The Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) is the Australian national peak organisation representing the state and territory peer-based drug user organisations and issues of national relevance for people with lived experience of drug use.
OUR PURPOSE
AIVL’s purpose is to advance the health and human rights of people who use/have used illicit drugs. This includes a primary focus on reducing the transmission and impact of blood borne viruses (BBVs) including HIV and hepatitis C, and those accessing drug treatment services, through the effective implementation of peer education, harm reduction, health promotion and policy and advocacy strategies at the national level.
- respecting the rights and dignity of all people
- acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first Australians and respecting their communities’ traditions, views and ways of life
- valuing diversity and promoting equality and social justice
- advancing evidence-informed approaches to policies, programs and services for people who use/have used illicit drugs
- promoting and protecting the health and human rights of people who use/have used illicit drugs and people accessing drug treatment services
- empowering people who use/have used drugs and people accessing drug treatment services to have ownership and self-determined control over their health and wellbeing
- challenging stigma and discrimination in all its forms against people who use/have used illicit drugs
- supporting the right of people who use/have used illicit drugs to form their own organisations, provide peer-driven services and programs, and represent their own needs and interests
- ensuring the meaningful involvement of people who use/have used illicit drugs in the development of policies, programs and services that affect their lives
- promoting and supporting peer-based and harm reduction approaches
- maintaining productive links with organisations, networks and communities of drug users through effective networking and capacity building
- enabling people who use/inject drugs to protect their health including prevention, treatment and management of blood borne viruses through education, information and a supportive
- working in genuine partnership and collaboration with all relevant stakeholders; and being accountable and responsive to the community we are part of and represent.
OUR PRIMARY AIM
Our primary aim is to promote the health and human rights of people who use or have used illicit drugs. The organisation believes people who use/have used illicit drugs should:
- have autonomy over their own bodies
- be treated with dignity and respect
- be able to live their lives free from stigma, discrimination and health and human rights violations.
- address and advocate for the health and human rights issues for all people who use/have used illicit drugs
- prevent the transmission of blood borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis C amongst people who inject drugs primarily through peer education and by promoting peer-based programs, services and approaches
- advocate for the provision of peer-based support and information to those already living with HIV and/or chronic hepatitis C and/or chronic hepatitis B and to promote effective models of service delivery and care for our community
- represent the interests of people who use illicit drugs and people on drug treatment to the general public, governments, the media and relevant sectors and services
- promote the need for radical legal and policy reform in relation to the current approach to addressing illicit drugs in society
- promote the need for services and programs that reduce drug related harm among people who use illicit drugs
- undertake consumer advocacy in relation to drug treatment issues.
OUR HISTORY
- address and advocate for the health and human rights issues for all people who use/have used illicit drugs
- prevent the transmission of blood borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis C amongst people who inject drugs primarily through peer education and by promoting peer-based programs, services and approaches
- advocate for the provision of peer-based support and information to those already living with HIV and/or chronic hepatitis C and/or chronic hepatitis B and to promote effective models of service delivery and care for our community
- represent the interests of people who use illicit drugs and people on drug treatment to the general public, governments, the media and relevant sectors and services
- promote the need for radical legal and policy reform in relation to the current approach to addressing illicit drugs in society
- promote the need for services and programs that reduce drug related harm among people who use illicit drugs
- undertake consumer advocacy in relation to drug treatment issues.