AIVL Handy Hints - 2010 edition

[Tronica]

I did a search and could not locate any recent mention of the Handy Hints guide. This guide is of interest to many of us - some stuff is specific to injecting drugs, but lot more of it is more general, and info is local to Australian states and territories.

Here is the introduction:

Handy Hints was first published in August 1990 in response to HIV/ AIDS. It was designed to educate and inform users of how HIV was transmitted and how to protect themselves. It was revised and updated in 1992 and 2001, it was an extremely popular resource and users came to know it as “the bible”.

By 2001 we had gained so much more information on a variety of issues that affected injecting drug users, in particular hepatitis C (HCV). So Handy Hints was revised and updated to include information on how to avoid transmitting or becoming infected with HCV.

The 2010 edition of Handy Hints has again been expanded. Its emphasis is as always on, preventing the transmission of blood borne viruses; all of them, HIV, Hepatitis A,B,C and D. It provides information on how to avoid some of the other health complications that arise from inappropriate injecting practices, problems such as abscesses and vein collapse.

Handy Hints provides users with an easy reference guide on issues that affect them. It is divided into two sections. Part one (containing Chapters 1-7) provides detailed information on using and related subjects. Part two 'The Law and You' provides a brief summary of legislation that may impact on you and your friends. Part three 'The Directory' provides contacts for your local peer based drug user organisation and other relevant services.

Handy Hints is about looking after yourself, your friends and your community. It is about making sure you are prepared for situations that arise and know how to deal with emergencies.

Handy Hints is produced by the Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) in consultation with our member groups in the States and Territories. We have also had an enormous amount of assistance and support from many other individuals and organisations who are individually thanked in our acknowledgements.

AIVL is the peak national organisation representing the State and Territory drug user groups and issues that affect drug users at a national and international level. AIVL is a peer based group which means it is run by and for people who have or are using illicit drugs. AIVL works to promote the health and human rights of its members.

Download it here: http://www.aivl.org.au/database/sites/default/files/Handy Hints.pdf

 

[belarki]

^ thanks for the link Tronica, I might just add it to one of the stickies

 

[ayjay]

You can generally pick up a copy of handy hints from the bigger needle exchanges - just ask them next time you are in. If they don't have it, hassle them to order some in

 

[Tronica]

I wonder what BL injectors think of this resource. Is it helpful? What could be added to it?

I like that it's been published for 2 decades and is publicly available.

I know the internet filter has fallen off most people's radars. But it's still on the government's agenda. It's interesting that if Refused Classification definition is not changed, publications such as these could be banned. People would say this is unlikely, especially since AIVL is government funded. But, what if religious lobby groups report publications such as these? What if the government is forced to actually apply the new laws as they are written? What if Tony Abbott gets in?

It's important that the government's definition of refused classification does *not* include the phrase 'detailed instruction in drug use'. We are putting in a submission to the current inquiry into media classification to make this case.

 

[ayjay]

I remember Whack magazine (put out by Vivaids - now Harm Reduction Victoria) ended up on the front page of the herald sun - "your taxes encouraging drug use!!!" or something similar.. so yeah could definitely happen again!