THE ROLE OF CONSUMERS IN TREATMENTS ADVOCACY

Annie Madden, Executive Officer

Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL)

Consumers – what does this mean?

Context – what are the key issues for people who access treatment?

Treatments Self-Advocacy – what is it and why is it so important?

Barriers – what are the barriers to treatments self-advocacy in Asia?

OVERVIEW

What does the term “consumers” mean in relation to drug treatment?: Those who “consume” or “use” drug

treatment services “Service users” Basically, people who are on drug treatment

programs – in this case – Subutex or Suboxone treatment.

CONSUMERS & TREATMENTS ADVOCACY

What is the context in which drug treatment happens?

What are the key issues for people who come forward for drug treatment?

What is life like for many illicit drug users?

CONSUMERS & TREATMENTS ADVOCACY

Extreme levels of stigma & discrimination; Regularly brutalised and harassed by

police; Ostracised from mainstream society; Criminalised by unjust drug laws; Routinely imprisoned in inhumane

conditions;

CONSUMERS & TREATMENTS ADVOCACY

Isolated from family and friends; Treated poorly by many health services (where

they exist); Stereotyped as untrustworthy and dangerous; Prevented from taking control of their health

and wellbeing; Vulnerable to life threatening diseases; May even be sentenced to death.

CONSUMERS & TREATMENTS ADVOCACY

Difficult does not mean impossible INPUD Asia – strong and growing network of

people who use/have used illicit drugs and people on drug treatment

Peer-based drug user organisations – established or developing in many Asian countries at the national and local levels

Asian drug users and people on drug treatment are already speaking for themselves…

CONSUMERS & TREATMENTS ADVOCACY

Benefits of effective consumer advocacy: The more you know about consumer needs

– the more effectively you meet those needs; Programs that better meet the needs of

clients will have a better chance of retaining people in treatment;

Research evidence shows the longer people are retained in treatment the better their treatment outcomes;

CONSUMERS & TREATMENTS ADVOCACY

Benefits of effective consumer advocacy: Drug treatment consumers often have

incredibly valuable insights to offer; Such insights will allow you to improve your

treatment service and provide a program that is: high quality; meets best practice standards; treats consumers with dignity and respect; and achieves good outcomes for consumers.

CONSUMERS & TREATMENTS ADVOCACY

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO INCREASE THE VOICE OF

DRUG TREATMENT CONSUMERS WITHIN ASIA?

CONSUMERS & TREATMENTS ADVOCACY

Currently there are compulsory treatment centres in many Asian countries.

Drug treatment must not be based on punitive models that humiliate and shame people.

In some circumstances people are contracting HIV and hepatitis C while in treatment.

Drug treatment must be a safe environment using evidence-based treatment approaches and treating people with dignity, respect and compassion.

CONSUMERS & TREATMENTS ADVOCACY