Melbourne-based not-for-profit organisation Youth Projects takes a grassroots approach to tackling HIV/AIDs as campaigners across the world unite for World AIDs Day 2011, the global awareness day that aims to encourage local action to reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDs.
The team behind Youth Projects' unique program, Foot Patrol, hits the city streets 365 days a year to provide clean injecting equipment, collect used syringes, distribute free condoms and give real advice to thousands of disadvantaged Melburnians in its daily fight against the local spread of HIV/AIDs.
In the last year alone, the Foot Patrol team have distributed over 140,000 clean needles, collected more than 4,500 used ones from the streets and asisted over 20,000 individuals by providing basic education and actively referring clients to support services and free testing.
Melbourne's CBD isn't the only beneficiary of effective, targeted needle syringe programs such as Foot Patrol, as Youth Projects operates mobile outreach services in the Inner West and North West Melbourne.
Youth Projects Chairperson Melanie Raymond says that the Victorian government's support of programs like the Foot Patrol is crucial to Australia's fight against HIV/AIDs and that the spend ultimately results in greater savings in the Victorian healthcare sector.
For example, the $71 million spent in Victoria on the needle syringe program between 2000 and 2009 resulted in a saving of $224 millian in healthcare costs; a net financial saving of $153 million. For every dollar that is spent on the needle syringe program, more than four dollars is returned through the prevention of an estimated 32,050 HIV and 96,667 Hepatitis C virus infections.
Youth Projects is the winner of the 2010 Melbourne Award for Contribution to Community. Last year it also received a high commendation in the Victorian Australian Safer Community Awards.
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