Leading the Way: A Peer-Led National Research Strategy for People Who Use Drugs

The start of 2025 has been an exciting time for AIVL’s National Research Program. At the heart of these developments is the establishment of the AIVL National Research Strategy Working Group, a critical step toward the creation of Australia’s first National Research Strategy for People Who Use Drugs, by People Who Use Drugs. No such national framework currently exists, making this a landmark initiative in peer-led research, data sovereignty, and community-driven advocacy. Through this strategy, AIVL is strengthening the leadership, authority, and capacity of people who use drugs, ensuring that research about our communities is not only informed by lived-living experience but also controlled and led by those it directly impacts.

A pivotal development was the first meeting of the AIVL National Research Strategy Working Group that will function as the main leadership and advisory mechanism to oversee the development and rollout of the pioneering National Research Strategy for People Who Use Drugs, by People Who Us Drugs. No national strategy of this kind presently exists, and AIVL is committed to delivering on a truly peer-led and community controlled strategic framework, which develops and promotes our sector’s own data sovereignty and authority, while building individual capacity and capability, and genuine participation and input avenues for people who use drugs. The Working Group’s formation is fundamental to embedding peer leadership and direction – comprising one to two representatives from across AIVL’s national network of drug user organisations (DUOs).

The initial Working Group gathering was held 25 February 2025, and will now be a routine monthly occurrence. The first meeting was especially focused on achieving roundtable dialogue to bed down the Group’s agreed rules and operating terms, which is reflected in a Terms of Reference document that underpins the group. Follow-on meetings prioritise confirmation and commencement of the agreed steps and measures needed to collectively review, refine and confirm the draft Research Strategy and its underlying Vision, Priorities, Targets and Activities. Key outputs and deliverables of the Working Group include a final peer-reviewed and endorsed Research Strategy, an underpinning Implementation plan and guidance advice to DUO’s in help, and a best practice monitoring framework to oversee and monitor the Strategy’s progressive rollout and realisation.

AIVL and the Working Group will develop and implement  regular communication and feedback pathways to provide Members and community with regular information and updates regarding the Research Strategy’s formal development and implementation readiness – including direct peer input and participation pathways. This is an exciting development for our national community and sector, and represents a real and tangible opportunity to grow and formalise our own data and evidence to better advocate and respond to the needs of people who use drugs.

For more information about AIVL National Research Strategy contact our Research Lead, Jess Doumany jess@aivl.org.au