JackBack

BY USERS 4 USERS

Published by Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation & Advocacy

JANUARY CAHMA invites you to a 7th

FEBRUARY Liver 4th

MARCH Friendly 3rd

APRIL Lunch 7th

MAY Come and learn how easy it can be to prepare 5th food your liver will love you for! JUNE 1st

st JULY 1 Wed of 7th every month 1PM AUGUST 4th

SPTEMBER Someone from the Hepatitis C Council 1st will be present at every lunch to help answer any questions you may have OCTOBER about Hep C 6th

NOVEMBER 3rd CAHMA

Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation & Advocacy DECEMBER Room G33, the rear of the Griffin Centre, Bunda St, Civic 1st [02] 6262 5295 || [email protected]

JackBack UNDER THE COVER

Features AIVL’s Web Forums: A Place of our own p4 CAHMA stuff p5 Pick Your Pleasure: opioid based maintenance Treatment options for heroin dependence p8 Memorial page p16 Code Blue p18 Family Services? P19

Regular Word from the editor p2 To be Herd or HEARD p3 Ask Ms Fit p6 Pen to Paper - Users stuff p12 Vein Vanity - keeping ’em fit p22 Tip the Scales in your Favour - Security Guards p24 Handy Numbers p25 Fits:- where 2 get ‘em p26

JackBack welcomes YOUR Suggestions, contributions and comments contact details back cover

The contents of JackBack do not necessarily represent the views of CAHMA. CAHMA does not judge people who choose to use illicit drugs and welcomes contributions which express opinions and raise issues of concern for people who use or who have used illicit drugs. CAHMA does not advocate unlawful activities nor the use of illicit drugs. CAHMA accepts no responsibility for, and excludes all liability in connection with the content of JackBack including without limitation liability for omissions, typographical errors, or inaccuracies. While not intending to censor or change meaning, CAHMA reserves the right to edit articles for length, grammar and clarity. The distribution of this publication is targeted – JackBack is not intended for general distribution. Thanks go to all those who contributed, you know who you are and you rock! a WORD from the EDITOR

Dear JackBack readers, Welcome to another issue of JackBack! This issue , the fifth so far , has had a few delays due to staff changes and taken a few months to get out but were back into it and there will be more to follow. CAHMA has received lots of positive feedback from users about JackBack so we’re keen to continue with it.

This issue contains a piece on The AIVL web forums. AIVL is the national drug user organisation and the forums can be very interesting. If you don’t have a computer or internet connection you can come into CAHMA and use the one we have. Workers at CAHMA can help you get on the net.

There is also an article introducing the new position at CAHMA, the Treatments Support Worker, so have a read and see if it’s useful to you. As part of the treatments theme there is a feature article on different opioid-based treatments available to people with an opiate dependence.

“Family Services ?” is a feature article about…. You guessed it, Family Services. We have a bit of experience in dealing with Family Services so feel free to give us a ring or come in for some support.

Of course no issue of JackBack would be complete without “Pen to Paper—Users Words”. You too can be part of JackBack by writing or drawing about your experiences, thoughts or knowledge, so please do! Included in this section is a memorial page for some of our friends who have, sadly, passed away.

Don’t miss “Vein Vanity” and “Tip the Scales In Your Favour”—these regular pieces are based on feedback CAHMA receives so if you’ve got a suggestion or information that’s relevant, drop us a line.

Hope you enjoy this issue….. and don't forget, you can be part of future issues by sending in any articles, artwork, stories, poems or comments to CAHMA, … the contact details are on the back cover.

The editor xox

TUESDAYS @ 11AM ‘News from the Drug War Front’ on 2XX 98.4FM Community Radio

Keep abreast of the latest news from Australia and around the world on the results of the “WAR ON DRUGS”.

And listen out for info messages from CAHMA We started this as a regular article a few issues back so that we could inform people of the different behind the scenes work that CAHMA does and the results or outcomes from this that impact on users To lives. If we could make some of these committees sound exciting then some Jackback readers/CAHMA service users might feel inspired to get involved with one of the committees or a specific issues being addressed by one of the committees. Sometimes they can be dry and boring meetings but there are also some truly exciting happenings such as a hydromorphone trial being considered. This was the result of Be long, boring meetings but was well worth the effort. It’s a good example of how lobbying strategies can get positive things happening.

TOP- The Opiate Program herd [moo] This committee overseas the Opiate Project which, as described in the information pamphlet, “is a clini- cal service based within general practice, which aims to improve the care and treatment of people who are experiencing problems with opiates in the community”. The TOP Nurses will assist with a medical home-detox by being part of a consultation with yourself and your doctor. Your doctor prescribes medi- cation to assist with the detox and a nurse will meet you each day to give you your medication and to see how you are doing. They will assist with non-medicated home-detox and can help out with other prob- lems related to opiate use. CAHMA has information pamphlets and can help out with info or referral to TOP. Working in collaboration, CAHMA and TOP have been able to secure some funding for Hepatitis B Vaccina- tions to happen at CAHMA. We are hoping for this to start by February next year. The hold up with this is finding a Dr who can visit and write the scripts for the vaccinations. We are hoping that this will expand into a general health care sessions where people can come along and get there questions on health Or issues answered, get assistance with other health problems and receive advice and referrals for specif- ic problems. Hepatitis B vaccinations are particularly important if you have Hepatitis C as your liver is already under strain and possibly suffered some damage and a dose of Hepatitis B will make these prob- HEARD lems worse. If you would like more info on this please feel free to ring or drop in. We would encourage anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated against Hepatitis B to utilize this important preventative measure. These vaccinations will be provided free of charge. When we secure a Dr for these sessions we will let everyone know dates and times through the radio show, posters at CAHMA and word of mouth.

Opiate Treatment Advisory Committee – OTAC (this committee used to be called MAC- Methadone Advisory Committee) The name change for this committee comes from the program being responsible for both methadone and bupe. A couple of important issues have been on the agenda for this committee. One being the fact that Bupe takeaways have been cancelled and the second being that a consumer rep was needed for the commit- tee. Bupe takeaways are back. Yeah. This has been a fantastic win for bupe consumers. Unfortunately, Bupe consumers who have alternate day dosing are at this stage still not able to get TA’s as it was argued by other committee members that this provided flexibility and therefore TA’s were not necessary. CAHMA CAHM and the consumer rep argued that bupe consumers were being disadvantaged by not getting TA’s while methadone consumers were able to get TA’s. Considering that Bupe was such a long time in coming as an alternative to methadone that any barriers to this treatment would discourage potential consumers or maybe force people back onto methadone. This is not in the best interest of consumers to have their choices limited back to the bad old days of only one option, methadone. If you are on Bupe and do not A raises have your TA’s back you can contact your prescriber. If you are still having problems please contact CAHMA and we can advocate on your behalf to have your TA’s reinstated. If you are on alternate day dosing but think that you also deserve to have TA’s please contact CAHMA so we can represent your concerns to the committee. user Consumer rep- CAHMA held information days on the position of a consumer rep for this committee and lots of people showed up to express interest. The position has now been formalized at the last meeting. If you are interested in having a say in the committee or issues raised it is possible, and encouraged for all methadone and bupe consumers. We need to have a wide range of views to make sure that the input issues provided is truly representative of as many methadone and bupe consumers. We also hold regular con- sultation days with staff from the methadone/bupe clinic. The next consultation days are the Tue 26th Oct & Tue 7th Dec both at 2.00 pm at the CAHMA office. Theses provide a great opportunity for consum- ers to have face to face talks with staff from the clinic and have input into any areas that you think can be improved. These consultation days have been extremely successful for both parties and we hope they will continue to be productive and useful to all involved. 3 AIVL’s Web Forums: A place of our own By Charles Roberts, AIVL IT Coordinator

AIVL—The Australian National injecting and illicit drug users league, is the peak body for drug user organizations. AIVL is run by and for drug users

The purpose of this article is to provide you with (or survey) questions as well as the ability to send information about AIVL’s Web Forums so as to personal messages to the other registered users encourage you to register to use the forums if of the forums: those are more advanced features you have not already done so and to use the that you may come to use over time once you web forums more regularly if you have already are more familiar with web forums. registered. First, I’ll start with a short description of what Web Forums are and then I’ll talk more With the AIVL Web Forums in particular, which specifically about the purpose and function of you can find by visiting www.aivl.org.au/forum/, AIVL’s Web Forums. there are various types of forum: those where you can participate in discussion once you are For those familiar with email lists, a web forum is registered – such as the Dance Drugs Forum and a bit like a mailing list but instead of receiving a the General Discussion Forum – and those that plethora of emails in your inbox every day, you are merely for information purposes – such as visit a site on the web to see what people have Media Releases and Web Site Updates. posted of late and to see if there is anything you might wish to add. The General Discussion Forum is the longest running discussion forum on the AIVL Web Similar to mailing lists, web forums are usually Forums and there have been a whole range of grouped around topics. There are web forums issues posted to date. There have been requests on topics as diverse as Cannabis cultivation, web about where and how to get specific sized site design, peer support for a whole range of needles for specific body types as well as a user issues and yes, there are even web forums about looking for help for a partner with a habit. It’s web forums. great to see that there are drug users online who are happy to provide their advice, support and You can think of web forums, if you are experience to others. There have also been a unfamiliar with email lists, as a bit like a bulletin whole range of posts relating to drug law reform board at your local community shop where in Australia in its various forms as well as people put up notices about various meetings, discussion about the situation for drug users in projects and items for sale. The difference with a Thailand. web forum is that you can then make comments on the items (called posts in the web forum Most recently, the Dance Drugs Forum has been world) that others make and they can then added to the forums such that dance drug users comment on your comment. who are interested in health, human rights and organising can participate within the structure of One of the advantages of web forums is that it is AIVL. After an earlier attempt with an email list easier to see – at a glance – what has been said went awry, we are hoping that this forum gets both before and after your own posts. With many more dance drug users involved with the email lists, if you bother to keep an archive at all, work of AIVL. you may have to bury through sub-folder after sub-folder to find what it was that was said So, if you haven’t registered – and you get to originally. With web forums, all of the pick your own User Name – mine’s WebMaster – information is there on the web, accessible please visit the AIVL Web Forums and register quickly by keyboard and mouse. today. If you have registered – visit the forums and see what’s been posted since your last visit. Some web forums have a variety of other functions, such as calendars and regular polling See you on the web! WebMaster

