This report explains why it is important to increase meaningful involvement of people who use drugs in creating a response to HIV and hepatitis C.

The report summarizes the main issues addressed in the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network’s paper on greater involvement of people who use illegal drugs. In particular, it explains why people who use illegal drugs must be meaningfully involved in Canada’s response to HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C (HCV), and injection drug use, and the benefits of greater involvement. The booklet also contains a manifesto written by people who use drugs, and describes the achievements of two organizations of people who use drugs, the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users and the Thai Drug Users’ Network.