Peer Based Harm Reduction WA

08/04/2026

The theme for World Health Day - “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” - sounds nice on a poster, but for people who use drugs, it is fundamentally flawed.

It suggests that everyone starts at the same place. But what about those “beginning” from decades of systemic neglect and punishment? What about people who face social, economic, geographic, and systemic barriers to equitable access? If “universal health coverage” doesn’t include the person injecting in a regional alleyway today, it isn’t really universal, it’s just PR.

PBHR WA meets people exactly where they are. It’s about ensuring that care is accessible, non-judgmental, and led by the needs of the community rather than the convenience of the system.

True equity isn’t about a hopeful future; it’s about dignity in the present.

31/03/2026

With the month of April, the Noongar season, ‘Djeran,’ commences. Djeran spans both April and May and is represented by the colour green, as it is the time of the year where the cooler weather begins.

Djeran season sees a break from the really hot weather of Bunuru. Key indicators that “Noongar autumn” has begun are mild sunny days and cooler nights that bring a dewy presence in the early mornings. The winds also change, especially in their intensity, with light cool breezes generally swinging from the south and south-west. The combination of dew and occasional light showers with warm days encourages flying ants to emerge. These are ordinary ants, but at this season some will grow wings so they can mate and establish new nests. You may see swarms of them emerging from the ground, or groups cruising around in the light winds.

Another indicator of seasonal change at this time of year is a noticeable decrease in spider activity. As the intense heat breaks and overnight temperatures drop, some spider species will enter a state of dormancy and be found in fewer numbers. Some spiders that live in low, exposed areas will die, having laid their egg sacs under bark or in curled leaves. The eggs remain snuggly protected by their silken sacs, ensuring the next generation will hatch in the coming seasons of Kambarang or Birak (roughly September to December).

Djeran arrives in a flash of red, led by the blossoms of the Boorn or Red Flowering Gum (Corymbia ficifolia), and the Kalbarri or Summer Flame (Beaufortia aestiva). Across the Perth landscape, the Kwel or She-oaks (Allocasuarina fraseriana) begin to develop their distinct rusty hue and seed cones, while many species of flowering banksias provide nectar for local birds and small mammals.

As the air grows cool and damp, the season signals a time of preparation; traditionally, this was when mia mias (shelters) were reinforced and positioned to provide a dry, warm sanctuary against the coming wintery months of Makuru.

30/03/2026

In Western Australia, we believe that every member of our community deserves to be healthy and safe. We look out for one another, and we value health care that is based on evidence.

But right now, outdated thinking is acting as a barrier to that safety. Despite a drug market that is more volatile and toxic than ever, Western Australia remains without a single public drug checking service. Current policy has not and cannot stop drugs from entering our community, it has only made them more dangerous - unpredictable potency, toxic adulterants, and information gaps that force people to "test" substances on themselves, leading to harm that could have been prevented.

There is ample scientific evidence that drug checking services do not encourage drug use, but that they do save lives. They give people the information they need to make safer choices. They create a bridge to health services and other supports if people need them. They provide protection by identifying dangerous contaminants or novel drugs before they cause harm in our community.

It’s time for Western Australia to catch up with the evidence. By bringing drug checking to Western Australia, we would be choosing to prioritise protecting the life and health of people in our community. Let’s work to ensure that safety and the ability to make informed choices is available to everyone.

27/03/2026

24/03/2026

Have you ever wondered why it is recommended to get a hep C test every 6 to 12 months if you are someone who injects drugs?

The answer is simple… A person who is living with hep C may not realise that they have it. Even though they aren’t noticing any symptoms, hep C can still be damaging their liver. The only way to truly know your hep C status is to get tested and find out the test result.

People can have hep C more than once. Even if they’ve had hep C and cleared the virus in the past, they could have hep C again if they have been exposed to the blood of a person who has it.

The good news is that testing for hep C can be as simple as a finger prick. It’s free to access and you’ll get your test result quickly. If you’ve never been told you have hep C before, you could know your test result in as little as 15 minutes. If you’ve had hep C before, you’ll get your result in as little as 1 hour.

Finger-prick hep C testing isn’t available everywhere, but you can access it at PBHR WA. Just roll up to one of our Outreach Health Clinics in the Perth Metro Area or in the South West and Great Southern Regions, or drop in to our Perth or Bunbury sites. You don’t need an appointment, but we recommend calling beforehand on the day to ensure a Nurse or a Peer Worker will be available.

Perth: 9325 8387

Bunbury: 97916699

18/03/2026

Tomorrow is National Close the Gap Day, but at Peer Based Harm Reduction WA, we aren’t buying into the hype.

We’ve reached a point where 'awareness' feels like an insult when the scales haven't shifted. For our First Nations staff, consumers, family, and friends, this day has become a yearly reminder of broken promises and hollow statistics. We refuse to participate in the performance of progress while the life expectancy, health outcomes, and incarceration rates of First Nations people remain a national crisis.

It’s time to stop 'observing' the gap and start listening to those who are forced to live in it.

PBHR WA’s Service Manager and proud Nyaki-Nyaki, Balardung, and Whadjuk woman, Trina, says, “Closing the gap isn't working. It's just another thing the government is failing to address. I wouldn't say I’m angry; I am disappointed to see that First Nations people are still being left behind by the very people who should be helping.”

