Hepatitis C and injecting drug use

31 October 2003

The National Centre in HIV Social Research will launch three reports on hepatitis C and injecting drug use on Friday 31 October at the Australian National Maritime Museum. These reports, which represent the culmination of a number of years' research by the NCHSR, are:

They cover the important issues of initiation into injecting drug use, messages which could be used to promote safe injecting practice, and living with hepatitis C.

"The message from these reports is that we must develop strategies and programs to address the issues which put youth at risk," Dr Carla Treloar, research fellow at the National Centre in HIV Social Research, said. "We also need innovative education and prevention messages for people already engaged in high risk behaviours for hepatitis C."

"People with hepatitis C often do not receive sufficient information about their condition or referral on diagnosis. These factors have the potential to alienate large numbers of people with hepatitis C from a range of health and information services, and impede attempts to prevent the further spread of infection," Dr Treloar said.

Speakers at the launch will be: A/Professor Nick Crofts, Director, The Centre for Harm Reduction and Deputy Director, The Burnet Institute (key address); Ms Annie Madden, Executive Officer, the Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users' League (AIVL); Mr Jack Wallace, Executive Officer of the Australian Hepatitis Council and Dr Carla Treloar (NCHSR, UNSW).

What: Launch of three reports on HCV and IDU
When: Friday 31 October 2003 at 11.30-12.30
Where: Australian Maritime Museum, 2 Murray St, Darling Harbour

CONTACT DETAILS: Louisa Wright, UNSW Media unit, tel. 9385 3644, email l.wright@unsw.edu.au
Dr Carla Treloar, NCHSR, tel. 9385 6959, c.treloar@unsw.edu.au
Dean Murphy, NCHSR, tel. 02 9385 6408, d.Murphy@unsw.edu.au