WASUA’s main aim is to improve the health and social circumstances of people who use illicit substances. WASUA provides services that are non-judgmental, GLBTI and user friendly. These include a:
• Health clinic for blood borne viruses and STI testing, peer education and resources on hepatitis B & C.
• Hepatitis A&B and Gardasil vaccinations, vein care and injecting information and general health information.
• Hepatitis C treatment referrals.
• Fixed site and mobile needle exchange, one for one needle/syringe exchange programs (NSEP) in the inner city and south west region.
• Information and education on safe disposal of injecting equipment, safe drug use and safe sex in relation to preventing blood borne viruses as well as other drug related harms.
• Supported referral to drug treatment, legal, social welfare, accommodation and other health services.
• WASUA offers training and education tailored to the alcohol and other drug, health and social services sector, community groups and educational institutes.
I have been in the position of Clinical Nurse Consultant at WASUA for the last 3 years. I wanted to get the word out about WASUA to everyone in the wider community but also to the GLBTI community. WASUA acknowledges people will use drugs and we want to help reduce the risks and harm that can come from drug use.
In WA, over the last year or so, there has been a steady increase in the number of Hepatitis C and HIV infections. Mostly in 15-29 year old age group. We hope through better peer education, safer injecting practices and needle/syringe exchange programs, these rates of infection will decline over the next few years. We have become an integral part of harm reduction work worldwide. Drug users are responsible individuals and by using the exchange to get clean fits they disposing of their equipment safely and reducing their risk of spreading or being infected with blood borne viruses.
In a nutshell, I want to encourage people to come in, see what we have to offer, use the health clinic and just make sure they are being as safe as they possibly can with their drug use.
Col Rodgers, Clinical Nurse, WASUA