In the face of those broken promises, Trina believes that PBHR WA is making a genuine effort to shift the experience for our community.

“PBHR WA is trying to close the gap by making sure we are providing a safe environment where First Nations people feel comfortable to come to and have yarn about their health - something most of our consumers don't experience in main stream health settings.”

15/03/2026

Recent events across Australia have reminded us that social cohesion isn’t something we can take for granted. Harmony Week isn’t just about different cultures, it’s about standing up against the racism and prejudice that marginalises members of our community every day.

In harm reduction, we know that "everyone belongs" means nothing if people don't feel safe or respected when expressing themselves or seeking help.

Diversity is our strength, inclusion is our power, but equity is our work. 🌏❤️✌🏼

09/03/2026

Today is the National Day of Women Living with HIV - a time to centre the voices, lives, and experiences of women living with HIV.

Stigma continues to disproportionately affect women who are living with HIV, often creating barriers to the care and connection they deserve. A person’s health status should not and does not define their worth.

It’s time to replace judgment with education and fear with community. ✊❤️

Something we can all do is raise awareness of U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable). U=U is a life-changing fact. It means that when a person takes their HIV medication as prescribed, the amount of virus in their blood stays at undetectable levels and they cannot pass HIV to their partners through s*x. It’s a powerful fact that can help take away fear and stigma, proving that people living with HIV can lead long, healthy lives - including love, the choice to have children, and healthy relationships.

07/03/2026

It’s International Women’s Day. In the harm reduction space, “Nothing About Us Without Us” must include the perspectives of women with lived and living experience. To “Balance the Scales,” we must recognise that the perspectives of women are not just valuable, they are essential.

Female-led insights in research help to identify specific barriers and unique health risks that are too often overlooked in mainstream studies, and these insights can lead to better policy and better services.

In advocacy, lived and living experience is the most powerful weapon we have to dismantle the intersectional stigma that prevents equitable access to justice and care for women who use drugs.

In the everyday world of health and harm reduction, peer-based support by and for women can help to build safety and trust.

For us, today is a day to recognise and celebrate the women who lead our outreach, guide our programs, and advocate for every perspective to be acknowledged.

05/03/2026

Observed every year on March 6th, Black Balloon Day is dedicated to honouring people we have lost to overdose. What began in the US in 2016 has grown into an international movement to prioritise harm reduction and spread awareness about life-saving tools like take-home-naloxone.

Being prepared to lend a hand means knowing how to spot the signs of an opioid overdose and acting fast.

Identify the Signs - Not all opioid overdoses look exactly the same, but stay alert for these red flags:

Loss of Consciousness: The person does not respond to sound or touch.

Breathing Issues: Shallow or gasping breaths, slow breathing (fewer than two breaths every ten seconds), or no breathing at all.

Sound: Gurgling noises, gasping, or heavy, deep snoring.

Physical Changes: Fingertips, lips, or toes may take on a blue or greyish tint.

Take Immediate Action:

1 - Call Triple Zero (000): If the person cannot open their eyes and respond to you, call for an ambulance immediately.

2 - Be Transparent: Tell the operator if you suspect drugs are involved and if you have naloxone on hand. This allows them to give you the most accurate, step-by-step first aid instructions while Paramedics are on their way.

3 - Carry Naloxone: Make sure you know where naloxone is kept and learn how to use it following the DR’S AB’N’CD action plan.

Pick up some free take-home-naloxone and learn how to reverse an opioid overdose at PBHR WA. We can even send you naloxone anonymously in the post! You can find out more about our Take-Home-Naloxone program here: https://harmreductionwa.org/naloxone/

05/03/2026

Today we honour the life and memory of Jude Byrne – a pioneer, a mentor, and a courageous force for good in the world. For more than three decades Jude's fierce advocacy helped shape research and policy and she contributed immeasurably to building the drug user movement, both in Australia and internationally. She never backed down from a fight if it meant protecting her community. She was an insightful teacher, and more than anything she taught us that lived and living experience are expertise, that dignity is non-negotiable, and that health equity and human rights are inextricably linked.

Jude's absence is still deeply felt, but she lives on in every life touched by harm reduction and every advocate who found their voice because of her. Her influence remains at the heart of the harm reduction movement. 💜🔥

01/03/2026

Trust is everything. When a product you’ve relied on for years suddenly looks different, it’s natural to have some concerns.

We want to give you a heads-up about a change coming to BD Ultra-Fine 1mL syringes - Western Australia’s long-time favourite.

What’s Changing?

Nothing really, except the brand name. You’ve known them as “BDs” for a long time, but they are transitioning to a new brand name: embecta. The boxes and cartons will look different, and so will the syringe wrappers. Even the logo on the side of the syringe will change.

What’s Staying the Same?

Everything else! We know how important it is to have equipment you trust. We’ve confirmed that:
✅ It is the exact same syringe.
✅ It is made in the same factory with the same high standards.
✅ The quality, feel, and performance haven't changed at all.

Why the change?

The company that makes these syringes (formerly a part of BD) has simply become its own independent company called embecta.

You’ll start seeing the new embecta packaging moving through our needle and syringe program services soon, but rest assured it’s exactly the same product that you know and trust. If you have any questions or concerns when you see the new branding, please have a chat with our team—we’re here to help!