Health and Human Rights Summit – Open Forum: Advancing the Wellbeing of People Who Use Drugs

João Santa Maria is a peer worker and co-coordinator at GAT IN Mouraria, with a journey marked by a commitment to defending human rights. A drug user and person who experienced homelessness for 13 years, João lives with HIV and is an advocate for the rights of people who use drugs and those living with HIV. He joined GAT (Group of Activists in Treatment) in 2005, and since 2012, has worked as a peer supporter at the GAT IN Mouraria project, a harm reduction centre and peer-led DCR. is a peer worker and co-coordinator at GAT IN Mouraria, with a journey marked by a commitment to defending human rights. A drug user and person who experienced homelessness for 13 years, João lives with HIV and is an advocate for the rights of people who use drugs and those living with HIV. He joined GAT (Group of Activists in Treatment) in 2005 and, since 2012, has worked as a peer supporter at the GAT IN Mouraria project, a harm reduction centre and peer-led DCR.

Malu Salazar is a harm reduction worker and co-coordinator at GAT (Group of Activists in Treatment) in Mouraria. She is a social worker and activist for the rights of people who use drugs. She has been working in the harm reduction movement since 2018 with the communities of people who use drugs, migrants and sex workers. Malu is a member of EURONPUD (European Network of People Who Use Drugs) and a peer volunteer in Kosmicare. Currently, Malu is also working at de Regenboog Groep (Amsterdam, Netherlands) as a harm reduction worker in a DCR and walk-in centre for migrants who use drugs and experience homelessness.

Annie is the Executive Director of Harm Reduction Australia and Project Lead at the International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD). She is also a principal of 2SqPegs Consulting – a health & social policy consulting business.

Prior to these appointments, Annie was CEO of the Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) for 16 years until April 2016 and EO of the NSW Users & AIDS Association (NUAA) from 1994 to 2000. She is a founding member of Harm Reduction Australia, is well-published in relation to people who inject drugs, OST and BBVs and has held numerous high-level appointments.

Annie has dedicated her entire professional career to promoting the health and human rights of people who inject drugs.

Robert Simms is a Member of the Legislative Council in the Parliament of South Australia.

Over the past decade Robert has been a passionate advocate for progressive values and South Australian communities at every level of government.

As the first out gay man to represent South Australia in federal parliament, Robert was a strong voice for LGBTI rights in Canberra, from defending Safe Schools programs to holding the Turnbull Government to account over its needlessly divisive and Marriage Equality plebiscite.

He also led the push to overturn an outdated ban on gay men donating blood in Australia, and won Senate support for vital HIV prevention drug PrEP to be fast-tracked in Australia. Locally, Robert also drove the push for the world’s longest Rainbow Walk to be installed in Adelaide’s CBD, laying down a prominent and permanent show of Pride in the heart of the city.