The Tasmanian Users Health and Support League (TUHSL) is relaunching under new, skilled peer leadership. TUHSL’s objective is to advance the health and human rights of all Tasmanians who use or inject drugs. The organisation aims to platform the voices of this community at a state level, leading peer-based harm reduction efforts and reducing stigma and discrimination. TUHSL is Tasmania’s only independent Drug User Organisation (DUO), a state-wide, peer-based network, and a member of AIVL, the Australian Illicit and Injecting Drug Users League.
Formed in 1997 and officially incorporated in 2000, TUHSL has a long history of providing systemic advocacy, harm reduction, and peer support for people who use and inject drugs (PWU/ID). Under peer leadership, TUHSL has already achieved significant advocacy outcomes for this community and is committed to continuing this work.
The organisation’s previous efforts focused on preventing the transmission of blood borne viruses (BBVs), including HIV, hepatitis B and C, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), while also challenging stigma and discrimination related to injecting drug use and opioid pharmacotherapy. Moving forward, TUHSL will advocate for drug law reform, sustainable development and funding of peer-based harm reduction services, equitable pharmacotherapy access, and legal protections for people who use and inject drugs throughout Tasmania. TUHSL will continue to be involved in any issue that impacts this community.
Drug User Organisations like TUHSL were originally galvanised during the 80s and 90s in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Networks of PWIDs (People Who Inject Drugs) mobilised, implementing harm reduction principles and practices that contributed to Australia achieving one of the lowest rates of HIV among PWIDs globally. Since then, DUOs have been on the front line of the ongoing Drug War, addressing the harms and deaths it continues to cause.
TUHSL has built strong relationships with Australia’s network of peer-based harm reduction and Drug User Organisations through its long-standing membership with AIVL, the national peer-led peak body. While leveraging these relationships, TUHSL remains an independent and grassroots organisation, focused on representing and addressing the unique needs of the Tasmanian community.
TUHSL is seeking ongoing support to continue challenging social and legal injustices, health inequities, and human rights violations that affect Tasmanians who use and inject drugs.
For further information or to arrange a meeting, please contact TUHSL’s secretary, Emily Ebdon, at emilye@tuhsl.org.au.