4 CAHMA—THE CANBERRA ALLIANCE FOR HARM MINIMISATION AND ADVOCACY HAVE YOUR SAY! IMPROVE METHADONE & BUPRENORPHINE SERVICES

CAHMA wants to hear from people on Methadone or Bupe. We are working with clinic staff to improve services provided by the clinic and dosing pharmacies. This is your chance to have your say and provide your input to help to improve services for everyone. If you have suggestions on how things could be improved, things that you think could be done differently etc., we want to know! Tell us what you think … Meet with clinic staff At CAHMA 26th Oct 2pm

7th Dec 2pm

KNOW HOW, KNOW NOW Sessions at CAHMA are informal, discussion-based and the knowledge of those who come is always valued

OCT TUE 19th 2PM Healthy Relationships

NOV TUE 2nd 2PM Hepatitis C Treatments! What’s new

TUE 16th 2PM Suboxone! New Bupe treatment with Narcan

TUE 23rd 2PM Safer Injecting! Pill filters, Butterflies etc

DEC TUE 14th 2PM Methadone & Bupe! How the Program works 5 JUST ASK MS FIT!!!

JackBack’s new advice lady, Ms Fit, is available to be questioned in each issue, address your questions to “Ms Fit” PO Box 78, Braddon, ACT, 2612. You can also drop your question in the “Ask Ms Fit” box at CAHMA.

Dear Ms Fit, Dear Ms Fit, Look for veins when you’re not Can you contract the AIDS virus I have a lot of scarring up my arms from having a shot, this will leave you [HIV] if you don’t have bleach but shooting up. This has been a real better prepared. The more muscle suck up, say 30 lines of alcohol, problem for summer and for trying to [and less fat] you have, the more from swabs, rinse with fresh water, look stunning in sleeveless frocks in the prominent your veins will be so you then pull the plunger out to expose evening. What can I do? I have used may wish to start on an exercise the fit to the air for 5 to 10 hirudoid ointment which clears up the regime. Heat also serves to raise your minutes? If you can’t see any blood, site and bruising but the scars are red, a veins, so take a shower or sit in a bath wouldn’t it be fairly safe? nuisance and look ugly. for while, apply a hot wash cloth to As I understand it, blood must flow the area or exercise. into your body before you get the Yours, Suzi Scarry. Tourniquets are wrapped around a virus. limb above the injection site to stop Dear Suzi Scarry, the blood and create a dam of sorts. I can see how you would think that There are alternatives to Hirudoid and Once you’ve put on the tourniquet, alcohol from swabs would kill HIV. there happens to be an article outlining tense and release your muscles over Swabs are used to clean an injection the alternatives on page 26. You can and over. Veins should become more site so you could be tempted to also use makeup to cover the scarring. visible fairly quickly. Remember to think that alcohol will effectively While it is not easily achieved for some, release the tourniquet after you jack clean a fit. The evidence does say using a different site each time you inject back, but before you inject. that HIV doesn’t do so well once it and giving each site 10 days to heal will Veins are generally close to the comes into contact with air [the leave you with very little or no scarring. surface of your skin, whereas arteries Hepatitis C virus is a lot more The closer you can come to this, the are usually deeper. If you jack back robust], however research has shown better off you will be. Remember: and the blood is bright red and that HIV can live in dried blood in prevention is better than NO CURE. frothy you have hit an artery. Failing a fit for up to 4 weeks. Love, Ms Fit. this symptom, injecting into an artery You are also correct that blood hurts, so if it feels different as you’re containing the HIV virus must Dear MS Fit, injecting, stop, withdraw, stem the come into contact with your blood I have lots of trouble finding a vein to bleeding and find a new injecting site. for you to be infected. However, shoot up in. I prefer to inject my drugs, Sometimes people push straight there only has to be microscopic but finding a vein, being sure it is a vein through the vein then come back into amounts of infected blood, which and keeping the needle in the vein rather it, think everything’s ok and continue you can’t see, to infect you. than popping my shot is a problem – injecting. However, some of the shot So what’s the answer to your help! will leak out of the vein and cause question? Well, alcohol may kill swelling. If this is what you mean by HIV but it won’t kill Hepatitis C. Ms Hitless. ‘popping your shot’ then it seems you Bleach is recommended if you have need to slow down and inject at a to clean a fit but even using bleach Dear MS Hitless, more shallow angle. Slow and steady does not eliminate the risk of viral The obvious solution to difficulties with is always best. If you come out of the transmission. If you are going to shooting up is to ingest your drugs in vein halfway through at least you re-use, rinse with water until you another way. Injecting can put you at have a good idea of where it is. Try can’t see any blood, soak in bleach risk of acquiring Hepatitis B and C, and adjusting the position again. If you’re for at least two minutes and rinse HIV. It can also lead to other medical not finding it either withdraw and with fresh water at least 6 times. complications like abscesses, phlebitis suck up a bit of water to ensure it’s Perhaps it is a good idea to get a few and infection. not clogged or blocked. If the fit’s more fits than you think you need. If you are still determined to inject then getting blunt put the rest of the shot Love, Ms Fit. you need to be able to raise a vein in a new fit. Hope this helps, enough that it is easy to see and feel. Love, Ms Fit.

6 CAHMA shapes up to TREAT you BETTER: …. meet the new TREATMENTS WORKER

There are hundreds of stories out there about how people went onto some sort of treatment inadequately educated about what they were in for, or how they were unjustly treated in “The System” and not given a chance or told how to defend themselves.

More often than not this happens because people are not being adequately educated to know their rights or doctors/clinics responsibilities. People deserve the full story and need to know what is on offer regardless of whom or ‘what’ they are in society’s eyes. To ensure people get the assistance and treatments they deserve in the field of drug and alcohol addiction, CAHMA thought it would be helpful to have some one focusing solely on these and associated issues.

CAHMA’s Treatments Worker will be devoted to the never ending job of staying informed of all types of treatments and helping people find and secure placements. This includes  Detoxs [both local and inter-state], medicated and non-medicated  Rehabilitation centres for singles, couples and families (both voluntary and court ordered)  Methadone  Buprenorphine  Naltrexone  New ideas for treatments  New age, alternative and holistic treatments  Support Groups  Personal tools  Assessment /development methods  Rights and responsibilities  How to ensure you receive the treatment you deserve

The Treatments Worker will be responsible for having all the information you need concerning: how different services are run; what their policies and procedures are; rights and responsibilities of organizations and consumers; and complaint procedures. This will hopefully make the procedure of choosing a program, getting a placement where you want or complaining and sorting out problems a lot easier for everyone concerned.

Another duty of the Treatments Worker will be to act as support for people who need it. Reminders to make phone calls to detox or rehab, and appointments to attend can be given on request. The Treatments Worker can also support you while in remand with some treatment issues.

To speak to the Treatments Worker all you need to do is come to CAHMA or ring on 6262 5295. The treatments officer will talk with you about what would be best for you at this time of your life, discuss options and help you find the best way to achieve your goal. 7 Name your Potion

OPIOID BASED MAINTANENCE TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR HEROIN DEPENDENCE

USERS IN AUSTRALIA Remember, there is no such thing as a ‘quick fix’, ‘magic wand’ or ‘miracle cure’. The road to achieving The 2001 National Drug Strategy Household Survey your goal may go in many directions (including found that more than 365,000 Australians (2.3% of around in circles). Research shows that most people the population) aged 14 years and over had used have more than one attempt at either the same or heroin, methadone or other opiates. different treatments before reaching their goal. Your goals should be as individual as you and should suit In the last 12 months 80,800 or 0.5% of the pop- your life circumstances. ulation had used these drugs. These statistics are staggering and suggest that massive quantities of The good news for people wanting to ‘kick’ an opioid opiates, both illicit and prescribed are being con- habit is that most people do, eventually, succeed in sumed by Australians from all walks of life. either reducing to ‘controlled use’ or stopping Consequently, it’s not surprising that, sooner or later, completely, depending on their goal. people seek help to reduce or stop their opiate use. The Treatments Support Worker at CAHMA is CAHMA has a Treatments Support Worker who is available to offer advice, information, referral, available to help you decide which treatment will be support and much more on any and all available best for you. With so many treatments available for substance abuse and misuse “most people do eventually succeed in either problems, it can be a daunting task but this article will focus solely on treatment options reducing to controlled use or stopping for people using (or misusing) opioids, which may include one or more of the fol- completely, whichever was their goal” lowing:- heroin, morphine (prescription mor- phine such as Kapinol or MS Contin), methadone treatments options in the ACT. CAHMA has an (black market supplies), ‘homebake’, dilaudid, extensive knowledge in the wide range of treatments omnipom, palfium, opium or codeine. This list is not and for many of the available options is able to offer meant to be all inclusive but covers the more information gained from personal experience. We common opioids. can help you with your decision on a treatment option and refer or book you into the treatment TREATMENT— service. To gain the best possible outcome from treatment, the Treatments Support Worker will ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL provide ongoing support including case management. Advocacy for any complaints or There is no single treatment, that suits everyone, for problems that may be experienced with the opioid mis-use. Some people respond well to one treatment providing agency will be another important type of treatment, but have problems or role of the Treatments Support Worker. unsatisfactory outcomes with a different treatment approach. Similarly, a particular treatment may be WARNING IMPORTANT ADVICE – Suddenly stopping suitable for someone during one stage in their life, some types of drugs/medications can lead to serious but may not be particularly useful at another. medical complications including life threatening situ- ations. Always seek medical advice ; speak to your When deciding which treatment is best for you, it doctor before suddenly stopping or reducing use of helps to have as much information on each of the any drug. available treatment approaches as possible. Weighing up the pros and cons of each treatment and what you hope to achieve from treatment will MAINTENANCE TREATMENTS help you choose the best option. Currently, there are two opiod maintenance

