On 25 June Uniting hosted a sector conversation, From judgment to compassion: Uniting for a supportive response to illicit drug use and possession.
The event was held to mark Support. Don’t Punish Day, a Global Day of Action calling for drug policies based on health, human rights and harm reduction.
The session brought together people with lived experience, frontline workers, community organisations and sector leaders to spotlight lived experience and explore what happens when our first response to drug use is health-led care and support, rather than condemnation.
In his opening address, Uniting Board Chair, Reverand Alistair Macrae, reflected on Uniting’s longstanding legacy of treating substance users with compassion, recognising the equal rights of everyone to receive the support they need, without judgement.
“Through Uniting services, we walk alongside people and families affected by alcohol and drugs every day.
“We see people facing challenges that are often complex and deeply personal, but more importantly, we see their humanity,” he said.
“Too often, people are reduced to a simple reality, rather than a complex experience of their life, and too often the voices of people who have first-hand experience of these challenges are overlooked and unheard.”
The event’s panel discussion featured lived experience and Uniting Consumer Partner Iliana Richards, Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) CEO Chris Christoforou, and award-winning journalist, author and commentator Luke Williams.
Moderated by Uniting Executive Director Alcohol and Other Drugs, Homelessness and Wellbeing Services, Adrian Webber, the panel explored how stigma plays out in everyday life, what helps people feel safe enough to ask for support, and how a health-focused and compassionate approach to illicit drug use is both needed and possible.
The conversation reiterated the need to reduce harmful stereotypes and stigma surrounding illicit drug use, improve access to support, and ensure our responses promote safety and inclusion for individuals, families and communities.
“Shifting the issue from being one of an individual’s failure to acknowledging that this is a broad social issue.”
“It’s a health condition and we need our health services to respond to people in real time to ensure that they can get the help when they want to,” said VAADA CEO, Chris Christoforou.
“Every drug addict has a past and every drug addict has a future,” said Journalist, Luke Williams.
“To actually reach out and acknowledge that you need support is a big deal, and to disclose to somebody like a professional that you have an addiction is an even bigger deal.
“Just getting support is so crucial for somebody with an addiction problem,” said Uniting Partner Consumer, Iliana Richards.
Learn more about Iliana’s story.
“Stories tell us the importance of care, compassion and hope for any one of us when the wheels fall off in our life,” said Uniting Board Chair Reverand Alistair Macrae.
Over the coming months, we invite the community to participate in the conversation by sharing stories like Iliana’s and including the hashtag #FromJudgmentToCompassion.
Learn more about Uniting’s harm reduction and advocacy initiatives, please visit our website or contact [email protected].
