DRUG DIVERSION STUDY TOUR ANNIE MADDEN EXECUTIVE OFFICER AUSTRALIAN INJECTING AND ILLICIT DRUG USERS LEAGUE (AIVL)

Transcription

1 DRUG DIVERSION STUDY TOUR ANNIE MADDEN EXECUTIVE OFFICER AUSTRALIAN INJECTING AND ILLICIT DRUG USERS LEAGUE (AIVL)

2 Overview Who is AIVL? Drug User Networks globally Nothing about us without us why is MIPUD important? Drug treatment and diversion programmes from a user perspective

3 Who is AIVL? The Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League Peer-based organisation run by and for drug users National peak organisation representing state drug user organisations in Australia

4 Who is AIVL? AIVL has been in existence for 20 years. Spent first 10 years without any ongoing funding support as a voluntary organisation. In 2010 AIVL is a well-regarded organisation both in Australia and internationally. AIVL has consistently demonstrated that drug users can run highly effective, transparent and accountable organisations. AIVL represents a unique and critical perspective

5 What does AIVL do? Some examples: Represents the perspective of people who use drugs to government, researchers, national committees, services, media, etc. Prevent the transmission of blood borne viruses such as HIV and hep C amongst people who injecting drugs including developing peer education resources and campaigns about harm reduction. Provides advocacy, training and development on issues related to drug use such as hepatitis C, HIV and drug policy.

6 Drug User Networks globally International INPUD International Network of People who Use Drugs Regional ANPUD Asian Network of People who Use Drugs National AIVL, PKNI, NUNN, ASUD

7 Nothing about us without us As an international network we our main goal is the meaningful involvement of people who use drugs MIPUD Why MIPUD? We have unique expertise and experiences and have a VITAL ROLE to play in responding to the health, social, legal and research policies that affect us. We have the right to MEANINGFULLY PARTICIPATE in decision making on issues affecting us.

8 Nothing about us without us Why should we care about MIPUD? People who use drugs are not faceless, nameless people. We are not just collateral damage from the war on drugs we are people. We are part of communities all over the world. We who have contributions to make to those communities if we are allowed to make them. We are people who other people care about. We are your sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. For all of these reasons we should care moreabout how people who use drugs are treated.

9 Why is MIPUD important? People who use drugs are among the most vilified and demonized groups in society. We have been hit hard by the epidemics of HIV and hepatitis C. We are regularly excluded from the decisions that affect our lives.

10 Why is MIPUD important? We suffer oppression and human rights abuses in countries waging a war against drugs which too often turns into a war against people who use drugs. We are often sent to prison or to compulsory detoxification and rehabilitation, instead of having access to the evidence-based treatment programmes we need.

11 Drug Treatment & Diversion Drug treatment works best for us when: It is voluntary Choice in treatment options People are part of setting their goals/outcomes It s supportive - not punitive It s flexible not restrictive It is free or affordable People are treated with respect, dignity and without judgement It is holistic other health/social issues managed HIV, hep C, TB, endocarditis, legal, housing, etc.

12 Prison or programs? Diversion not new, in operation for decades Police discretion (warnings, fines, cautions, compulsory education/treatment) Court diversion (bail, suspended sentencing, conferencing, MERIT, drug courts, circle sentencing, etc.) More focused on therapeutic outcomes diverting into drug treatment rather than out of criminal justice system.

13 Prison or programs? Diversion can achieve dual goals of diverting people intodrug treatment and outof prisons but there are some critical issues: Diversionary measures must be accessible Criteria and requirements for programs must not lock out the most marginalised drug users (excluding certain offences, requiring people to plead guilty, compulsory or coercive treatment) If diverting into drug treatment must ask: what is treatment? is it evidence-based, flexible, is it a better option than prison? OR...

14 Drug treatment

15 Expanding Diversion... Heroin substitution programs in UK, Switzerland, Canada, Germany: improved social functioning reduced criminal activity significant positive health & social impact (employment, housing, etc) Supervised injecting facilities creating safe spaces in the name of harm reduction: significant impact on drug-related overdose improved social and public amenity

16 Beyond Diversion? Decriminalisation (beyond the limitations of diversion): Australia in addition to police diversion cannabis law reform -ACT & SA civil penalties rather than criminal offences. Portugal decriminalisation of small amounts of previously illicit substances for personal use (up to 10 days of supply) not legalisation but removal criminalisation and its most harmful impacts; Growing, dealing or trafficking in illicit substances remain criminal offences.

17 The evidence is in... There has not been an explosion of illicit drug use in Australia due to minor cannabis reform In Portugal evaluation has shown: significant reductions in drug-related public health problems decreases in heroin use; increases in drug treatment uptake; associated decreases in drug related deaths and levels of HIV and hepatitis C infections. decriminalisation has directly led to increases in the scale of treatment and prevention activities

18 The evidence is in... In relation to the reforms in Portugal it has been said: The nightmare scenarios predicted before the process of law reform have not occurred in reality. Indeed public support for the new law is so strong there is no real debate about whether drugs and the people who use them should once again be criminalised. The evidence is in and it shows that steps to remove criminalisation can equal reductions in HIV transmission a goal we all want to achieve!

19 THANK YOU Annie Madden AIVL Executive Officer