reducing harms associated with high risk
  activities

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Harm Reduction

• In Context
• Seat Belts
• Bicycle Helmets
• Swimming Pool Fencing

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Harm Reduction

• In relation to drug use
• Needle Syringe Programs (NSP)
• Overdose prevention
• BBV prevention treatment education
• Peer Education
• Peer Support

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Harm Reduction

• Meeting people where they are
• Not where youd like them to be
• Neither condemn nor condone drug use but accept
  that it occurs
• An emergency response to a major health crisis
• Providing opportunity to engage on other levels

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Harm Reduction

• Benefits of Peer Based Approaches
• Reduce spread of Blood Borne Viruses
• Reduce health costs for governments
• Peer based programs are the most cost effective
  way of providing information

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Harm Reduction

• Benefits of Peer Based Approaches
• Empower PWUID to improve health wellbeing
• Can improve relationships between PWUID their
  families
• Engenders sense of social responsibility
• builds self-esteem self-worth

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Why Am I Here?

• Welfare to Work Reform Collaboration
• National Mental Health Disability Employment
  Strategy
• Issue of linking mental illness/disability to
  drug use
• Do drug users really need the ADDITIONAL stigma
  and discrimination?

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Why Am I Here?

• People in the welfare system
• People with complex vulnerabilities
• Housing Stress/Homelessness
• Stress, Anxiety, Depression
• Other health problems (eg chronic Hepatitis C)
• Isolation and Social Exclusion
• Legal problems
• Constant stigma discrimination

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Whats in a Name?

• Problem of Identity Problem of Language
• People Who Use Illicit Drugs (PWUID)
• Or
• Drug Users?
• Does it really matter?

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The Crack Fox A Typical Drug User?
http//www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h0t
511751
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Drug Users Are

• People with families
• People with friends
• People with interests, likes and dislikes
• People with hopes and aspirations
• People with frailties and vulnerabilities
• People with strengths and resilience

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Drug Users Are

• People just like YOU

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1. Missing Appointments

• ASSUMPTION Drug users are lazy and
  irresponsible, they just dont show up they
  just dont care
• But, it could be
• No money to get there no phone credit to let
  you know
• Childcare problems (lack of social support)
• Personal problems
• Other demands on their time (eg limited dosing
  times)
• Unexpected appointments of higher priority
  (legal, medical)

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1. Missing Appointments

• So, what else might be behind missed
  appointments?
• Shame
• Fear of reprisals

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2. Difficult in Interviews

• ASSUMPTION Drug users are evasive and lie to
  avoid work
• Why might people lie?
• Consequences of telling the truth
• Protecting others

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2. Difficult in Interviews

• ASSUMPTION Drug users are evasive and lie to
  avoid work
• Why might people lie?
• Pride
• Acceptance and Approval
• Dont want to let you down

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A Personal Story

• Jemma

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Tips for Service Providers

• People who use drugs are PEOPLE first and
  foremost
• Same emotions and needs as other people
• Pride, Respect, Acceptance
• Adopt a harm reduction approach
• meet people where they are
• not where youd like them to be

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Questions

• dayles_at_aivl.org.au
• www.aivl.org.au