Penington Institute

Its easy to judge people who use drugs. But, legal or illegal, the misuse of any psychoactive substance impacts us all. At Penington Institute, we think its far more productive to prevent and tackle drug use in a safe, effective and practical way. Risky behaviours are part of being human. Our focus is on making individuals and families safer and healthier, helping communities, frontline services and governments reduce harm, respect human rights and improve the rule of law. Founded by needle exchange workers and people with lived experience of drug use in 1995 as a peak body, The Association of Needle Exchanges (ANEX) grew into Penington Institute, named in honour of the late Emeritus Professor David Penington AC, who led Australias early and world-leading approach to HIV/AIDS. Like Professor Penington did with courage, we confront the most important issues and champion innovative evidence-based action to improve peoples lives no matter how challenging our perspective mig...