Alcohol and Other Drugs

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

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

National support services

  • National 24/7 Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline: 1800 250 015

Other 24/7 support services

For young people

Other resources