Efthimiou A; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1992 Jul 19-24; 8: D481 (abstract no. PoD 5568).
ISSUE/PROBLEM: The establishment of drug-user self-help organisations. In recent years a greater effort has been made to enable the development of self-help networks for injection drug users (IDU's). However, sometimes some very poignant factors have been overlooked which has led such groups to be set up to fail. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: In the light of HIV amongst IDU's & the consequent further infringement of their civil rights, one of the purposes of such initiatives is, for example, to exert peer pressure on each other to use injecting paraphernalia along general guidelines of Harm Minimisation, & also to press each other to follow safer sex guidelines. However in the enthusiasm to move forward with such projects, "professional supporters/allies" have not given enough attention to essential issues. These can include, 1) the lack of experience of participants in developing complex organisational structures, 2) the management of budgets and funding applications to both national and international bodies, & 3) the fantastic wealth of knowledge and experience drug-users have about drug-related matters. RESULTS: To see the need for rallying ex/current drug-users who have already had experience of setting up drug-user self-help. Request that they address diverse audiences which include drug-users & their professional allies who may be willing to establish such networks--perhaps at conferences similar to this one. This then gathers like-minded people together in solidarity, who have experience & can prevent these groups falling down, which disempowers already heavily disenfranchised individuals. LESSONS LEARNED: That regular national & international forums need development, where motivated &/or experienced drug-user advocates can meet, share experiences, information and organisational development news about for example, HIV prevention in different phases. And that these forums need to be supported financially & professionally by allies, & others whose heart is in the prevention of mass HIV epidemics amongst IDU's around the world.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Behavior
- Civil Rights
- Ego
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Behavior
- Health Services Needs and Demand
- Organizations
- Public Policy
- Safe Sex
- Social Behavior
- Substance-Related Disorders
- education
- organization & administration
- utilization
Other ID:
UI: 102200771
From Meeting Abstracts