Peer Based Harm Reduction WA

23/04/2026

We all know that sharing needles and syringes can expose us to blood-borne viruses like hep C - but it’s not just needles and syringes. Don’t share a bloody thing!

Hep C is spread when the blood of someone who has it enters the bloodstream of another person. Blood can be present in microscopic amounts that are too small to see. Spoons, baggies, tourniquets, filters, and water sources for injecting can all put people at risk if they are shared. So, the next time you access PBHR WA or any other needle and syringe program, stock up and grab a few more supplies than you think you’ll need to help you avoid running out.

If you have used needles and syringes, you can bring them back to PBHR WA and dispose of them in one of our safe disposal bins. We’ll exchange them for new ones free of charge on a one-for-one basis. If you don’t have any used equipment to exchange, you can purchase it at cost price. If you don’t have any money, we’ll never send you away empty-handed. We’ll do our best to give you enough free equipment to keep you safe until we see you again.

See you at Suite 22, 7 Aberdeen St Perth:

Monday to Friday - 10am to 5pm
Saturday and Sunday - 1pm to 4pm
Closed on public holidays.

Or, we’ll see you at 97 Spencer St in Bunbury (entrance on Rose St):

Monday to Friday - 10am to 3pm
Closed on public holidays.

Find out about our Outreach (delivery to the home) and State-wide Postal needle and syringe program services here:

https://harmreductionwa.org/new-nsep/

18/04/2026

Why is loving your liver so important on World Liver Day?

Your liver is more than just a filter. It is responsible for cleaning your blood, breaking down nutrients to fuel your body, and keeping your entire system in sync.

Hep C can damage your liver and affect your quality of life. Taking charge of your liver health with hep C testing (and treatment if you need it) isn’t just a medical choice - it’s a way to manage your own wellbeing on your own terms.

PBHR WA believes that all people have the right to health and we are here to support you with hep C care that is judgment-free and tailored to your circumstances.

You can find out more about our Health Clinics and how to access them here:

https://harmreductionwa.org/health-clinics/

17/04/2026

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.

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.