No one likes using the dirties – A study into the re-use of injecting equipment in Australia

This report contains the findings of a peer-based qualitative research study into the re-use1 of injecting equipment in Australia. It was undertaken by the Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) who conducted the research between 2013 and 2015.

The impetus for this research came from a growing frustration felt by drug user organisations (DUO) and others in relation to the consistently high rates of re-use of injecting equipment being reported in Australia over recent years.

Re-using injecting equipment is a concern as it can increase the risk of transmitting and acquiring blood-borne viruses (BBV) such as hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It can also contribute to bacterial infections and poor vein health for people who inject drugs (PWID).