The comments below have been transcribed from the Sydney MSIC’s ‘Client Comments Book’ which provides clients using the service with an informal way to provide feedback to the centre staff. All names have been changed to maintain client confidentiality.

I would like to thank you for all your help. The day that I felt like killing myself you took time out of your busy schedule and sat me down and both talked and listened to me. I have never had anyone in my life that has done what you did for me. From that day on my life has changed for the better. I am doing a reading and writing course at TAFE and look at life very differently now. To me saying thanks is not enough as you saved my life. Thank you – it has been 21 weeks since I used heroin.

Dean

Thank you for the counselling service that I am able to access.

Gwen

You have helped keep me alive, specifically saving me from overdosing on a few occasions, till I reached the point where I feel I’m ready to make the positive changes to my life that I want and need to make.

Shaun

I am writing this letter just to let you know what you did for me. About four years ago you took the time to help me get off heroin and took me to Church to confess something which turned my life around. As you know I had no support most of my life until you stepped in. Now four years later I have my family back (mother, uncle, two brothers). I feel that I owe you my life and I am so grateful and thankful for what you’ve done for me. The only reason I have not been back is because I have set boundaries and stayed away from Darlinghurst Road and have not associated with the people I was running around with. I can read and write now and do other normal things like go shopping and have lunch with my family, which I didn’t or couldn’t before.

So thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do make a difference.

Paul

Thank you staff, you all do a good job. Also I have learnt a lot about hep C and other drug related issues. The pamphlets are very good. Thanking you very much.

Sam

Thank you for your referral to Clinic 36. That day I was strung out and looking for an escape from hell.

Mike

God bless you for creating less overdoses due to all the attention the staff focus on us and for having on hand all the rehab, detox and self help connections, so you can guide the people looking for help in the right direction.

Jade

We all try hard to keep our heads above water and we all try hard to stay clean. At least with an institution like this one we can keep our dignity and ourselves intact – it is a safer envirionment for us than on the streets. Thank god for some people!

Sally

The way that clients were helped with no sense of condescension, safe, friendly and other services and information available – this is a benchmark of civilised society, cheers.

John

To all the staff here I can only say the biggest thanks for being there for me when I overdosed. I know if you were not here I wouldn’t have made it. My three kids would have lost their mum. I just need to let you know that I am so grateful for all you do – thank you once again.

Nina

Nursed for three hours back to life by the nurses from the injecting centre – thank you and for calling the woman’s centre to get me a bed for the night.

Ferne

I’m on methadone now and I’m not going back to the streets anymore. I’m looking forward to looking for a place to live and starting TAFE soon – I’m changing a lot at the moment!

Kaylee

Thank you to Zhane and the rest of the staff who put their time and effort into helping me straighten out my bullshit life. Without all of your support and honesty I’d still be using drugs.

Sharon

Thanks for caring enough to be here when and where we need you. The unconditional attention you guys give us is really appreciated. Without the support of this place, a lot of users would not still be around to take advantage of this wonderful service.

Keep it up!

Sue

It is so refreshing not having to worry about overdosing and no one knowing. The people that run the centre are professional in their job and always seem to show a genuine concern for our welfare and dignity and not just treat us like junkies. I, and I’m sure everyone else, appreciates that fact. Keep up the good work, I have the utmost respect for all the staff.

Wayne

Just letting you know about how my recovery from drug addiction is going. I don’t recall the last time I spoke with you but I feel the need to make contact to let you know I’m doing great. Plus without you during those hard times I could not imagine where I otherwise could be today. Thank you.

Finally I’ve settled in WA. I’m currently living with my mate David and a kitten named Zim. Today we are both happy and each day learning to respect each other’s space more and more. Last weekend we worked on the shed outside to convert it into a workshop for David’s metal work. The weekend before we applied our homemade compost to the garden, the herbs will love the compost.

No it hasn’t been rosy all this time, but this is to be expected when kicking an evil drug like heroin. All the same though, I’m currently taking methadone. It has taken me nearly five years to reach this stage of my addiction RECOVERY. Yet, this journey is far from over, I’m intending to transfer to the Bupe program as soon as I feel strong enough to withstand those dreadful pains and cravings. However, I will kick on with the methadone until the end of the year. So long as I’m not thinking of heroin or taking the shit, life is very good to me. I’d like to keep going this way, life is fruitful, and we eat fruit because it’ sweet. This is how I could best describe my purpose in life.

Susanna

Clients’ Comments From MSIC Client Satisfaction Surveys

The Centre has put a stable routine in my out of control life.

Once I overdosed and if I was anywhere else, I would not still be here.

Staff are extremely professional and take great care, and give the proper care that overdosed patients need. The aftercare is exceptionally good – a lot of lives have been saved here at the MSIC.

After spending five and a half years as an Ambulance Officer, I’m impressed with the way staff handle medical emergencies.

Without this facility, I’m sure my overdose would have killed me as I wouldn’t have had access to first aid.

It’s a great service provided to help both users and non-users by keeping injecting equipment and people overdosing off the streets.

The staff and the centre have been fantastic to me and helped me through some really bad times.

Without this place I would be dead. Simply, the MSIC saves lives.

A totally indispensable service that has cleaned the Cross up, reduced street crime and the general sanitation of the neighbourhood streets.

Brilliant service which needs to be kept open – it’s safer for everyone – user and non-user.

I think they are great people and have saved me and my friends lives. I have the highest regard for all the staff who have saved my life and helped me in every way that they can.

Other clinics treat their clients as victims. The MSIC encourages self respect.

Safe clean and private. First aid is close along with good advice and other things. It’s a brilliant service.

The MSIC treats addicts as human beings that matter. We have a voice – MSIC saves lives.

For your comments please write to Tracey Brown: traceyb@sydneymsic.com

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