BIRMINGHAM HYPODERMIC

EDITORIAL

I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO START BY THANKING THE SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HELPED ME GET THIS SITE UP AND
RUNNING ,AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO STEVE FREER FOR ALL OF HIS WORK.THE SITE HAS AVERAGED ABOUT TEN HITS A DAY
FOR ITS FIRST FORTNIGHT UP AND RUNNING.WHICH IN MY HUMBLE OPINION IS NOT BAD FOR A SITE COVERING THIS
SUBJECT MATTER.
I WOULD NOW LIKE TO MAKE 2 APPEALS ,FIRSTLY TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT THIS WEBSITE BY PROVIDING ME
WITH THE LATEST DETAILS OF THE SERVICES THEY RUN,AND SECONDLY TO USERS AND RECOVERING OR RECOVERED ADDICTS
THAT I HOPE WILL USE THIS SITE AS A RESOURCE,TO PROVIDE ME WITH THEIR LIFE STORIES,POETRY,PICTURES AND
FILMS TO DISPLAY ON THE WEBSITE.
I WILL UPDATE THE SITE WEEKLY AND IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT ME,MY EMAIL IS AT THE FOOT OF EVERY PAGE.

WITH THANKS FOR NOW:NICK-EDITOR.

MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE BIRMINGHAMHYPODERMIC WEBSITE.



I WILL PUBLISH THE WEBSITE IN ORDER TO MEET AND TO DEVELOP AND HELP SUPPORT WHAT IS TERMED USER INVOLVMENT

IN BIRMINGHAM.THE WEBSITE WILL AIM FOR REPRESENTATION OF THOSE IN SERVICES AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT.

1/BE A WEBSITE WHO WILL CAMPAIGN FOR CHANGE AND IDENTIFY GAPS IN SERVICE.I WILL ALSO AIM TO REVIEW

SERVICE QUALITY AND LINK INTO THE BIRMINGHAM DAT TEAM,THROUGH MY LINKS WITH BIRMINGHAM SERVICE USER GROUPS.


2/WORK ALONGSIDE THE MEDIA/COMMUNITIES TO WORK TOWARDS ADDRESSING STIGMAS AND EDUCATE OTHERS.

3/TO REPRESENT OTHER SERVICE USERS AT CONFRENCES AND OTHER WEBSITES INCLUDING PLANNING MEETINGS.


AIMS,OBJECTIVES AND VALUES.

PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS,AS CITIZENS OF BIRMINGHAM,HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY AND BE HEARD HOW THEY WANT THEIR OPINIONS
DELIVERED.THE WEBSITE WILL RECOGNISE THIS UNIQUE VIEW ON TREATMENT THAT CAN BE PROVIDED.

I WILL ENDEAVOR TO CREATE A LONG TERM WEBSITE TO ENSURE THAT THE SERVICE PLANNERS LISTEN TO AND TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF PEOPLE WHO USE DRUG SERVICES,GIVING EVERYONE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUBLISH THEIR VIEWS IF
THEY WISH TO.

I WILL ENDEAVOR TO CAMPAIGN THROUGH MY LINKS TO SERVICE USER GROUPS, AND EX DRUG USERS ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO CONTRIBUTE.

I WILL HELP TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY THROUGH THE CO-OPERATION OF OTHER WEBSITES.


FROM YOUR EDITOR.

Why the world needs an international network

of activists who use drugs.

We are people from around the world who use drugs. We are people who have been marginalized and discriminated against; we have been killed, harmed unnecessarily, put in jail, depicted as evil, and stereotyped as dangerous and disposable . Now it is time to raise our voices as citizens, establish our rights and reclaim the right to be our own spokespersons striving for self-representation and self-empowerment:

To enable and empower people who use drugs legal or deemed illegal worldwide t o survive, thrive and exert our voices as human beings to have meaningful input into all decisions that affect our own lives.

To promote a better understanding of the experiences of people who use illegal drugs, and particularly of the destructive impact of current drug policies affecting drug users, as well as our non-using fellow-citizens: this is as an important element in the local, national, regional and international development of these social policies.

To use our own skills and knowledge to train and educate others, particularly our peers and any other fellow-citizens concerned with drugs in our communities.

To advocate for universal access to all the tools available to reduce the harm that people who use drugs face in their day-to-day lives, including, i) drug treatment, appropriate medical care for substance use , ii) regulated access to the pharmaceutical quality drugs we need ii) availability of safer consumption equipment, including syringes and pipes as well as iii) facilities for their safe disposal, iv) peer outreach and honest up-to-date information about drugs and all of their uses, including v) safe consumption facilities that are necessary for many of us.

To establish our right to evidence-based and objective information about drugs, and how to protect ourselves against the potential negative impacts of drug use through universal access to equitable and comprehensive health and social services, safe, affordable, supportive housing and employment opportunities

To provide support to established local, national, regional, and international networks of people living with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis and other harm reduction groups, making sure that active drug users are included at every level of decision-making, and specifically that we are able to serve on the boards (of directors) of such organizations and be fairly reimbursed for our expenses, time and skills.

To challenge the national legislation and international lconventions that currently disable most of us from living safe, secure and healthy lives.

Well aware of the potential challenges of building such a network, we strive for :

Value and respect diversity and recognize each other's different backgrounds, knowledge, skills and capabilities, and cultivate a safe and supportive environment within the network regardless of which drugs we use or how we use them

Spread information about our work in order to support and encourage development of user organizations in communities/countries where there are no such organizations

Promote tolerance, cooperation and collaboration, fostering a culture of inclusion and active participation.

Democratic principles and creating a structure that promotes maximum participation in decision making,

Maximum inclusion with special focus to those who are disproportionately vulnerable to oppression on the basis of their gender identit

YOUR HOSTS STEVE FREER AND NICK WARE