HIV 101 – A Focused Training Guide On People who Use and Inject Drugs

Australia’s quick and effective response to HIV among people who inject drugs has gained international recognition. In the early 1980s, awareness grew about the emerging threat of HIV. People who inject drugs (PWID) played a crucial role in the response by creating peer-based organisations.

These groups pushed for involving affected communities in policy-making, securing funding for peer education, and ensuring access to sterile injecting equipment through needle and syringe programs (NSPs). Later, they advocated for medically supervised injecting centers and drug-checking sites. Although HIV rates have remained low in Australia, ongoing stigma, discrimination, and the criminalisation of PWID—especially those living with HIV (PLHIV) make it hard to find support from peers or healthcare providers who understand their specific needs. This stigma can lead to reluctance in seeking essential services like Opioid Dependence Treatment (ODT) and HIV testing and care.

This course is specifically designed by peers to assist harm reduction workers, health specialists and community to better navigate HIV prevention, treatment, key topics and issues for people who use and inject drugs.