QuIHN: Queensland Injectors Health Network.

1. Report for AIVL AGM, Canberra, Oct 2008 QuIHN:Queensland Injectors Health Network.

2. QuIHN profile. • 15 unpaid staff (including student placements) • 50 paid staff, including a volunteer coordinator • Funding from a range of State, Commonwealth and business sources. • QuIHN is represented at a numerous range of different advisory groups and inter-agencies. • QuIHN participates in research related to issues experienced by PWID through National projects such as the National NSP Survey, Finger Prick Survey etc.

3. Programs • QuIHN’s Needle & Syringe Program (NSP). • 3 primary NSP: Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast. • Nearly 20 000 client contacts 2007 – 08, • average age 36.5 years • Most used drugs: ATS, heroin and morphine (MS contin) • Peer Education – The Mix-Up Project (MUP): 55 MUP training sessions to approximately 325 client participants.

4. Programs • Workforce development: in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Rockhampton and Cairns and other areas. Parent Child and Family Program components: • Parent Support Training Programt • QuIHN Koping Adolescent Program • QuIHN KIDZ CLUB • Significant Others/ Carers Workshop- • The Parent Support Group • Individual counselling

5. Gold Coast Hepatitis C Awareness Week, 2007, 08 Mirikai Gold Coast Drug Council Event, 2008 BBQ and CPR training, 2008 Drug Action Week, 2008 Sunshine Coast Overdose Awareness Day, 2007 University of Sunshine Coast ‘Orientation Week’ World AIDS Day ... Rockhampton,Cairns, Statewide. Programs: Health Promotion Activities. • Brisbane • Overdose Awareness Day, 2007 • Picnics in the Park, 2007, 08 • Hepatitis C Awareness Week, 2007. • Queens Park, Brisbane City Awareness Event. • Homeless Connect, 2007, 08 • Drug Action Week, 2008 • Pride Fair Day, 2008 • Mental Health GP Partners Expo, 2008 • North Stradbroke Island Community Expo, 2008

6. Client Support, Referrals and Advocacy • 1,010 referrals for individual clients • Examples of client advocacy: • on behalf of clients with dual diagnosis accessing mental health services; • post prisoner release needs; • accessing drug treatment services; • support in relation to family and children issues; • responding to accommodation needs. • Systemic advocacy efforts targeting media, general community, business, local and state politicians to improve understanding of the needs of injecting and illicit drug users.

7. Publications & Multi-Media • www.saferinjecting.net • A Guide to Coping: support for families faced by problematic drug use: • Tracks Magazine for Illicit Drug Users: the “Tracks Magazine for Illicit Drug Users” • “InHouse Services” Brochures: • “Safer Injecting” Brochure • “Wheel Filters” Brochure • “Mix Up Project” (MUP) Multimedia DVD Package: • “QuIHN Volunteering” Brochure:

8. What's next? • Re-model NSP services to enhance mobile NSP outreach • Enhance and refine treatment services • Up-skill all areas of staff through internal and external professional development • Continue Mix Up review, • QuIHN Brisbane (and Gold coast) Housing issues

9. Thank you!