Alcohol and Other Drugs
Murray PHN is working to improve the integration and coordination of alcohol and other drug (AOD) services across our region. Our focus is to improve workforce development for primary health workers, through education around screening, harm reduction and brief interventions related to risky licit and illicit drug use. In addition, the workforce needs support with providing meaningful responses to people with co-occurring AOD and mental health concerns, addressing stigmatisation, cultural differences and gaining consumer participation.
In our region we know that:
- The percentage of daily smokers was 20.6% in the 2014-15 period, which is higher than the national average of 14.5% (AIHW, 2017).
- Consumption of alcohol recorded in 2014 at levels leading to harm over the lifetime was 6.5% greater than the state average of 59.2 per 1000 persons (VPHS, 2014).
- Emergency department presentations for co-occurring AOD and mental health disorders are higher than the Victorian average.
Data
- PHN Exchange: Alcohol and other drugs by Murray PHN Local Government Areas
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia 2016-17: key findings report
- Turning Point and Ambulance Victoria: Ambo-AODstats
- Australia Bureau of Statistics: 4808.0 - Illicit Drug Use, Sources of Australian Data, 2001
- Australia Bureau of Statistics: Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas 2011
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Exploring drug treatment and homelessness in Australia 2011-2014
Resources for both health professionals and individuals
- Murray PHN has partnered with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation to create a suite of resources for the community and health professionals to use about the effects of the drug methamphetamine (ice) - click here to access the resources.
Resources for health professionals
- Murray PHN program guidelines including AOD program-specific information
- Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol
- GP Clinical Advisory Service: a peer-to-peer advice service for GPs to help them support patients with prescription medication concerns and complex needs. GP Clinical Advisors have received comprehensive training in the management of pain, anxiety, insomnia and associated addiction issues. Call 1800 812 804 (DACAS Victoria) or email gpclinicaladvisors@turningpoint.org.au
- Orientation into the AOD Sector: Information and resources for new and existing workers
- VAADA: Capacity Building and Change Management - a guide for Community Services
- Department of Health: guidelines on the management of co-occuring alcohol and other drug and mental health conditions in alcohol and other drug treatment settings (second edition, 2016)
- Mindframe for Alcohol and Other Drugs is a strategy to support the media and other stakeholders to communicate safely, respectfully and responsibly about alcohol and other drugs - to reduce stigma and increase help-seeking behaviour.
Resources for individuals
- Department of Health and Human Services: Victorian AOD Client Charter brochure (2011)
- Department of Health and Human Services: How alcohol and other drug treatment services work - and where to go for help
- Department of Health and Human Services: Not happy with an alcohol and other drug treatment service? Make a complaint - get support
- Department of Health and Human Services: (Poster) Need help with an alcohol and other drug problem?
National support services
- National 24/7 Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline: 1800 250 015
Other 24/7 support services
- Counselling Online
- Family Drug Support: 1300 368 186
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 79
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
For young people
Other resources