• [A ] Actively promote awareness of women’s needs and their role in combating HIV/AIDS*
• [E ] Eliminate drug and substance abuse

Overview:

1. What we did  - SI Brisbane City has supported annual events including IWD activities and Drug Awareness Workshops for several years.  This year the Club provided raffle prizes, gifts, craft items and notebook / pens for the 2006 International Women's Day luncheon hosted by the Queensland Injectors Health Network (QuIHN).
2. Why we did it – Ongoing Project - QuIHN (previously called Queensland Intravenous AIDS Association (QuIVAA) is a Queensland-wide service with branches in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton and Cairns.  It provides a wide range of services to people who use illicit drugs and support for family members, friends, health professionals and the community, these include:

   • Information and resources concerning illicit drug use are provided through brochures, magazines and our NSPs.
   • Counselling and detox services;
   • Training and education of the effects of illicit drug use and blood borne virus transmission;
   • Needle & Syringe Programs (NSPs) which is linked to the Australian public health strategy to reduce harms associated with drug use for both the user and the wider community.
3. How we did it - The Club works closely with the Education Officer who runs a support group for women who come to the Centre in Fortitude Valley. This year we purchased notebooks when they were on special in January during the return to school sales and donated craft items, gifts and raffle prizes, which were wrapped with ribbon and cards.  The Club’s name was included on the flyer promoting our sponsorship of the event.  
4. Results and recommendations - Supporting established organisation such as QuIHN minimises the effort required by Club Members but maximises the opportunities for more women (many of whom who have drug and substance abuse problems) to celebrate IWD with their families, friends and supporters.