8 treatment options available in Canberra, but number of people on methadone in Australia in 2001 others are under consideration. This article is a was 31,995*. This is the total for all states and brief overview of the programs presently available territories excluding NT which did not have meth- through the ACT Alcohol and Drug Program. adone available in 2001. In the ACT there are nearly (methadone or buprenorphine.) 800 places available for methadone with about half of these places at community pharmacies. Both hydromorphone and heroin (with heroin being put on long term hold), have been proposed as possible treatment options which would BUPRENORPHINE expand the range of choices available to both clinicians and ‘users’. Naltrexone, LAAM and Sub- Bupe is a synthetic opiate that oxone are alternative treatment options (not all was invented in the 1970s. It available), and will be featured in a future edi- has been used around the tion of Jackback. world as a pain reliving drug called Temgesic. Bupe, under the brand name Subutex, was approved for use to treat heroin dependence in Australia in 2000. It THE BENEFITS OF can be used as a short detox reduction treatment or MAINTENANCE TREATMENT as a maintenance treatment. Bupe and Methadone share a number of similar qualities as they are both There are numerous reasons why one might opiates but are also very different in other respects. choose a maintenance program and the benefits Bupe is a partial agonist, which means it gives you a it has to offer. These may include: partial opiate effect. This results in people reporting  Stabilising lifestyle feeling less drowsy on bupe, compared to meth-  Avoiding discomfort of opiate withdrawal adone, and the withdrawal symptoms reportedly don’t  Eliminating craving for opiates last as long and are not as severe. An important dif-  Stability enabling full or part-time employment ference between bupe and methadone is bupe can or further education be taken every second or third day (although this is not possible for some people) preventing the need to  Taking control of personal finances. No outlay have to attend the clinic or pharmacy everyday. for expensive illicit drugs

 Eliminating illegal activities ADVANTAGES OF METHADONE OR  Opportunity to broaden social contacts outside of ‘drug connections’ BUPRENORPHINE

 Reducing health problems, particularly vein Methadone is a long acting drug that can keep you damage, HIV, Hep C, Hep B comfortable from 24 to 36 hours. Buprenorphine can  Additional support from contact with prescribing last up to 48 hours and consequently there is no doctor and clinic counselors need to attend a clinic or pharmacy every day for dosing. There is no provision for take-away doses of DISADVANTAGES OF MAINTENANCE buprenorphine at present, but methadone clients who PROGRAMS meet certain ‘behavioral stability criteria’ may be eligi- ble for up to three take-away doses every seven days.

 You have to visit the clinic or pharmacy Methadone is administered orally (swallowed), everyday; maybe less for Bupe, probably more whereas buprenorphine is taken sublingually for hydromorphone (dissolved under the tongue). These routes of  It inhibits your freedom to just up and leave administration can go a long way towards breaking interstate or overseas the injecting habit.  Supervised urines can be humiliating and degrading DISADVANTAGES OF  Side effects of opiates (constipation, nausea, METHADONE AND BUPRENORPHINE drowsiness etc)

 Methadone withdrawals last longer and are METHADONE generally more intense than heroin or buprenorphine. Methadone is a synthetic Most people suffer from gum disease and drug that was invented by  accelerated deterioration of teeth due to a German scientists during the Second World War. combination of methadone drying up saliva, Methadone was introduced into Australia as a disturbance of bacterial balance in the mouth. treatment for heroin dependence in 1969. Until very recently it was the only maintenance  Maintenance programs limit your eligibility treatment available for heroin dependence. The options for residential rehabs; most rehabs will 9 Name your Potion continued….

not admit people who are not completely ’detoxed’ of all types of drugs including metha- The Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy voted in done & buprenorphine. favor of a heroin trial in 1997. The Federal Government was opposed to a trial and was able to SIDE EFFECTS OF block it by refusing to amend legislation to allow METHADONE AND BUPRENORPHINE heroin to be imported for the trial or allocate funds to monitor the use of heroin in accordance with

international treaties. Most of the side effects from Methadone and Bu- pe are similar to heroin or other opiates. These include: ADVANTAGES OF  drowsiness HEROIN AND HYDROMORPHONE  constipation  nausea and sometimes vomiting  Provision of legally dispensed heroin/hydromorphone removes the need to dryness of eyes, nose and mouth  maintain ‘criminal’ or blackmarket connections reduced blood pressure   Controlled dispensing regulates purity thereby

removing the risks of overdose There can be other more serious side effects from methadone or bupe that can be extremely  Individuals have access to their preferred drug uncomfortable, difficult or even life threatening.  A realistic alternative for those who are intolerant Some of the side effects can be managed i.e. to methadone or buprenorphine constipation with the help of diet change. Other  A viable alternative for people unable or unwilling more serious side effects could mean you need to to stop injecting reduce your dose or even that methadone or Bupe does not suit you and you need to stop taking it DISADVANTAGES OF and try another option. Any adverse reactions HEROIN AND HYDROMORPHONE should be discussed with your Doctor.

 Eligibility criteria will most likely be extremely HYDROMORPHONE strict The ACT Government has recently announced that  It is unlikely that these programs would be available as a ‘first option’. That is, clients would probably have to demonstrate an extensive history of treatment with the Drug and Alcohol program over a period of years and would be well it is considering a maintenance trial of known to both prescribers and other clinicians hydromorphone.  Attendance at Clinic 2, 3 or 4 times a day  Take-away doses will (most probably) not be CAHMA played a major role in getting this option available listed in the recommendations of the ACT Drugs  Interstate travel will not be possible Strategy and separately lobbied politicians on all  Ongoing injecting behaviors can compromise the sides of politics for their support. We will continue venous system. (This can be minimised using new to be involved and seek to be influential in this equipment and correct injecting techniques) proposal and it’s becoming a reality. We will keep people up-to-date with progress and would also love to hear from users (especially heroin HEROIN VS HYDROMORPHONE dependant users) on their views on this proposal. Hydromorphone

Advocates of this type of treatment argue  The effects are very similar to heroin. that it would attract, and retain, in treatment,  Has short duration of action, similar to heroin dependant users who have either not sought  Hydromorphone is a registered drug (schedule treatment or failed (or been failed by) other 8), therefore there are not the problems of a forms of treatment. More, varied treatment heroin trial related to international treaties and options, should increase uptake of blocking from Federal government treatments and reduce heroin use,  Lacks the stigma that is attached to heroin. A drug-related crime, and deaths due to trial could be conducted without the media hype overdose. 10 HEROIN and sensationalism injectable hydromorphone maintenance  Can be distinguished in urine tests. Overseas would break the impasse over a heroin trial trials of heroin were criticized for not being and enable the Australian community to able to confirm whether illicit heroin use was decide what role injectable opiate still occurring for people on heroin maintenance has to play in the public maintenance. health response to dependant opiate use.”

Heroin CAHMA will keep users up-to-date with  The effects of heroin are well known further developments of the possibility of a  Not all heroin users know what hydromorphone trial in the ACT. hydromorphone is and this could reduce the numbers of people s e e k i n g h y d r o m o r p h o n e CONCLUSION maintenance. Some advocates of a heroin trial argue that accepting There are currently two opiate based anything else is unacceptable and maintenance treatment options, Methadone heroin users should be given their & Bupe, available in the ACT. These first drug of choice. treatments work well for some people, but not others. If you have questions about ei- The benefits of a successful mainte- ther methadone or buprenorphine treat- nance trial of heroin or hydromorphone are simi- ments, or wish to explore your use and how to man- lar to those for methadone and Bupe. They allow age a little better, please feel free to contact CAHMA people to get their lives together and be healthi- and speak with the Treatments Worker. er and happier.

A Hydromorphone maintenance treatment would mean increased and more varied treatment options, which is definitely a “A Hydromorphone maintenance good thing. The negatives include the physical side effects (including life threat- treatment would mean increased ening conditions) that are similar with all and more varied treatment options” opiates and the restrictions of having to visit the clinic everyday. The restrictions that would probably go with an injectable trial To make hydromorphone treatment available as could mean that too few heroin dependant peo- another option there is always need for expressions ple would receive this form of treatment. Over- of interest, involvement and opinions to make it a seas trials have been evaluated as being ex- reality. CAHMA will continue to lobby for this treat- tremely successful. To know if they will work in ment option and will keep people informed of devel- Australia they need to be trialed and assessed opments. for how effective they are. The introduction of these would also signal an important direction change for drugs policy towards a more pragmat- ic and compassionate approach.

