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Community alcohol & drug treatment services: H-L
Page content: Home-based withdrawal service | Homelessness & drug dependency trial program | Koori community alcohol & drug resource services | Koori community alcohol & drug workers | Koori youth alcohol and drug healing serviceHome-based withdrawal service
Adult
Home-based withdrawal services are provided in cases where the withdrawal syndrome is of mild to moderate severity and the client is able to be supported by a family member or friend at home. This service may be provided as part of the Rural Withdrawal Support Service either in conjunction with a brief hospital stay or as a complete treatment. The service is provided by an experienced nurse in conjunction with a medical practitioner.
Target group
People requiring withdrawal where the withdrawal syndrome is of mild to moderate severity and not complicated by illness or significant psychosocial problems, and where a support person is available and in the immediate vicinity during withdrawal.
Youth
Youth home-based withdrawal is the provision of a safe and effective drug withdrawal in the young person's home, with medical, pharmacotherapy and supportive care. It aims to provide support for both the young person undergoing withdrawal and their carer/family members, develop linkages with a range of service systems which impact on a person's life.
Target group
Young people up to the age of 21 years requiring withdrawal where the withdrawal syndrome is of not complicated by illness or significant psychosocial problems, and where a support person is available and in the immediate vicinity during withdrawal.
Homelessness & Drug Dependency Trial program (HDDT)
The HDDT is a joint initiative of the three crisis supported accommodation services (CSAS) in inner Melbourne (Hanover Welfare Services, the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul) and the Drugs Policy and Services Branch and SAAP Housing Branch of the Department of Human Services.
HDDT focuses on addressing the alcohol and drug-related needs of homeless people who seek assistance at the three CSAS. The initiative provides intensive case management support to up to 100 people at any one time for periods of between three and 12 months.
Koori Community Alcohol (KCA) and Drug Resource Services (DRS)
The KCA and DRS provides an alternative to incarceration for Koori people who are found to be alcohol and drug affected in public. It provides short-term accommodation of an average of 48 hours in a safe non-threatening environment which is focussed on meeting the needs of the individual and the continuity of care through appropriate referral processes.
Target group
Koori people who are alcohol and drug affected. The service is not appropriate for people with serious medical problems, with unstable psychiatric conditions, or who are violent. Young people (people under 16 years of age) can access the service, however, it is recognised that it may be more appropriate in some instances for the KCA & DRS to refer a young person elsewhere.
Koori community alcohol & drug workers
The Koori community alcohol and drug workers undertake a number of program development activities based on a harm minimisation approach, including
- health promotion
- information provision
- education activities
- development and maintenance of community linkages
- referrals
- counselling interventions
- the provision of advice to generalist services
- liaising with relevant programs and
- fulfilling an advocacy role on behalf of the service user.
Target group
Koori people and their 'significant others' who are affected (either directly or indirectly) by alcohol and/or other drug use or who are at risk of being affected by alcohol and/or other drugs. A particular focus is placed on reducing the uptake of alcohol and other drugs by young people
Koori Youth Alcohol and Drug Healing Service
The Mental Health Drugs and Regions Division of the Department is currently managing the construction of a permanent Koori Youth Alcohol and Drug Healing Service.
This service will be a statewide rehabilitation service designed to help younf Koori people between aged 15 to 20 recover from substance abuse issues and reintegrate with the community, within the context of a culturally appropriate healing model.
In the interim a 6 bed statewide residential Koori youth alcohol and drug service is operating in Bittern on the Mornington Peninsula. The service is managed in a partnership of Ngwala Willumbong and the Youth Substance Abuse Service (YSAS).
- This residential service is available to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Young people across Victoria between the ages of 15 and 20 seeking assistance with their alcohol and other drug use.
The service model consists of:
- An assessment/intake phase
- A residential phase involving educational, health, vocational and healing programs
- An aftercare/exit phase where the young person is reconnected to positive experiences, activities, mentors, lifestyles and support services that respond to their holistic needs beyond their residential stay in the service.
The average length of stay is approximately 4 months.
Access and referral
Referrals can be made
- through community alcohol and other drug services, some which may be located within Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations, General Practitioners, Primary and Mental Health Services
- via YSAS community programs
- by individual young people or family members.
For further information and advice regarding referral to the service contact the manager of the service.
Telephone:
- (61 3) 5983 6273 or (61 3) 9495 6173 or
- YSASline 1800 014 446 (24 hour, toll free service)
