The organization of a community: community-based prevention of injecting drug use-related health problems.

In the 1980s, injection drug users in Australia mobilized and organized as communities to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and other injecting-related harms. This article provides a brief history of the development and role of IDU communities in the prevention of drug use-related harms over the past 20 years and introduces the genesis of a new program that aims to improve peer-based, community-organized prevention and harm reduction initiatives. The project's limitations are noted and future needed research is suggested.