The possibility of a Hydromorphone trial has been looked at by leading researchers in the REFERNENCES; Drug & Alcohol field. A discussion paper that was Methadone Handbook, 2nd edition, Preston, A & Do- written by the National Drug & Alcohol Research verty , M. 1999 Centre is an interesting read that can be obtain Subutex, A guide to treatment; AIVL, Reckitt Benck- at CAHMA. ‘Breaking the deadlock over an iser, Turning Point. Australian trial of injectable opioid maintenance’ ‘Breaking the deadlock over and Australian trial of published in The Medical Journal of Australia; injectable opioid maintenance; The medical Journal Hall, Wayne D, Kimber, J & Mattick, R, . The of Australia, 21 Jan 2002; Hall, W; Kimber, J;p paper concludes with the quote; Mattick, R. 2001 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, Aus- tralian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra International Journal of the Addictions, Controlled Heroin Availability ihn Australia? How and to What End?Gabriele Bammer, Adele Stevens, Phyll Dance, Remo Ostini, David A Crawford. “We believe a controlled clinical trial of 11 Pen to paper…user’s words Give to JackBack by telling us what you think, see or have experienced in words or pictures —contact details on the back cover

If I had my very own personal to do? Bite on his secret tooth – the one physician, on call and living just containing the lethal dose of cyanide? downstairs, I’d probably have a Plenty of his colleagues availed bit of trouble deciding which themselves of the cyanide option and particular drug cocktail was avoided answering the free world for the needed to kick start the day. Poor atrocities committed during the war. Elvis, poor Adolph, poor Herman, poor me. Maybe next week’s lotto will have Me? Simple, I’d self-medicate, same as always. enough left over (after all drug debts are re – I’d opt for self–prescribed and (successfully) self– paid) for me to employ my own personal administered high-speed cranial lead therapy. Like physician. Maybe I could make a deal with a most irresponsible junkie suicides, I’d leave the young one (doctor, that is) to just pop in for mess for someone else to clean up. Herman ‘bit an hour or two, afternoons and evenings, the bullet’, but he waited until he was captured, perhaps. Maybe I could borrow some probably to see if there was any chance of Medicare cards from some mates, and the keeping himself alive, or just to see what goodly young doctor could run four or five happened to his mates. Maybe Goering ‘knocked’ through the little card reader at the one time himself because he was so sick from hanging-out - just to make the trip worthwhile. Better still, from no methadone. What would you do? if I had one or two Nobel Prize-winning pharmacologists under my direction, I just I’ve never been comfortable about methadone might be able to have them invent some and the Nazis. Is the story true, or is it an urban suitable boutique designer narcotic. Just for myth? In the early ‘70’s, a colleague and I thought me. Just like Herman did. we might be able to find a recipe for methadone amongst the reference material held at The John At some point during the 1939 - 45 World Curtin School of Medical Research at the War, all the junkies in Europe must have Australian National University. We had no success. realized that opium supplies from the Far East The literature gave ample explanation of what stood a good chance of being completely cut methadone is, what it does and who gets it. There off. Panic. Personal physician or not, major were even diagrams showing its molecular panic. structure, but the actual formula, ingredients and manufacturing process are a secret. The reader Herman Goering, head of the German was to “direct any further enquiries to the U.S. airforce, recipient of the Pour le Merite, the Dept. of Food and Agriculture, Washington D.C.” famed ‘Blue Max’ and full–time morphine No matter how we approached the subject of addict must have started squirming in his methadone, we always seemed to get just so far chair when he found out there was the and then we’d run into a brick wall that stated; chance that he might have to take ‘The Cure’ “any further enquiries, etc”. At least this seemed sooner than he thought. What was he going 12 to support one story I’d heard, or perhaps ‘Immediately’, replies the aide. read, about the fall of Berlin in 1945. Goering puts the solid ivory handle of the Apparently, so the story goes, the U.S. had telephone back in its gilded cradle and his certain buildings they wished to capture, as it chubby hand moves from the telephone to the was well known that the Germans kept third drawer of his desk. The drawer slowly meticulous records of everything they did opens. He quickly removes a bundle wrapped in during the war. Indeed, such detailed records white silk (an airman’s scarf) and places it in proved the undoing of captured German front of himself on top of the desk. With nimble P.O.W.’s, both military and civilian and led to movements, he unwraps the scarf and arranges successful prosecutions at Nuremberg. The the contents. Glass hypodermic syringe, (Luer- yanks knew about methadone and whatever lok of course), tourniquet, a hinged metal tin, a the reason, they were determined to take over exclusive ownership. The ‘spoils of war’, perhaps?

It is said that the world has Goering’s morphine addiction to thank for the present day global spread and uptake of methadone as a treatment for narcotic addiction. It seems the medical profession doesn’t have a problem treating addiction to one narcotic, say, heroin, by prescribing a different narcotic such as methadone. Is there a little irony here, or just old-fashioned hypocrisy? This particular pharmacotherapy and ‘clinical little smaller than a approach’ has a disturbing resonance. Was matchbox, containing six not heroin used as a pharmacotherapy for surgical steel 25 gauge treating morphine addiction? Indeed, but it needles suitable for multiple was considered unsatisfactory because it use after sterilizing and a merely replaced morphine addiction with 250.ml. bottle of morphine heroin addiction. hydrochloride. Five days supply. He has already used Was it really Goering’s fault, or did ‘Uncle his daily ration and, like every Sam’ see the potential for methadone as a junkie, he’s engaged in a means of behavioral control? Perhaps ‘fault’ is compelling argument within himself, not appropriate. Those of us who experience rationalizing his way into ‘just a small top-up the ‘junk sickness’ from time to time know shot’, even though the consequences are only to well that you do what ever is needed inevitable. Dope used now will not be available to get your hands on some ‘treatment.’ The later. (Old junkie saying.) only suitable emergency treatment for junk sickness is an appropriate dose of narcotic. ‘Oh well,’ he sighs, ‘no point in having this argument with myself again. I’ll just use a little So maybe Goering simply did what was bit.’ (Sound familiar?) needed. Can you see him reaching across his large walnut and mahogany desk shipped A knock on the heavy office door announces back from Paris after the fall of France? He the arrival of the head of pharmacological picks up his telephone and is immediately research and his assistant, both eminent, pre- connected to his aide. war senior scientists. Without interrupting the morphine-injecting episode, Goering reminds ‘Get in touch with whoever is in charge of the two scientists of the need to find a suitable pharmaceutical research and have them alternative to opiate based painkillers. For report to me immediately.’ demands Goering. distribution to German troops on four continents. His voice is warm, calm, enticing.

13 Then, without warning his demeanor gets Narcan, an opiate antagonist, while the other very ugly very quickly. gently gathers in the monkey, which, by now, is demonstrating the classic objective clinical He explodes with rage, ranting repeatedly. signs of acute opiate toxicity. It’s a dozen ‘On my desk by 9.00am tomorrow morning. breaths away from dead. Do you understand? My desk, 9.00a.m. or both of you will be on Within seconds of your way to the administering the Narcan, Eastern Front before the monkey becomes midday.’ agitated and animated and is quickly returned to That night, in a fully a cage. equipped laboratory hidden deep below ‘This looks like it’, says the bombed-out ruins one of the men, ‘someone of Berlin, a young had best call the boss and scientist collapses we should make from exhaustion. Fed arrangements to have a on amphetamines reasonable quantity of this from what will later stuff made-up become Hitler’s immediately. Oh, don’t personal supply, forget to put some aside twenty five chemists, for Goering. This should research assistants shut him up for a while.’ and pharmacologists have been working ‘What the hell are we literally non-stop for going to call it?’ someone months trying to asks. Silence. Then… ‘I produce a satisfactory know. We can call it synthetic opiate, in “Adolphine”.’ anticipation of supplies of raw opium drying up. Not only are Pure fiction? Of course, but whoever knows they aware that the German war machine is the REAL story of how methadone became relying on them, but they understand all too the ‘Opiate of the Masses’ isn’t telling. It well the ‘junk madness’ that drives Goering. seems the story of how events unfolded all Then it happened. those years ago in Berlin is to remain a secret just as long as ‘Uncle Sam’ wants. Besides, Two white-coated men are staring at a small ‘any enquires on this topic may be directed to monkey, which has just been injected with a the U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture, colourless, odourless liquid. The monkey is Washington, D.C., United States of America.’ half standing, bent at the knees and seems to be in a state of slow-motion collapse. It’s mouth is slightly open, it’s breathing is laboured. The monkey’s hand is suspended in © Anthony R Millin.2004. The author asserts mid-air, appearing as if it meant to scratch it’s his moral rights under appropriate copyright nose, but didn’t quite make it. It’s lips are legislation turning blue and it’s eyelids are slowly closing.

One of the men is quickly filling a syringe with

14 Memorial To those who’ve passed on

On January the 9th Michael Coates died in hospital due to liver failure. Mick had been a volunteer at CAHMA for some time and it was suggested that this JackBack contain a memorial page for him. Tragically, the deaths did not end there. Over the last couple of months many other people known to CAHMA workers and those who come to CAHMA have died also. This memorial pays homage to them and the roles they have had in our lives. As you read this you may be angry that someone you know is not included here. We do not intend these pages exclude anyone. That is something we would never want. What is included here has been handed in by people and everyone is welcome to write or draw something for someone they know who has died to be included in the following issues of JackBack.

MICK WENT BACK TO SYDNEY.

THEN WE DIDN’T CROSS PATHS FOR A WHILE.

