International Drug Users Day 2022

November 1 marks International Drug Users Day (IDUD). Held annually, the day remembers the movements and protests against the significant lack of and access to treatments and services for people who use drugs (PWUD); particularly in terms of inadequate public health policy and response to the disproportionate rates of blood borne viruses such as hepatitis and HIV amongst communities of PWUD globally who remain highly stigmatised and marginalised populations.

IDUD is a global day of action, where many organisations, advocates, peers and those whose lives have been impacted by illicit drug use show solidarity in raising awareness and showcasing the importance of community-led harm reduction, the power of peer involvement, the harms of drug criminalisation and to advocate for the health and human rights of people who use drugs.

As the Australian peak body for injecting and illicit drug users, AIVL commemorates this day and promotes its observation by continuing to actively advocate for the health and human rights of PWUD, through its policy and project work and having a continual presence amongst Australia’s drug using community, actively listening to our community, and seeking to address and challenge the various barriers and stigma that prevents or prohibits access and continues to see largely preventable deaths and adverse health issues amongst drug using communities.