On April 27, there were 2 protests around the safe injecting room in Richmond, Melbourne. One was calling for its removal, the other supporting it and recognising that people who inject drugs are part of the community. This followed a number of inflammatory articles in the Herald-Sun. Brit Chapman from Harm Reduction Victoria, one of the organisers of the protest supporting the service, said, “We wanted to let the community know that the haters aren’t the only voices that are there and that there are residents who support the service.” 

Throughout history, sex workers have been involved in the global harm reduction movement. In the spirit of community, sex worker peers have shared with Users News their tips and tricks for harm reduction on the job.

“Your infection markers are through the roof ... Ultrasound found an aneurysm the size of a golf ball in your femoral artery. We’ll need to do surgery and I’ll be honest with you: it’s a high-risk procedure.” My mind flitted back to the evening I think it started when my hands were shaking so much from my medication regimen that I hit my artery. Of course, I was so impatient to get my fix in me that I didn’t bother with swabs. Bad mistake.