A FEW YEARS LATER I WAS IN MELBOURNE, STAYING WITH AN EX-GIRLFRIEND, WHO I HADN’T QUITE GOTTEN OVER. SHE TOLD ME MICK WAS LIVING IN COLLINGWOOD IN A SQUAT, KNOWN AS THE “BIG BROWN WAREHOUSE”. I GOT DIRECTIONS AND SET OUT TO FIND ME OLD MATE MICK. I FOUND HE “BBWH” NO WORRIES BUT MICK WASN’T THERE, SO I LEFT A MESSAGE AND WENT BACK TO CARLTON. LATER THAT ARVO, MICK TURNED UP IN CARLTON ON A MOUNTAIN BIKE THE FIRST TIME MICK AND ME PROPERLY WITH A LOAF OF BREAD, BUTTER AND A TIN OF INTERACTED I WAS 16 AND HIM 15. WE SUSTAGEN. “GOT ANY MILK?” HE ASKED. WE DID, SWAPPED TAPES, A.O.D. [ADRENALIN OD] FOR AND WE ALL SAT DOWN FOR TOAST AND BLACK FLAG. WE THEN DISCUSSED PUNK SUSTAGEN. ROCK FURTHER OVER A GAME OF POOL. AFTERWARDS I WENT BACK WITH MICK TO THE SOON AFTER THAT MICK HIT THE ROAD, WENT “BBWH” WHERE HE TOLD ME AN IMPORTANT TO SYDNEY WITH SOME CHICK. DIDN’T SEE RULE OF THE SQUAT WAS NO USING. I LAUGHED HIM FOR A WHILE. WHEN HE DID COME AS MICK LOOKED ROUND UNCOMFORTABLY, WE BACK, MONTHS LATER, HE WASN’T THE BOWL WERE BOTH PINNED AS FUCK. I STAYED FOR HEADED SCHOOL BOY THAT LEFT, HE WAS A ABOUT A MONTH. WE HAD MANY A DRUNKEN DIRTY ROTTEN SKATER PUNK, WITH AN APPLE ADVENTURE, LOTS ‘O LAUGHS, HIGH DRAMAS GREEN MOHAWK AND A FILTHY SUB HUMANS AND ALOTTA DRUGS. I WENT BACK TO SYDNEY. T-SHIRT. NONE OF HIS PREVIOUS MATES BBWH GOT RAIDED A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER. WANTED TO KNOW HIM, AND SOME IT WAS ON THE NEWS AS MICK AND SOME OTHER VISCIOUS RUMOURS DEVELOPED. MYSELF FERALS TRIED TO HOLD THE COPS OFF FROM THE HOWEVER, BEING ATTRACTED TO ALL THINGS ROOF, CHANTING “HOUSING FOR THE POOR, NOT PUNK ROCK, DEVELOPED A FIRM FRIENDSHIP JUST THE RICH” AND “FUCK THE LAW, SQUAT THE WITH THIS NEWER, SMELLIER MICK. 15 WORLD”. THEY WERE TAKEN DOWN, BY FORCE, SHORTLY AFTER. Donna Sweet Donna My poor baby, how much you hurt AGAIN WE DIDN’T CROSS PATHS MUCH FOR A With Rye & your brother, side by side WHILE, EXCEPT FOR ONE ‘PUNKS PICNIC’ @ THE With peace, you have left, your pain here SYDNEY PARK BRICKWORKS IN ST. PETERS. ‘CASS’ To not leave you family in too much pain is impossible LAST BLAST’ THE FLYER SAID. IT WAS ORGANISED IN MEMORY OF THE PUNK CHICK CASS, WHO MICK HAD BEEN LIVING WITH, SHE HUNG HERSELF, MICK CAME HOME TO FIND HER SWINGING FROM A TREE IN THEIR BACKYARD. HE GOT IN TROUBLE FOR CUTTING HER DOWN [SO HE TOLD ME].

THEN IN ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF 1997 WE FOUND OURSELVES BOTH LIVING BACK IN CANBERRA. WE’VE HUNG OUT A LOT SINCE THEN, VARIOUS HOUSES, VARIOUS CHICKS, BOTH WENT FOR A STINT ON DONE, BOTH GOT OFF, BOTH KEPT USING.

WE SQUATTED A HOUSE, A NICE HOUSE IN TURNER FOR ABOUT 10 MONTHS IN 2001. TOOK ABOUT 10 MONTHS TO FUCK OUT, JUST Donna Lee Watson BECAME TOO CHAOTIC. I WAS FIRST TO LEAVE. 12.12.1977 – 11.02.2004 Well, what is there to say about Donna? ABOUT THIS TIME WE BOTH DATED TWO CHICKS She was one of the loveliest people you could FROM THIS ALL GIRL PUNK BAND, SO WE WERE meet. HANGING TOGETHER HEAPS THEN. You could be down in the dumps, but if you saw MICK HAD A FLARE FOR SURVIVAL WHEN IT Donna, you would instantly have a smile on your CAME TO STAYING COMFORTABLE, OF COURSE face. In some cases this would happen if you just THERE WAS THE ODD FUCK UP, HE ALSO HAD A heard her voice. BIG HEART OF GOLD, SPECIALLY WHEN IT CAME TO HIS MATES. She would give anyone the time of day whether she knew them or not. HE’S GONE. HE IS MISSED BY MANY. THANKS FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP MICK. I WON’T FORGET YA!! If there was a person who even looked a bit ANDY down Donna would talk to them, just to make sure they were alright, but also to let them know that someone cared and that they weren’t alone. Gail Maree Williams Sometimes she would get no reaction, some A few months ago the world lost a wonderful times they abused her but this didn’t worry her person in a horrific car accident. Gail and her most of the time because she knew she had at boy friend Colin were returning to Canberra least tried. Most of the time she ended up in when Gail lost control of the car and collided good conversations with the person, pure and with a truck. simply because of her beautiful personality, she Gail was the loving mother of three children, could make any one feel useful especially when they felt their worst ( I know from experience). Cheery, Zoe and Jaxson who will all miss the

love and affection that she lavished on them. I have known Donna since she was 14 yrs old. I As a friend Gail was great, she was always have seen her be a typical teenager being a there to talk about a problem or to just have bitch to her brother, friends and family, but the fun. one thing that must be said in relation to the last We will all miss you Gail and I hope you have 13 yrs is that Donna always, no matter what, been able to find the peace and contentment stuck to her principles and what she believed in. that you so desperately wanted. For this reason nearly every one who knew 16 Donna had a great respect for her and her Any one who knew Donna would know that ability to care for others. Donna cared more for there was a lot of pain that she went through in others than she did for herself, in some ways her life. In recent times she had to deal with the unfortunately this was part of her downfall. suicide of her boyfriend as well as the interstate movement of Kai with only 24 hours notice. From the first time I met Donna back in 1990, These two events alone caused Donna a great we got on very well. I would look after her and amount of grief. The thing was that no matter her brother Mark when they were doing their how much friendship, care or love was given it badges at Scouts, we also got up to some other was not enough to compensate for the losses pretty crazy stuff. It should be recognized that she had already sustained. Donna was one of the first female Scouts in the ACT and she took it straight to the guys without About a week before Donna died she said to a any hesitation. She had absolutely 100% friend and myself to “please not be sad or sorry confidence in herself. when I die. Just know that I won’t be in pain anymore. I’ll be with the people I want to be I guess that it was because of this attitude that with”. I know that she is there at the moment. she was able to achieve the accolades that she She is with the people she wanted to be with, did, not only in Scouts but also by being part of Mark and Christian. They will be playing music the ACT Soft ball squad that won the national and singing with each other and if there is Rum titles in 1993 and also in her employment, by they will be getting pissed together and pulling being assistant to the proprietor at the age of 17 cones. This thought makes me happy and all (she had only been working for 12 months). the people who know her should feel the same From here she was taken to the top end of way. Australia with the same boss because of her skills and personality. Even though I have lost the one person in my life that I can say I truly loved, heart and soul I One of the best things that ever happened to am glad that she is finally at peace. I also know Donna and myself was when Donna and I that although Donna is not here in a physical began to see each other. This was just after sense she will always be looking over Kai and moving back to Canberra on the same day the myself and she will be forever in our hearts. coroner handed down his findings into Donna’s I just want to finish off with a parting message brother Mark’s death. Mark died in September for my beautiful lover, partner, best friend and 1996 and Donna never got over his death. wonderful mother to our son, Kai:

The ultimate highlight in our relationship would “Ever since I first saw you Donna Lee Watson, I have to be when I asked Donna to marry me. knew that you were a very special person. I will She was stunned and wasn’t sure what to say, never forget you my darling and you will be for but luckily for me she said yes. I thought this all eternity in my mind, heart and soul. I will was the best but there was one event that beat make sure our son knows all about you. He will it and that was the knowledge of Donna’s know how much you loved and cherished him pregnancy and the birth of our son Kai on the and about how much pain you were in for you 22nd of Jan 2002.That night and day is an event to have to leave him as that was one of the that neither of us will ever forget no matter hardest decisions you ever had to make. I will what. Although Donna did try to strangle me at stand by what I promised you when we were one stage while in labor, we were both talking about it. Just remember he adores you. absolutely over the moon when our little man You are his mommy! I miss you so much was born, we both adored him with all our heart already and it’s only been three weeks since and soul. you left us. I will forever miss you no matter what the circumstances. Please remember this When Donna was required to give up Kai to one thing though Donna family services, it absolutely destroyed her, but ‘ALWAYS FOREVER, NEVER TO PART’, MY she did not give in. No matter what she was DEAREST DONNA YOU ARE FOREVER IN determined to get our son back. The reason I MY HEART ‘ say Donna was getting Kai back was because KRIS. we had separated and Donna had custody of Kai. 17 CODE BLUE Harm Reduction Services Canberra “because sometimes what you don’t know can harm you”

Code Blue Harm Reduction Services is a non-profit themselves, and our handouts provide links to volunteer organization, formed by people who various information sources on the Internet, We also believe that the Canberra Music scene needed a provide assistance through emails and by telephone. harm reduction group for peer education and easier access to information services and referral centres. A majority of users want to know more about party drugs but do not know where to find information that Code blue has been around for about two years, is accurate and isn’t designed specifically for anti formed by a handful of people who met through the drug campaigns. drug discussion board www.bluelight.nu As the only group targeting drug users in the club We are closely based on, and allied to the harm and dance community, we provide people with reduction group Enlighten who have been working in information based on both research and personal and around Melbourne for around 3 years, and are experiences. In sharing personal opinions we can the pioneers when it comes to adulterant screening relate to users through our own using experiences in public venues. and educate them about safe using. This encourages users to come back and learn more, knowing that we Our target audience is the dance and nightclub will give our honest opinions and informed community. We attend various sized parties, set up responses. a table with information regarding XTC, adulterants, pill testing, sexual health and dangerous drug Research programs carried out when XTC was first combinations. We provide information handouts, seen as a major concern resulted in a lot of one lollies, condoms, free postcards and a chill out area sided findings about its effects. This approach has where people can come talk to us or relax and cool made information harder to access and accept for down. We also provide some basic first aid. the average party drug user especially when it doesn't appear to fit with their own experiences. Formed on the principles of Peer Education, Party Drug Education makes use of factual information Code blue is entirely self-funded; the fact that we are and users’ personal experiences. We not government funded actually helps us at events, distribute information that lets people know how best as people are wary of government sponsored to minimize risks to themselves and friends, and propaganda, media hysteria and information provided which is easily understandable, factual and free. by other (anti-drug) organisations.

