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 hope this service is continued – it is so important to keep people clean and alive until the day they feel they can attack their problems. Too many people die in the gutter. Keep up the good work guys. It’s good to see that people do care about us – the supposed 'dregs of society'. We are real people too – with mothers and fathers and people that love us. Your lack of judgement is also appreciated. Thanks guys”
Martina

“Thanks guys – I really appreciate this (long overdue – about bloody time someone did something sensible like this) facility. But even more than the facilities, the important thing for me is the way the staff treat clients with respect and friendliness, along with their professional courtesy. Thank you for that.”
Liza 05/07/01

“Thank you Rohan for the information on Buprenorphine dosing. I’m going to talk to my doctor about transferring - it’s very handy to know I can get dosed after hours. Thanks again.”
Kevin 19/12/01

“Since MSIC has opened it has stopped not only myself, but numerous friends from shooting up in people’s front gardens, lane ways etc. If more places like this were open the reduction in drug-related deaths and local residential complaints would decrease dramatically as would the spread of HIV, hep A, B, and C etc.

To sum it up – harm minimisation, clean using equipment, safe injecting place (with no-one to offend) registered nurses to treat overdoses, and because of the fact they are immediately available can only be of a huge help and decrease the rate of deaths from overdoses, and also the staff advise you when you are mixing drugs.”
Dean 19/07/01

“Just writing to thank-you all very much for being supportive of me (getting onto the methadone program). You all do such a wonderful job. Your referral to Kirketon Road Centre was so important and useful to me. I use the centre for methadone and also they are helping me get on to Social Security and Department of Housing. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you.”
Gina

“Poem”
Yes! Thee injecting room What can I say?
That’s right! 'Too cool', 'Too right'!
Keeping Kings Cross drug users a safer place to shoot is heaps better than on the streets,
And alone somewhere dark and deep fears drug users,
That’s how they kill themselves in their sleep,
Not realising they’ve shot up heaps and have fallen into that deep sleep
So I say 'Thank you' heaps to all the staff in this place,
They call 'Stay alive for keeps' Peace”
Cristy

“I was very sceptical on coming here today because I was embarrassed but I couldn’t find a public toilet, so I came in to MSIC and felt very relaxed and welcomed. MSIC is great! I will definitely call in again.
When you are a drug user, it’s often a lonely lifestyle. No one sets out to be an intravenous user, you sometimes feel alienated, dirty and alone, so when I discovered MSIC I felt safe, safe to know there was help if I needed it. I wanted to know there was other people out there just like me, I’m not alone. MSIC is great it saves lives and helps people, there should be more places like it. I’m very impressed.”
Adam 8/11/01

“You can’t stop people using drugs, so the injecting centre is a very positive thing. I am very grateful that it is set up to stop people from having an overdose. Keep up the good work, as it is also great to have some one to talk to with a positive influence.”
Dan 21/12/01

“To Jink, Adam and all the staff here, thank you for being so kind, caring and compassionate. You always have a smile and something positive to say. You treat us as equals and not as scum. Thank you for being here.”
Jean 01/01/02

“Love to all you staff here in our first ever injecting centre.You guys are great and doing a wonderful job of it. Also I hope that from this centre many more shall be born all over the world for users to have a safe place and so that the public can rest easier and learn about our disease. Together we can grow stronger - more knowledge, more access to the things we need, doctors, social workers, counsellors and referral services.
Thank you.”
Sharlene 10/05/02

“To Skye, Adam, Peter and well, all of you - I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for such an incredible job. You are always there for me through assaults, robbery, a violent defacto and problems with my kids (both legal and in other ways). You are there to listen, support and help where possible, all of which you do incredibly well. I just want to say a very big thank you, you are very much appreciated.”
Katie 17/04/02

“Dear staff, to me you have been such a god-send. Our sanctuary, smiling faces, polite conversation and always helpful. You have made us feel like citizens rather than scummy junkies and you have given us a safe and clean place, instead of sneaking around the alleyways in unclean surroundings. Bless you all.”
Karen 12/04/02

“I feel blessed that a facility of this nature is available. It is clean, light and practical – to top things off the staff are wonderful, friendly and always assist. I appreciate being able to come here because I feel safe and I know if I drop, someone can help.”
Rod 15/04/02

“Zhane, I just wanted to drop a line to let you know I am on the Buprenorphine. They started me the day of my appointment with the doctor. Just want to say, thanks a million for your help.”
Dannie 02/09/02

“This is a short notice of thanks to all the staff at the injecting centre. The time has come for me to take a more responsible hand in my life. The help that the staff has given me through talks and being supportive has been instrumental in my being able to cope with my addiction over the last year. I totally support the centre and wholeheartedly offer my thanks to one and all.”
George 20/05/02

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

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