We commend the Ministerial Advisory Council on Drugs (the Council) for developing this timely discussion paper, particularly for its focus on identifying and responding to new trends emerging in drug use and its impacts. We note that the Council is interested in examining issues that might impact on

prevalence of licit and illicit drug use in particular populations. Our member organisation, the Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users’ League (AIVL) is the national peak organisation representing state and territory drug user organisations regarding issues affecting people who use or have used illicit drugs, and friends and family of people who have used illicit drugs. AIVL has made a separate submission in response to the Consultation Paper, which we recommend to the Council.

AFAO’s submission focuses on the impacts of alcohol and drug use on populations at-risk of or affected by HIV. Given that the HIV epidemic in Australia is primarily among gay men, it is important to acknowledge the complex relationship between drug use and the disproportionately high rates of depression, suicide and self-harm among gay men.

This submission also particularly focuses on the emerging HIV epidemic among ATSI injecting drug users, and the need to target affected ATSI populations in HIV prevention, treatment and harm-reduction strategies.

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