In doing this we neither promote nor Party drug users have genuine concerns about the condemn the use of drugs. We do promote issues surrounding their use. Many people who use harm reduction, user education and the benefits of drugs recreationally walk away at the end of the practical measures such as adulterant testers night/experience and return to their normal lives. As amongst ecstasy users. such the use of XTC doesn’t often require a treatment approach to drug use, but it does generate We believe that if you choose to take drugs, you a need for a higher awareness of the effects and should be well informed of the possible risks consequences of its use. involved. Unfortunately many people in the community who choose to experiment with drugs are Our end goal is to increase the ability of unaware or uninformed of the risks and possible our peers to positively influence their own harms to which the mind and body are exposed. health and safety, by providing the tools We have attended many different parties in the and information needed to make informed Canberra region. We have worked at the ANU, at UC decisions for Stonefest, and Commonwealth Park for the You can contact CODE BLUE on Ministry of Sounds bushfire benefit. I have even Email: [email protected] attended the odd house party alone to hand out info, Phone: Michael Haines on 0414 259 708 Mail: Po Box 605 Erindale Centre ACT 2903 test pills and give advice. For more info you can check out: Code blue works toward helping people think for www.chemicalsolutions.com.au www.bluelight.nu Family services?

A lot of people have heard of themselves. Some parents feel the Welfare [or Family Services]. It’s promised assistance is not the organization charged with forthcoming. protecting children in our community. However, from my experience, things So in what situation does a child get don’t always turn out so well and removed? And why do some people parents can sometimes end up feeling seem to never have a hassle with like they are being told that they are welfare while others are constantly bad parents. trying to get away from their grip?

Unfortunately, due to certain Basically, child abuse or neglect in all individuals, organizations like its forms will prompt Child Welfare “Welfare” have become a necessary into action, and it seems that once part of life to protect our most they have concerns about your precious from what is a small number parenting abilities and basic coping of people. skills it’s very difficult to become anonymous again. Most countries have some sort of child welfare system; in Australia we So what does welfare consider to be have a different system for every child abuse and neglect and should State and Territory. the method currently used by welfare be continued? The ACT’s Child Welfare organization is a part of the Child abuse is the term for a variety Department of Education, Youth & of acts or behaviors which result in Family Services and is responsible harm to a child. In the “Child Abuse for ensuring the safety and wellbeing and Neglect, Guidelines For Response of every child who lives in the To Concerns (Protocol between Canberra region. Unfortunately, family services and schools)”, abuse there is often the feeling that is considered to be, in most welfare has stolen a child for unfair situations, not an isolated incident reasons and parents are not given but a pattern of behavior occurring adequate chances to redeem over a period of time, the effects of

19 FAMILY SERVICES? continued…..

which are cumulative. This means that job involves the welfare of children. Welfare need to have a record of your

child being neglected or abused Most of us have heard the saying [physically or emotionally] on more “Every one has a cross to bear”, and than one occasion. In order to fulfill I know my parents were far from their responsibility to the children of perfect, as am I. the ACT, if they are notified of a

situation that involves neglect or Unfortunately if abuse, they are required to ‘check up’ every parent was on the situation. This is why, once you put on the stand, are involved with them, you can find it’s possible some yourself in a long-term relationship [so would lose their to speak]. children and be

convicted of child The abuse of children falls into one of abuse of some sort. several categories: No one is perfect. Many parents have ¤ Non accidental injuries as a result “lost it” in some way due to extended of physical abuse. periods of stress. Some are simply ¤ Neglect resulting in impairment to neglectful in one way or another but health. a few really need to have their ¤ Emotional abuse causing children removed while they learn psychological and/or emotional appropriate parenting skills. damage.

¤ Sexual abuse and exploitation. If children are in genuine danger and

must be removed from a parent’s Under new legislation in S 159 (1) of care every attempt should be made the Children & Young Peoples Act to teach parents appropriate 1999, certain people must now report parenting skills and techniques. They suspected non accidental injuries and should be allowed regular contact sexual abuse of children. Prior to this with the children who should be act there was no legal requirement to returned to parents once they have report their suspicions. These people met the appropriate criteria. include professionals such as teachers,

people employed in schools to counsel One study in Victoria determined the children and basically any one whose attitudes and knowledge of abuse

20 that warranted reporting by has lost a child to welfare says the professionals who worked with same thing “I know I wasn’t perfect children. When evaluating behaviour, but I tried and welfare didn’t play a majority (75%), found it difficult fair, they didn’t do what they said to determine whether abuse had they would”. Even more frightening occurred. There was considerable are the stories of how parents are variation in the respondents denied information about their evaluation of risk in 5 hypothetical children’s wellbeing, of cruel and cases they were given to evaluate. petty “games” being played to prove These results give an idea of the points and the general use of diversity and inconsistency in the belittling comments and behaviors to ways people think and act in this type keep people in line. of situation. Basically child focused services seem Few found the decision to report a to be responding in a negative way to case easy or straight-forward even already messed up situations, so that when they were mandated. The main their ‘assistance’ could possibly influences on the decision to report result in harm to the child. Now, I am were: not debating whether or not we need  the perpetrators access to the an organization to protect our child children. Of course we need people  functioning of the primary watching out for them. I am only caregiver suggesting that we might need to  the nature of the parents/child review the way the Welfare system interaction is run to ensure children are quickly  and type and severity of returned to parents, who are abuse/neglect equipped with better parenting skills, because they have been better This shows that more intensive educated . guidelines are needed to assist people in keeping children safe. People who require a bit of help should not be treated like cruel, heartless criminals who are intentionally hurting their children, but those who really are criminals must be bought to account quickly.

Most everyone I have spoken to who 21 VEIN VANITY Keeping em fit!!

Scarring & Bruising

This Vein Vanity article is about scarring not otherwise be able to see. You don’t have to rotate to vastly different sites, moving a cm higher and bruising due to popular demand. If you or lower from each site is fine. It may be a good have Vein Vanity questions, please tell the idea to learn how to inject with both hands. workers at CAHMA, or write a letter to Ms Fit [pg 6] One reason people tend to use the same site is because they know it works. If you want to try and When you cut yourself and the cut is minor, it tends rotate injecting sites pump up when you’re not to heal without a scar. However, if you were to cut injecting to have a good look. yourself in the same way in the same place many times, not giving the cut time to heal properly, you NEEDLES would expect a scar wouldn’t you? A major factor in maintaining healthy veins, skin and tissue around an injection site is using a com- It is the same with injecting. Injecting creates a petent, clean and safe injection technique. ‘mini wound’ [kind of like a mini-me but not as cutely revolting]. It creates a tiny hole in your vein, or may- Use as small a needle as possible to make the be a tear depending on your injecting tech- wound smaller and therefore heal better. All nique. Blood clots around this hole and eventu- needles will have a gauge number on them. The ally it heals. Current information says it takes about most commonly used fit in Australia is the 1ml TEN days for the wound at an injection site to heal syringes with a 27 Gauge needle which are in the completely. fit packs. You can actually get 29 Gauge 1ml sy- ringes [which are a smaller needle] from CAHMA If you inject in the same place over and over, your or Directions. vein can become so scarred that you can no longer use it. The same ten days applies to the outside of Using a new fit for every hit will lessen scarring. your arm. If you continue to inject in the same place Fits are designed for once only use. After that first over and over, without leaving enough time for heal- time they will not be as sharp and will be barbed, ing, the site will scar. even though you may not be able to see it. The pictures below are magnified pictures of the end of People who have a favorite spot, which has be- a needle, you can see that there is a big come scarred, often notice that when they inject at difference between a new needle and one that another site, the needle slides in more easily and has been used 6 times. the injecting episode is less stressful. This is due to the absence of scar tissue.

ROTATION To avoid scarring and eventual vein col- lapse, rotate your injecting site. When you inject make sure the bevel is facing up If you inject twice a day then you would need 20 as this lessens the size of the wound also. sites in order to let each site heal properly before injecting in it again. This may not be easy to achieve for a lot of people, but the more sites you use, the better.

A lot of people inject in the inside of their elbow where veins are usually most obvious. These veins run up your forearm into the inside of your elbow and over your biceps in the upper arm. Try placing the tourniquet in different places, and exercise or use hot water to expose those veins that you may CREAMS your cream and you use that cream on your A lot of users rub creams on their injections sites entry wound then you could get Hepatitis daily to aid the healing process. Don’t put an- C/B. You also don’t want a dirty finger with ything on your injection site until it has bacteria on it [including your own], going stopped bleeding. into your cream to then be transferred into your blood. So, if you are going to let Vitamin E, Paw Paw cream or Hirudoid are someone use your cream, make sure they recommended by users [although there is no first wash their hands well, use a cotton empirical evidence of Hirudoid’s effectiveness, bud and only dip once. except for that produced by the manufacturers] and may help to heal scarring caused by injection. SUMMARY You can get Hirudoid at the pharmacy for around $12 for 20g or $21 for 40g. Hirudoid will not heal 》 rotate injection sites – look for different an abscess or other injuries from injecting mishap, sites when you aren’t having a shot, exer- and in some cases may make it worse. cise, have a shower, use a tourniquet to bring up your veins You can get Vitamin E cream from around $2 》 use as small a needle as possible upwards. Vitamin E cream has a lot of other stuff in it so if you’re a puritan you might prefer Vitamin 》 use a new needle every time E oil which is more potent and more expensive. 》 inject with the bevel facing up You can get Paw Paw from the supermarket or 》 use a cream on the site after it has stopped Chemist, it is also cheap. bleeding; don’t share your cream

