edition
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-DEC 2012
TAKE the
survey
AND YOU COULD
win $50
The sword
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g e T P iERc e D
safely
Don't trust your mates to get you pierced, go to a professional. When you're getting a piercing, it's really important to think about your risk of blood-to-blood contact Blood-to-blood contact is when the blood of one person gets into the bloodstream of someone else. When there is blood-to-blood contact, there is a very real risk of getting a blood-bornevirus, like HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
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registered professionals If you go to a registered professional piercer, they should make sure there is a very low risk of blood-to-blood contact A piercer who isn't registered might not know the best way to sterilise their equipment and to keep you safe. They might not even care. If somewhere is registered, they should have a certificate from the local Council displayed somewhere in their shop or studio.
Prison and Backyard piercing Getting piercings in prison comes with a really high risk of blood-toblood contact. There is a much higher rate of hep C and other blood-borne-viruses in prison and less sterile equipment to use. If you're thinking about getting a piercing in prison, contact the Prisons Hepatitis Helpline for more info (free call if you dial #3 on the Common Calls List). Backyard piercing can be a high risk for blood-to-blood contact because you can't be sure the equipment used for piercing will be properly sterilised.
You are best off going to a registered professional for any piercings you get - they use special equipment to properly sterilise all the instruments they use for piercing. But, if you are going to pierce yourself or others, always use fresh equipment.
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the ence differ spot 10 differences between pictures a and b
picture a
picture b 12
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the sword - part 2
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A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER I'M SORRY TO SAY DANNI, BUT YOU'VE TESTED PCR* POSITIVE FOR HEP C.
WELL, HEP C IS A BLOOD BORNE VIRUS. MEANING IT GETS TRANSMITTED VIA BLOOD-TO-BLOOD CONTACT. USUALLY THIS MEANS SHARING A NEEDLE OR--
OH, DANNI. I DON’T DO DRUGS!
WHAT? HOW?
I DIDN’T SAY YOU DID. I THINK IT’S A VERY REAL POSSIBILITY THAT THE ITEM USED TO PIERCE YOUR BELLY BUTTON MAY HAVE HAD THE VIRUS ON IT.
BUT EVERYONE IN THE BBBFF’S HAVE USED THAT!
ARE YOU SAYING THEY COULD ALL HAVE THIS THING TOO?
YES IT’S POSSIBLE THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE CONTRACTED THE VIRUS IF YOU ALL WERE USING THE SAME NEEDLE.
GET RID OF IT! JUST GIVE ME TRIPLE STRENGTH MEDICATION. WHATEVER IT TAKES. JUST GET RID OF IT!
THE ANTIBODIES IN YOUR BLOOD MEANS THAT YOU’VE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS, SO IT’S NOW A MATTER OF WAIT AND SEE IF THE INFECTION WILL DEVELOP INTO HEPATITIS C.
BUT WE USED A LIGHTER TO HEAT IT UP. IT SHOULDN’T HAVE-I’M AFRAID SIMPLY HEATING THE EQUIPMENT DOESN’T WORK.
IN FACT, YOU REALLY CAN’T SAFELY STERILISE EQUIPMENT IN A HOME ENVIRONMENT.
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THE GOOD NEWS IS THERE’S A 25% CHANCE YOUR BODY WILL CLEAR THE VIRUS ON ITS OWN.
TREATMENT DOES EXIST, BUT THAT’S A LONG WAY DOWN THE TRACK FOR YOU.
a pcr DETECTION TEST WILL TELL YOU IF YOU HAVE a current infection with THE HEP C VIRUS to find out more about pcr TESTING AND hep c, CALL THE HEPATITIS HELPLINE 1800 803 990
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your mob my mob our mob Wellington Skate Park, Riverina Juvenile Justi ce in Wagga Wagga, and Acmena Juvenile Justice in Graft on.
look out for us on facebook Check out these awesome local graffiti proje cts, teaching young Aboriginal people about hep C, so they can teach others in their community. For more info contact: Lisa Camillo on lcamillo@ahmrc.org.au LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! www.facebook.com/yourmobmymobourmob Project by the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) in partnership with Hepatitis NSW
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Acmena Juvenile Justice Grafton
tice
ile Jus Juven a in r e Riv ga a Wag Wagg
Skate P Wellin ark gton
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s i t i t a p he e n i l p l he L CONFIDENTIA
1800 803 803 990 1800 990 WWW.HEP.ORG.AU
free call from landlines
WWW.HEP.ORG.AU Untitled-1 1
vietnamese
若想獲取免費且保密的
Để nhận thông tin và sự hỗ trợ hoàn tòan miễn phí và bảo mật, xin gọi đường dây thông dịch số 131450 và yêu cầu gọi đường dây trợ giúp bệnh Viêm Gan.
傳譯服務 (131450) 轉接肝炎熱線。 arabic
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chinese
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n o i t s que r e w s & an Q “
with the
Does heating a piercing needle with a lighter sterilise it?
(Malika, 19 from Dubbo)
A “
”
No - heating something with a lighter will not sterilise it.
”
If something has got blood on it, flame from a lighter won't be enough to properly sterilise it.
