Time for Change Survey and Report

3 Acknowledgements Acknowledgement of Country We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the First Nations. This project has been largely completed on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri Peoples of the Kulin Nation, the Wallumattagal Peoples and Gadigal Peoples of the Eora Nation, and the GuriNgai Peoples of the Darug Nation. We pay respect to their elders past and present. We ask that readers reflect on what it means to profit from living and working on these lands, which were taken through processes of colonisation that have been resisted for over 200 years. Australia’s colonial drug laws continue to disproportionately impact First Nations peoples, and we believe that drug policy reform can uplift and begin to heal marginalised communities. Acknowledgment of Lived and Living Experience We would like to acknowledge that each individual has their own unique experiences, including those related to past and present drug use, as well as the experiences of family members, friends, and others who choose to remain involved and advocate for someone they care about. These perspectives bring valuable knowledge and insight that are essential in shaping services and supports that are both safe and responsive to the needs of our communities. We strive to honour these viewpoints in this report and throughout our continued efforts. Statement of Rights Our organisations embrace all people, regardless of their origin, cultural, drug using status, religious background, gender, and sexual orientation. We believe that everyone has the right to feel safe, respected, and valued as part of the community in which they live. We are committed to upholding human rights, and respect and value the dignity of all people. Acknowledgement of Participation and Support We would like to thank everyone who shared their perspectives in these surveys. Your participation has and will continue to inform each organisations advocacy and service delivery, to ensure that our work is always guided by the expertise and experience of our respective communities. We are also grateful to those who assisted with survey design and revisions. We also acknowledge the long-standing support we have received and continue to receive from Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments, philanthropic organisations, people who drugs, families, and individuals across Australia.