Another cream that is recommended is Scarless Healer. There are two brands that this intrepid in- BRUISING vestigator has found – “Rose’s Scarless Healer” A bruise is blood and damaged tissue under the and “Greenridge Scarless Healer”. The difference surface of your skin. Bruising from injecting can be between the two is that the Rose brand has caused by a missed hit, or a shot that you thought Comfrey [Marigold] in it, while the Greenridge only was fine but some of it leaked out of the vein into has Hypericum [St Johns Wort] and calendula. As surrounding tissue area. Bruising can also be you may know Comfrey and St Johns Wort are caused by repeatedly missing the vein – the highly regarded for their healing powers by those ‘butcher’ scenario. practicing natural medicine. You can get Scarless Healer from health food stores in 50g tubs for The way to avoid bruising is to have a good inject- around $14. ing technique and the time and space to do it calm- ly. If you’re finding it difficult to get a vein consider Some people use Aloe Vera. Extensive research smoking, snorting, swallowing or shafting [up the since the 1930's has shown that the clear gel has bum] ; give your veins a break, if only for a little a dramatic ability to heal wounds, ulcers and while. burns. Aloe's healing power comes from increasing available oxygen to the skin, and in- When you have a shot, make sure you loosen the creasing the synthesis and strength of tissue. The tourniquet before pushing down on the plunger. It plant is about 96% water. The rest of it contains is recommended that you withdraw the needle active ingredients including essential oil, amino slowly after a shot [to lessen trauma to the vein]. acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glycopro- Keep the arm straight and apply pressure for a teins. couple of minutes with tissue or some other clean, disposable material. This pressure may lessen or You can buy Aloe Vera, but for those who want prevent bruising. the cheap, therapeutic experience, you can grow an Aloe Vera plant quite easily. It should be in The creams recommended above will also help well-drained sandy soil. Potted plants need fil- with bruising. tered sun or full shade. To make a salve; remove CONCLUSION the thin outer skin and process the leaves in a Hopefully, this information is useful to you blender, add 500 units of vitamin C powder to and you’ve learnt something new. If you each cup and store in refrigerator. Otherwise just found this article didn’t stand up to scratch, break a leaf off and apply the clear gel to your please give us a call/email/write and tell us. wound. We’ll do our best to improve next time.

It’s important that you don’t let other We all learn from each other and that’s the people’s blood get into your cream. Tiny, point. invisible amounts of blood can hold the Hepatitis C/B virus. If Hep C/B gets into 23 scales in your favour TIP the Security Guards—what rights do I have? “TIP the SCALES In your favour” is a ‘legal’ advice section and covers a different topic each issue. If you have a legal question about something, or can think of something that other users need to know, please feel free to give us a call [6262 5295], email us [[email protected]] or drop in and let us know face to face. This issue covers security guards- a lot of people have had run-ins with them so we thought we would investigate . . .

At CAHMA we have had a number of people come in lately talking CLUBS: Security guards can refuse you entry if you don’t fit about security guards. These people have reported incidents in a dress code or let them search your bag or if you appear which security guards have been very violent towards them and intoxicated. They are acting on behalf of the owner who can have seemed to feel as though this is ok because the person is refuse anyone entry – just like you don’t have to let anyone “just a junkie”. into your house.

If people treat you like “just a junkie” you can start to believe them BAG CHECKS: If you walk into a large store of virtually any and accept that you have no right to respect, dignity or fair kind in Australia, you will see a sign just outside the door treatment and in fact even start to think that you deserve abuse. saying. "It is a condition of entry to this store that customers This is not true and you do have as much right to respect as allow us to inspect the contents of their bags on leaving the anyone else. shop". Typically, when you leave the shop, there is a security guard outside the door who asks to inspect the contents of This article outlines what rights you have when it comes to your bag. Usually customers open their bag, the guard looks security guards and how to complain. CAHMA encourages inside the bag, and then the customers go on their way. people to stand up for their rights and is happy to be of any assistance where we can. Legally, the case for allowing such bag searches is flimsy. Without probable cause (which in practice usually means NOTE: There are a number of different ‘types’ of security guard. someone will have to have seen you take something off the This article refers to those that work to protect property, such as shelf of the shop and put it in your bag) the shop has no right malls or nightclubs. to detain you or to look in your bag. However, they can ask to look in your bag. You then have the right to refuse. If you ORDERS TO LEAVE: Security Guards are refuse the shop can then different to police and do not have the same ask you to not come back ‘powers’. They are subject to Criminal law, “Security Guards are different to to the shop again, but they which basically means they are governed by police and do not have the same have no way of actually the same laws as an ordinary citizen. compelling you to open However, they do have custodial rights in a ‘powers’. They are subject to… the your bag for them. sense. Because they are employed to same laws an ordinary citizen is protect private property [such as shopping ” CHARGING A SECURITY centres, which are not public property] they GUARD: If your rights are have the power to direct you to leave. If you refuse to leave, you abused by a security guard you can press charges. Things may be trespassing. to do if this happens include: write down what happened as soon as possible; REASONABLE FORCE: According to the Office of Fair Trading,  write down a description of the security guard who regulates the security industry, security guards protecting  the time their employees’ property are allowed to use ‘reasonable force’ to  place do so.  dialogue

see if you have any witnesses and if they are willing to However, if a security guard were to request you leave, and you  do, they are not allowed to touch you, let alone hit or in any other be involved in the case  if possible, take a photo way physically abuse you. This is classified as assault. If you are outside the property they are being paid to protect then they This could be of significant benefit to you should the matter certainly have no right to touch or detain you. be taken to court. 24 CONTACT NUMBERS

If you can’t find a number you want in these two pages then let us know and we’ll put it in. We believe numbers are correct at time of print. If you find any that aren’t, let us know and we’ll fix it in the next issue, love, the CAHMA staff.

ACT Community Care A&D Program 6205 4545 Tuggeranong 6205 2700 24hr info service on D&A issues, referrals, assessment for detox withdrawal units. Kippax 6205 1891 Court intervention such as CADAS, BRC, methadone clients and dosing. Belconnen 6205 1133 ACT Methodone Program 6205 4545 Narrabundah 6205 2800 Alcohol and Drug Program, Canberra Hospital INFORMATION, ADVOCACY, SUPPORT, REFERRAL & OR DISPENSING TIMES COUNSELLING. Mon-Fri 7:15AM – 9:30AM Sat,Sun, P.H. 7:15AM – 9:30A ACTCOSS 6248 7566 10AM – 12PM 10AM – 12PM AIDS Action Council 6257 2855 2PM – 3PM 1PM – 3PM Community Info & referral Service ACT 6248 7988 ACT Hepatits C Council 6253 9999 Canberra Rape Crisis & Sexual Assault Counselling Service HepLine 1300 301 383 {24 HOUR CRISIS LINE} 6247 2525 Information, support and referrals to people with Hepatitis C, their families and Canberra Sexual Health Clinic 6244 2184 friends Centacare 6239 7700 ADFACT 6292 2733 Child at Risk Unit 6244 2712 Provides assessment to Karralika Therapeutic Community, Halfway houses, Family Services{ACT Branch} 6204 1088 Relapse prevention for men, women and families. Gambling Counselling Service 6247 0655 Alcoholics Anonymous 6287 3020 Healthcare Consumers Assoc of the ACT 6281 4382 CAHMA 6262 5295 Health Complaints Unit 6205 2222 Drop-in, NSP, Information, support, advocacy and referral for illicit drug users, Incest Counselling & Resource Centre 1800 654 119 friends and family. People Living with HIV/AIDS in the ACT 6257 4985 Canberra Recovery Service 6295 1256 DV crisis Service 6280 0900 Run by Salvation Army. Includes the Bridge Program for men only[rehab]. 12 Salvation Army 6247 3635 step programs encouraged. Group and individual counseling available Smith Family 6285 4000 DIRECTIONS 6248 7677 St Vincent de Paul Society 6282 2722 Provides NSP, counseling, referrals and therapy groups. Arcadia detox unit is also LEGAL & CORRECTIVE SERVICES part of the service provided. ACT Magistrates Court 6217 4444 Narcotics Anonymous 6288 0835 Warrant Enquiries 6217 423 Ted Noffs Canberra-Youth Detox & Rehab 6123 2400 Belconnen Remand Centre 6207 0733 PALM( Program for Adolescent Life Management) is a three month intensive Community Corrections 6207 0888 residential program for people aged 14-18years. Also a 7 or 14 day Detox Corrections Court Officers 6207 0973 Queanbeyan A&D Service 6299 1725 Court Assessments & Referral Service 6257 4866 Information, support, referrals, counseling all provided in a non-judgmental Legal Advice Bureau 6247 5700 environment. Legal Aid ACT Inc 6243 3411 Queanbeyan NSP (Community Health Centre) 6298 9233 Legal Aid Helpline 1300 654 314 26 Anthill Street . After hours at QBN Hospital Disability Discrimination Legal Service 6247 2018 WIREDD 6248 8600 Tenants Advice Service 6247 2011 Women’s Information Resources & Education on Drugs and Dependency provides Office of the Community Advocate 6207 0707 counselling, advocacy and referrals for woman. Prisoners Aid ACT 6257 4866 EMERGENCY CONTACTS Quamby Youth Centre 6207 0600 AMBULANCE 000 Victims of Crime 6257 8452 CALVARY HOSPITAL 6201 6111 Welfare Rights & Legal Centre (Tue 6-8pm) 6247 2177 POLICE EMERGENCIES 000 Women’s Legal Centre Inc 6257 4499 POLICE ATTENDENCE 11 444 Youth Justice 6207 0766 CANBERRA HOSPITAL 6244 2222 MEN EMERGENCY DPT (TCH) 6244 2611 SAMSSA male sexual assault 6262 7377 POISONS INFORMATION SERVICE 13 11 26 Murringu Men’s Centre 6257 1223 ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIGHT ISLANDER MENTAL HEALTH Aboriginal Hostel LTD 6212 2001 ACT Mental Health Crisis Team (24 hrs) 1800 629 354 Aboriginal Legal Service 6249 8488 Hyson Green 6201 6000 Aboriginal Health clinic 6249 7555 QBN Mental Health Service 6298 0255 Gugan Gulwan 6295 8500 Richmond Fellowship 6248 6118 Winnunga Nimmityjah Health Service 6249 7555 Mental Health Foundation ACT Inc. 6282 6658 ACCOMMODATION WOMEN Canberra Emergency Acc. Service 6257 2333 Women’s Health Service (clinicl) 6298 9233 Ainslie Village 6257 5923 Canberra Centre for Health Matters (info and referral) 6290 2166 Belleden Service (women under 25) 6231 2221 YOUTH SERVICES St Jude’s Family Support Service 6294 9034 ACT Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service 6205 1971 Family Accommodation Service 6298 0112 AXYS Youth Service (YWCA) 6257 1640 YWCA Family Housing Service 6242 6211 Canberra Youth Outreach Support Service 6257 1640 HEALTH CENTRES Gay Youth 6257 2855 City {Main Switchboard} 6205 5111 Lowanna Young Women’s Service 6231 3297 Phillip 6205 1444 The Junction Youth Health Service 6247 5567 Marlow (accommodation) 6241 5999 25 NEW FIT EVERY HIT!!!!

