further information

peer-based user organisations
other organisations and helplines

There are many organisations that can provide support to drug and alcohol users. Contact details for many of them are given in this Directory (in particular see Chapter 15, Quick Guide).

To find out more about drug use, available treatments and harm minimisation, call DirectLine on 9416 1818 (local call) or 1800 888 236 (toll free).

peer-based user organisations

VIVAIDS
RaveSafe
Pharmacotherapy Advocacy, Mediation and Support Service (PAMS)

Drug user organisations are known as 'peer-based' services, which means they are organisations run by and for those who identify as illicit drug users. Such organisations are usually membership based and support a community development and harm reduction philosophy. They frequently focus on the delivery of peer-based information, education and advocacy.

Almost every state and territory around Australia has some form of drug user group or organisation. The Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users' League (AIVL) is a national organisation based in Canberra. AIVL has a website containing information about harm reduction at www.aivl.org.au.

Peer-based organisations base their health education and advocacy upon the following concepts:

people who are disenfranchised from society (through illegal or socially unacceptable behaviours) often do not respond to messages or education delivered through the mainstream (because they have been ostracised from it previously);
subcultures within society develop rituals and language unique to the subculture;
people's identification as part of a group is a significant motivating factor in behaviour change;
effective education is dependent upon the message's level of credibility and acceptability to the group; and
people are more likely to listen to their peers than to an outsider, particularly within disenfranchised communities (because of issues of trust, belief, culture, language and rituals).

VIVAIDS

VIVAIDS (the Victorian Drug User Organisation) is a peer-based, state-wide organisation that represents the interests of injecting and other illicit drug users. VIVAIDS has a membership made up of current users, ex-users and people who agree with VIVAIDS' aims and objectives. The organisation is non-judgmental, promotes a philosophy of harm reduction and provides information and peer education (including advocacy and referral) on issues affecting drug users' health and well-being. It also produces a community magazine called Whack, written for and by drug users.

VIVAIDS provides specific education programs targeting drug overdose prevention and management, Hepatitis C prevention and treatment, safer partying and party drug use, young people and drugs, as well as providing advocacy, mediation and support specifically for those on pharmacotherapy programs (i.e. methadone, subutex and suboxone). For further information contact VIVAIDS.

VIVAIDS

128 Peel Street, North Melbourne, 3051

Ph: 9329 1500

Fax: 9329 1500

Email: vivaids@vivaids.org.au

RaveSafe

RaveSafe is a program of VIVAIDS. RaveSafe provides peer-based information, education and resources to reduce the risks of illicit drug use in the dance party, rave and outdoor festival scene. The RaveSafe team attends raves/dance parties to provide a safe chill-out space where partygoers can sit, relax and chat with peer educators about party drugs, safer partying, safer sex issues, drug interactions and other related health issues. RaveSafe peer educators can assist and reassure partygoers who are feeling unwell, anxious or freaked out by a drug experience, referring to medical treatment including first aid where appropriate. The RaveSafe team also provide fruit, earplugs, condoms and lube, up-to-date drug information, and are trained in crisis management and intervention. RaveSafe also conducts venue audits and information sessions for promoters and event organisers on the provision of safer dance parties.

For more information email: ravesafe@vivaids.org.au

Pharmacotherapy Advocacy, Mediation and Support Service (PAMS)

PAMS is an advocacy service provided by VIVAIDS (the Victorian Drug User Organisation). PAMS can provide information, support, education and resources, as well as mediation and complaints-resolution for people on pharmacotherapy (methadone/buprenorphine) programs. PAMS services are also available to service providers, families and significant others of people on treatment.

For more information telephone: 1800 443 844 (free call, statewide).