Support and Collaborative Planning:
A Dynamic Subculture

 

The forum postings below are a selection from a role-play simulation called Needle Stick. It dealt with the the operation of a Needle Exchange Program (NEP) in close proximity to a school in a provincial city in Australia.

There was also support and collaborative planning in this role-play, not just difficult challenges. The most developed subgroup in the community met in a conference forum called Off the Record in Street Talk, which became a lively meeting place almost belying that it was virtual!

The small section below of the very long Street Talk transcript makes extremely interesting reading for how a virtual community developed pretty much organically as the participants created the dynamic of people dropping in and catching up with others. The actual reality of roles being separated by time and place did not manifest itself in the conversations. They developed as if the roles were actually present in real time; spontaneous and temporal in their awareness of the physicality of people coming and going, discussing, eating and calling others over to share a wine or a pizza.

 

 

Subject: Pizza?
Date: 8/26/02 7:20:02 PM
By: Sergei Polotov
:
[ musing , mumbling , ambling......god, it feels like so long since I've come down the street...got to remember to get out of the house more...get a life beyond school and kids clubs......now ....I know what I want ...Pizza ...from where else but Galore Pizza, Mm Mmmm.... now wouldnt it be nice if someone came in to join me...sometimes I still feel as though Im a new comer with a weird name.]

Subject: How ya going mate...
Date: 8/26/02 9:00:50 PM
By: Mark Simpson
:
Sergio eating alone?.......mind if I join you?.......thanks..... Hey we're looking for a fill-in this week for our Tretley Tenpinners.......yeah we are on a winning streak. Could you help us out?......Think about it and let me know by Tues pm.
There seems to be a lot of upset folks around at the moment..
what do you think about this petition thing?

Subject: all the better....
Date: 8/27/02 4:05:01 PM
By: Sergei Polotov
:
Hi Simmo, great timing the Pizza is about to arrive.....now let me guess...hmmm...vegetarian supreme?
yep the petition....frankly I'm worried things will get out of hand, and the needle exchange will be closed down in a fit short term thinking....this is a big issue for me, as you know.
We've got to get some of the facts, the research out into the community. As you know Simmo, needle exchanges in fact reduce crime and improve the health of the whole community, through the reduction in HepC and HIV.
I know you know all that....but here's what im thinking ...what about enlarging the capacity of the needle exchange to include supervised needle use, an injecting room? Now I know its controversial, but it directly addresses the issue of syringes being disposed of in the park.
What do you think?
...actually I see Kristine over there...perhaps she'll come and join us...

hey Kristine!

Subject: Vegetarian Pizza
Date: 8/27/02 5:03:37 PM
By: Kristine Robertson
:
Hi Sergei, Hi Simmo! where have you been hiding Segei!! You know I'd do anything for Veggie Pizza!! Having the new comer blues are you - well join the club!!

As for the supervised injecting rooms, I'm for it; you know how strongly I feel about their effectiveness in reducing the rates of HIV and Hep C. It is going to take quite a bit of canvassing to get the supervised rooms. Samantha'll have fits!!!! may leave town!! Seriously first we need a toilet put up in the park - it is disgraceful not to have one and if it was equipped with a sharps disposal bin I am confident we'll cut down drastically on syringes lying around!!

Subject: disposals
Date: 8/27/02 10:28:01 PM
By: Mark Simpson
:
Well I just wish Council will hurry up and put them into the toilets. I understand that it was passed at the last Council meeting.

As for injecting rooms.....well it is still illegal here so you'll have to pressure old Brookesy to introduce a bill! Like to see her face when you approach her!....
Where's that pizza.....

Subject: Incorrigible
Date: 8/28/02 8:16:01 PM
By: Cheryl Brookes
:
Simmo,
Going to Canberra tomorrow to discuss a few of the issues you have raised - but I am not a one woman party you know. Cheryl

Subject: have another slice ...
Date: 8/28/02 4:09:26 PM
By: Sergei Polotov
:
Wow, 2 dinner guests, ive struck it big tonight :)

yes I think your idea of priorities is good, though i have another to add...
1. toilets and syringe disposal constructed asap
2. develop a design that revitalises that area if the park with the old railway line, to include the toilets, (it will be better if its all thought of in one design) ...maybe a bike track...?
3. work towards including a supervised using room with the needle exchange program

yum...all this talk is getting me thirst...care for a large red with that pizza Kristine?

Simmo?

wait on.....who's that across the street...

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