You are best off going to a professional for any piercings - they use special equipment to properly sterilise all the instruments they use for piercing. But, if you are going to pierce yourself or others, always use new equipment that has not be used before.
send your questions to us ON sms: 0404 440 103 ph: 1800 803 990 e: transmission@hep.org.au
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If your question is urgent call
HEPATITIS HELPLINE
1800 803 990
INFO, SUPPORT, REFERRALS
Call 131450 to organise an interpreter service You also can now chat to us live at hep.org.au
AIVL’s new online
NSP Directory & Legal Guide
The national NSP Directory is a list of needle & syringe programs across Australia. Where possible the service directory provides a contact number, address, hours of operations & types of equipment supplied. A link with Google maps will direct users to services. The Legal Guide is a state & territory reference resource of NSP & drug related laws relevant to people who use drugs. It provides information on legal issues such as; possession of needles & syringes & other paraphernalia, disposing of used equipment, rights relating to police questioning, illicit drugs & sex work.
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1800 803 990 TALK WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN THROUGH HEP C TREATMENT
Call us to arrange a free and confidential call from someone who has been through hep C treatment
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the survey HOW TO GO IN THE DRAW TO WIN $50 go to OR
e fill outNtDhYOU surveyDAWIN A COUL CHER $50 VOU
its easy!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BVL8NWV
and fill out the survey online BY 18 JANUARY 2013
1 FILL OUT THE SURVEY ON THE BACK OF THIS PAGE 2 CUT THIS PAGE OUT OF THE MAGAZINE 3 FOLD IN HALF ALONG THE BLACK DOTTED LINE BELOW, SO THAT THE ADDRESS IS ON THE OUTSIDE 4 STICK THE 2 SIDES CLOSED WITH STICKY TAPE or staples (ALONG THE yELLOW EDGES ABOVE AND BELOW) 5 PUT IT IN THE POST to us by 28 february 2013 (NO NEED TO BUY A STAMP, ITS free to send) NB: just one entry per person
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the survey QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE
OUT fill THISYOU AND IN A COULD WCHER $50 VOU
1. After reading this Transmission Magazine, I feel I know more about hep C.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither
Disagree
Strongly disagree
2. After reading this Transmission Magazine,
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither
Disagree
I feel I am better able to look after my health
Strongly disagree
3. After reading this Transmission Magazine, I feel I can make changes in my life
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither
Disagree
Strongly disagree
4. After reading this Transmission Magazine, I feel more connected to my doctors and nurses, etc.
5. Overall, I am satisfied with this edition of Transmission Magazine
6. How do you think we could make this magazine better?
QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU 7. How old are you? 8. Are you:
male
12. Are you: (tick as many as you like) A person with hep C
female
trans/inter
9. What is your current postcode (or prison)?
A person cured of hep C Partner/relative/friend of person with hep C Person with hep B Current prisoner
10. Do you speak another language?
Ex-prisoner GP/Health worker
No, only English
Community/youth worker
Yes, the other language I speak is:
11. Do you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?
Yes
Person who currently injects drugs Person who no longer injects drugs
No
Worker in NSP sector Worker in AOD or OST sectors Other (please say)
13. If you would like to go in the $50 voucher draw, please give us your (optional): Phone number: or email address or MIN :
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Name:
Hepatitis NSW respects and upholds your right to privacy protection. In accordance with National Privacy Principles, we have a detailed policy and set of procedures regulating how we collect, use, disclose and hold your personal information. For a copy of the policy, please contact us on 02 9332 1853 or visit our website: www.hep.org.au
its easy!
special thanks This edition of Transmission Magazine was developed with the help of ILBIJERRI Theatre Company. The comic BODY ARMOUR was based on the theatre production. Writer Kamarra Bell Wykes Dramaturg John Romerill Director Margaret Harvey ILBIJERRI (pronounced: il BIDGE er ree) is a Woiwurrung word that means ‘coming together for ceremony’.
EDITOR/DESIGNER Rhea Shortus EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Sione Crawford Sonam Paljor Peter Middleton Jenny Douglas Andrew Smith Paul Harvey Bruce Cherry Tim Baxter Lisa Camillo Michelle Enhelidis COMIC WRITER Tom Taylor www.tomtaylormade.com COMIC ARTIST Emily Smith www.gestaltcomics.com
ILBIJERRI Theatre Company exists to tell indigenous stories with passion, integrity and humour. ILBIJERRI is the longest running Indigenous Theatre Company in Australia and the only one in Victoria.
Hepatitis Helpline 1800 803 990 Aside from Hepatitis NSW editorial CONTENT, views expressed in this magazine or flyers enclosed with it, are not necessarily those of Hepatitis NSW. Neither are such views necessarily those of our funding bodies. Transmission magazine does not promote nor condone the use of illicit drugs. rather, it seeks to provide accurate information that will help people who already inject drugs to reduce risks and make safer choices. Nothing in this magazine should be taken as recommending drug use.
If you are a youth or health worker and would like to know more about how your clients can contribute to the development of Transmission Magazine: call the Hepatitis Helpline 1800 803 990 or email pharvey@hep.org.au
Hepatitis NSW p: 02 9332 1853 f: 02 9332 1730 PO Box 432 Darlinghurst, NSW 1300 info@hep.org.au Level 1, 414 Elizabeth Street Surry Hills Sydney 2010 www.hep.org.au Hepatitis NSW is proud to acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional owners and custodians of our lands and waters. ABN 30 408 095 245 A non-profit health promotion charity funded by the NSW Ministry of Health. Accredited by the Quality Improvement Council of Australia (QIC). Donations of $2 and over tax deductible
ns of Looking for old editio E? ZIN GA Transmission MA All past editions are
online AT:
ionmagazine www.hep.org.au/transmiss
PH:1800 803 990 TRANSMISSION@HEP.ORG.AU
www.facebook.com/HepatitisNSW