Looking for a clean Fit?

Get 24 hour, 7 days a week service

VENDING MACHINE AT Queanbeyan District Hospital Located outside of the Admin entrance

$3 for five 1mls, five swabs, 1 sterile water and spoon all contained in a Fitpack®

$1 buys two condoms and lube.

FREE FITPACKS IN QBN

BUSINESS HOURS Reception—Community Health Centre, Antill St Queanbeyan Mon – Fri 830am –5pm. Closed weekends and public holidays

AFTER HOURS NSP Cupboard—Hospital Emergency Department Entrance Queanbeyan Mon – Fri 5pm – 830am and anytime on weekends and public holidays

26 Injecting Equipment! - where to get it

This is a list of primary, secondary and pharmacy outlets for fits. The information here was updated August 2004. If you find any mistakes, give CAHMA a call on 6262 5295 to tell us, and help out your fellow user by doing so :)

Primary Outlets Supply: Safety Packs: 27gauge Syringes, Water, Alcohol Swabs, Spoon, Cotton wool, Personal Sharps Container. Various Medical Equipment: including Barrels 3ml,5ml,10ml,20ml and Tips 19gauge, 21gauge, 23gauge, 25gauge, 27gauge. Primary out- lets also supply wheel or pill filters, tourniquets, butterflys 23guage, 25guage, I.V. Catheters 14guage, 16guage, bandaids, condoms and different size disposal bins.

NOTE: Directions drop-in and counselling hours are different to NSP hours— Drop-in and counselling operate 9-5 Monday to Friday.

Primary Outlets Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Directions ACT Open 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 9am Closed 33A East Row, Civic Ph: 6248 7677 Closed 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 5pm Closed

CAHMA Open 11am 10am 10am 10am 10am Closed Closed Room G33, rear of Griffin Centre, 19 Bunda St, Civic. Ph: 6262 5295 Closed 5pm 5pm 5pm 5pm 5pm Closed Closed

Secondary Outlets Supply: Safety Packs: 27gauge Syringes, Water, Alcohol Swabs, Spoon, Cotton wool, Personal Sharps Container.

Secondary Outlets Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun AIDS Action Council Open 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am Closed Closed Westlund House 16 Gordon St., Acton Closed 5pm 5pm 5pm 5pm 5pm Closed Closed Ph: 6257 2855 Alcohol & Drug Service City Health Build. Cnr Open 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am Closed Closed Moore & Alinga St. City Closed 5pm 5pm 5pm 5pm 5pm Closed Closed Ph: 6205 4515 Belconnen Health Centre Open 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am Closed Closed Swanson St & Benjamin Way, Belconnen Closed 4:50pm 4:50pm 4:50pm 4:50pm 4:50pm Closed Closed Ph: 6205 1133 Narrabundah Health Centre Open 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am Closed Closed Boolimba Cres, Narrabundah Ph: 6295 2077 Closed 5:30pm 5:30pm 5:30pm 5:30pm 5:30pm Closed Closed

Phillip Health Centre Open 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am Closed Closed Cnr. Corrina & Keltie St. Woden Closed 5pm 5pm 5pm 5pm 5pm Closed Closed Ph: 6205 1444 Tuggeranong Health Centre Open 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am Closed Closed Cnr. Anketell & Pitman Sts. Tuggeranong Closed 4:50pm 4:50pm 4:50pm 4:50pm 4:50pm Closed Closed Ph: 6205 2700

Pharmacy Outlets Supply: Pharmacies stock 4packs (cost $2.00): 4 27gauge Syringes, Water, Alcohol Swabs, Spoon, Cotton wool, Yellow Fit Container

Pharmacy Outlets Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

Ainslie (Chemart) 7 Edgar St. Ainslie Open 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am 9:30am Ph: 6248 7708 Fax: 6230 0012 Closed 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 1pm 12:30pm [email protected] Public Hols = Sunday Hrs. Closed Good Fri & Xmas Day Campbell Pharmacy Open 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 9am Closed Blamey Pl. Campbell Closed 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 12pm Ph: 6248 0783 Fax: 6248 0791 Closed Sundays and Public Holidays Charnwood (Capital) Open 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 9am 9am The Small Mall, Charnwood Closed 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm Ph: 6258 4949 Fax: 6249 7299 Open Good Fri 9am-5pm. Other Pub Hols = Sunday Hours

27 Where to get injecting equipment— pharmacies that sell fitpacks

Pharmacy Outlets Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun City Markets Chemart City Markets Open 8am 8am 8am 8am 8am 9am 10am Ph: 6249 8074 Fax: 6249 8309 Closed 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 9pm 6pm 5pm [email protected] Closed Good Fri & Xmas Day. Anzac Day 1pm – 6pm. Other Pub Hol 10am - 6pm

City - David Moses Open 7:45am 7:45am 7:45am 7:45am 7:45am 8:30am Closed West Row Civic Closed 5:45pm 5:45pm 5:45pm 5:45pm 5:45pm 12pm Closed Ph: 6247 4664 Fax: 6257 7396 Closed Sundays and Public Holidays City – Develin 3 Garema Place, Civic Open 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 9:30am Closed Ph: 6248 5250 Fax: 6257 5172 Closed 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 9pm 5pm Closed [email protected] Closed Sundays and Public Holidays

Pyes Pharmacy Plus Open 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 9pm 10:30am Canberra Centre, Civic Closed 5.30pm 5.30pm 5.30pm 5.30pm 9pm 5pm 4pm Ph: 6248 0905 Fax: 6249 7299 Closed Public Holidays Curtin(Capital) Curtin Place, Curtin Open 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am Closed Ph: 6281 1058 Fax: 6285 3470 Closed 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 4pm Closed [email protected] Closed Sundays and all Public Holidays Deakin Pharmacy Duffy Pl. Deakin Open 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 9am Closed Ph: 6281 3420 Fax: 6282 1681 Closed 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 12:30pm Closed [email protected] Closed Sundays and Public Holidays Fyshwick Pharmacy Gladstone St., Fysh Open 7:30am 7:30am 7:30am 7:30am 7:30am 8am Closed Fax: 620 4074 Closed 5:45pm 5:45pm 5:45pm 5:45pm 5:45pm 12:30pm Closed Closed Sundays and Public Holidays Higgins (Guardian) Higgins Pl., Higgins Open 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 9am Closed Ph: 6254 0484 Fax: 6254 0086 Closed 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 1pm Closed Closed Sundays and Public Holidays Holder Pharmacy Holder Shopping Centre Open 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 9am Closed Ph: 6288 4888 Fax: 6288 4888 Closed 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 1pm Closed [email protected] Closed Sundays and Public Holidays Hughes Pharmacy Hughes Shopping Centre Open 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 9am 9am Ph: 6281 2581 Fax: 6281 2581 Closed 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 12pm 12pm Open all Public Holidays for Sunday hours Jamison Chemworld Open 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am Jamison Centre, Maquarie Closed 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 5pm 1pm Ph: 6251 2581 Fax: 6251 2361 Closed all Public Holidays

Karabar Chemmart Open 8am 8am 8am 8am 8am 8:30am 8:30am Karabar Shopping Centre, Qybn Closed 8pm 8pm 8pm 8pm 8pm 7pm 7pm Ph: 6297 3670 Fax: 6299 3894 Open Public Holidays from 9am – 6pm Kippax Soul Pattinson Kippax Fair,Holt Open 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am 10am PH: 6254 8550 Fax: 6254 8510 Closed 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 2pm 2pm [email protected] Public Holidays 10am – 2pm. Closed Good Fri & Xmas Day Lyneham(Capital) Wattle St., Lyneham Open 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am Closed Ph: 6247 7004 Fax: 6249 8912 Closed 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm Closed [email protected] Closed all Public Holidays Manuka Soul Pattinson Shop 8, Manuka Open 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am Closed Closed Arcade, Franklin St, Manuka Closed 5:30pm 5:30pm 5:30pm 5:30pm 5:30pm Closed Closed Ph: 6232 7699 Fax: 6232 7699 Closed all Public Holidays Narrabundah Pharmacy Open 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am Closed Narrabundah Shopping Centre Closed 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 1pm Closed Ph: 6295 8274 Fax: 6239 4956 Closed Sundays and Public Holidays Red Hill Pharmacy Red Hill Shops Open 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am Closed Ph: 6295 8046 Fax: 6295 3157 Closed 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 1pm Closed [email protected] Closed Sundays and Public Holidays Southlands(Capital) Open 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am 9am Southlands Shopping Centre, Mawson Closed 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 6pm 6pm Ph: 6286 3644 Fax: 6286 6723 Sunday Opening Times on Public Holidays. Closed Good Friday & Xmas Day [email protected] Tuggeranong Capital Tugg. Hyperdome Open 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 9am 10am Ph: 6293 1166 Fax: 6293 1274 Closed 6pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 9pm 5pm 4pm [email protected] Closed all Public Holidays Tuggeranong Soul Pattinsons Open 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 8:30am 9am 10am Tugg. Hyperdome Closed 5:30pm 5:30pm 5:30pm 5:30pm 9pm 5pm 4pm Ph: 6293 1050 Sunday opening times on Public Holidays. Closed Good Friday & Xmas Day

28

CAHMA Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation & Advocacy

Users working for Users

information

support

advocacy

without the crap

CAHMA PO Box 78 Braddon ACT, 2612

Griffin Centre, Room G33, 19 Bunda St, Civic P: 6262 5295 F: 6262 8381 E: [email protected]