National Leadership Forum on Ice – Compendium of Jurisdictional Achievements (4)
4. Prevention, Education And Community Responses
Australian Government
A third phase of Australia"s National Drugs Campaign will continue to raise community awareness around the harms associated with drug use and will target illicit drug use among young Australians. The third phase will include a focus on amphetamine-type stimulants. The Campaign will build upon the two previous phases of campaign activity, which targeted parents and young people to increase community awareness on the harms caused by illicit drugs.An additional $9.2 million will also enhance the third phase of the National Drugs Campaign to include a focus on methamphetamine, including its highly potent form Ice. A new television commercial on Ice will be developed to complement existing commercials on cannabis, ecstasy and amphetamines. An updated version of the parents" booklet Talking with your kids about drugs will also be distributed to all households and drug prevention resources will be developed for teachers to use in school based drug education.
The Australian Government also actively supports the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia Drug Action Week, a national week of activities to raise awareness about alcohol and other drug issues and to promote the achievements of those who work to reduce drug related harm.
Through the National School Drug Education Strategy (NSDES) the Australian Government has developed a range of resources and initiatives that assist schools and the broader school community to deliver effective drug education and prevent the harm that substance abuse can cause young people. The Resilience Education and Drug Information (REDI) suite of resources focuses on preventing and reducing drug abuse by helping students to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to become more resilient young people.
During 2007 the Australian Government Department of Education Science and Training (DEST) is developing a website containing information and strategies to assist young people in their understanding of the dangers of ecstasy and related drugs use, including methamphetamines. The content will be targeted at teachers, to support their delivery of effective drug information; at students to provide credible and accurate information and advice; and at their parents, to provide readily available and easily understood information to assist them to communicate with their teenagers on ERDs related issues. NSDES is funded through the National Illicit Drugs Strategy.
The "don't carry drugs anytime, anywhere" poster issues a stark warning to travellers of the dire consequences of trying to take illegal drugs overseas, with copies of the poster placed at every international airport around Australia
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New Zealand
CAYAD - The Community Action Youth and Drugs (CAYAD) initiative arose in response to major problems associated with drugs and young people. This initiative is a way of assisting communities to develop strategies to address drug issues and in the process become stronger. The main features of CAYAD projects include:- Community ownership of issues and solutions and commitment to the process to address risk factors and conditions affecting community safety and wellbeing. They promote problem-solving processes that recognise the influence of broader socio-economic factors on public health. Addressing community norms, support systems and structures are essential features of this approach.
- Formative evaluation through partnerships with research organisations to aid project development and accountability
- Skills development of local project workers as resource people for their communities
- Skills mix of team-workers at both local and national advocacy levels
- Project cohesion through the "Bro" factor front-line community role models.
Dance Party Guidelines - The Ministry of Health publishes dance party guidelines to help dance party promoters who plan, manage, and operate dance events with the principles of best practice to safeguard the health and safety of people attending the events.
Alcohol Drug Helpline - The alcohol drug helpline offers free confidential information, insight and support on any problem issue or query about drinking or drug talking.
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NSW
"Club Drugs" Campaign - A NSW Health Community Drug Strategies program aimed at young ecstasy users who also engage in poly-drug use of other substances, including "ice". The campaign includes referrals to emergency help, counselling and treatment.Getting it Together - The program targets vulnerable young people between the ages of 12 and 18 whose drug and or alcohol use is problematic and who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. It provides case management for young people and brokerage to purchase additional services, for example, emergency accommodation.
Gateways - Targets secondary students who are at risk of drug use, and aims to maintain their links with schools.
Secondary school resources – A "Frequently Asked Questions: Marijuana, Ecstasy and Amphetamine" information pamphlet is distributed to secondary school students to inform them of the harm caused by these drugs. It is also included in the End of Year Celebration Kit distributed annually to Year 12 students. A new magazine for students leaving school and TAFE includes information on the health and legal consequences of risk-taking behaviour, particularly relating to drugs and alcohol with information on amphetamines and ecstasy.
Red Cross "Save a mate" – program aims to support young people and promote health and wellbeing through education on key health issues, in particular those related to alcohol, other drug use and mental health.
Family Drug Support (FDS) - provides support for families and friends of users. FDS provides a national 24-hour, seven-day telephone helpline, website and a number of electronic and print resources for family and carers of people with problematic drug use.
The Stepping Stones course – is a 27-hour program that guides families through the process of dealing with drugs and developing resilience, and is also available through FDS.
Drug Info@Your Local Library (formerly Di@yll) - is a partnership with the State Library of NSW to provide the community with access to a range of reliable Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) resources and referral points.
Community Drug Action Teams (CDATs)- are the main vehicle for the community mobilisation strategy at a local level. CDATs are a coalition of government, non-government, community representatives and local agencies who work together to take action towards reducing the harmful effect of drugs and alcohol in their local community. A number of CDATs have begun planning and implementing "ice" specific initiatives.
NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council - The state plan for Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) workforce development, Drug and Alcohol Issues: An Agenda for Workforce Development in NSW, was launched in November 2005. Goal 1 of the plan: Grow the Capacity of the Workforce to Prevent and Minimise Drug and Alcohol Problems specifically targets development of the workforce in preventing and minimising harm from amphetamine use. Under Strategy 2.1: Enable the development of priority skills for the workforce the plan includes the following Objective: Facilitate learning of specialist skills for treating the increasing use of particular drugs e.g. amphetamines.
Train-the-trainer program - for frontline workers aims to better equip them in the treatment of psychostimulants including methamphetamines. Participants of this training have been able to form a network within which further training can be implemented at a local level on an as-needed basis.
A Families and Carers Training Resource - for frontline drug and alcohol workers who work with families affected by drug issues. The Kit contains practical and relevant information for workers who are not drug and alcohol specialists. A culturally appropriate resource is currently under development for Aboriginal families and carers.
Funding has been provided to the AIDS Council of NSW (ACON) and the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) to conduct joint research on the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) communities" use of drugs and safe sex practices. ACON published a health information brochure on crystal methamphetamine in late 2005.
Caseworker Development Course and Regional Training Course programs are operated by the Department of Community Services to train DoCS staff to identify the short and long-term consequences of drug use and assess risk of harm in developing realistic case plans.
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Victoria
Victorian Amphetamine Strategy - a Victorian Amphetamine Taskforce has been established, chaired by the Minister for Mental Health to provide expert advice and develop a long term strategy to tackle ice and amphetamines in Victoria. This strategy is being developed in consultation with the broader community and the alcohol and drug sector and will provide the framework for a comprehensive and coordinated statewide response to the problem of amphetamine use.Vivaids - provides illicit drug overdose prevention and education for clients and workers. (Department of Human Services S provides funding)
RaveSafe - a peer education initiative that targets drug users who attend rave parties. RaveSafe attends a minimum of 12 raves/parties annually, distributing health promotion resources to thousands of partygoers each year. (DHS provides funding)
A Code of Practice between Government and promoters/operators of dance parties has been developed to minimise harm and increase safety for patrons. The Code has been widely distributed to promoters/operators of dance parties and to licensed venues. The Victorian Government will review the Code of Practice and consider a more detailed response to reduce harms in relation to the use of methamphetamines in these venues.
Victorian Government Workforce Development Strategy - Turning Point has also undertaken a training needs analysis for workers in the alcohol and other drug services field. Nine statewide professional development training courses on amphetamines were delivered to workers in the alcohol and other drug services field, nine "party drug" training courses were delivered to this field in 2004-05, and a further six training courses were delivered in 2005-06.
In December 2006 the Transport Accident Commission launched a public education campaign to inform motorists that all booze buses will soon be testing for drugs. This included TV, radio and internet advertising as well as outdoor signage and cricket sponsorship.
Community Education Campaign - The Victorian Government has committed $1 million to a state-wide public awareness campaign to discourage young people from using amphetamines and cannabis. The campaign will aim to raise awareness of the risks associated with with use of methamphetamines, particularly ice.
Information for Parents: $100,000 has been allocated to provide parents of every teenager in Victoria with an information brochure outlining the risks of ice and where to get help from Victorian services.
Queensland
The 'Ice-Breaker' Strategy includes the establishment of a Taskforce comprised of intergovernmental representatives to oversee a range of initiatives to reduce harms related to amphetamine-type substance use, including:- Development of a statewide education campaign targeting young people about the dangers of ice to prevent and mitigate addiction;
- Statewide assessment of public and non-government drug treatment facilities and other interventions currently available, identification of service gaps and the development of recommendations to improve responses for people with problems with ATS use and dependence;
- Legislative amendments to ensure the prohibition of retail sale, supply and display of 'ice pipes';
- Pseudoephedrine education and enforcement initiative that aims to reduce the prescription and distribution of precursors by general practitioners and pharmacists.
The Ravesafe Initiative provides peer education and harm reduction strategies for young people experiencing drug-related problems at rave parties, dance parties, licensed venues, concerts, and social events.
'Putting the Brakes on Speed' - A community awareness project marketed in Real Estate, Hotel/Motel Accommodation, Pharmacists and the Chemical and Scientific Industry utilising posters, brochures and other marketing materials.
Awareness presentations are made to the general community and key stakeholders together with disseminating material developed through "Putting the Brakes on Speed".
The Ravesafe Peer Helper Program is being delivered in partnership with Community Solutions. It provides information, including drug education, and support through a peer helper program which promotes safe environments at nightclubs, dance music/rave venues located in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.
Queensland led the development of new National Amphetamine Education Resources that are being rolled out across Queensland to key health workers from Government and non-government agencies. These resources have now been funded by the Commonwealth for use in all other States.
Queensland Health also led the development of a comprehensive package of amphetamine information resources for frontline workers in the police, emergency services, corrections and health sectors to assist generalist workers who come into contact with individuals affected by amphetamines. Queensland Health is presently the disseminating the health care resource (Psychostimulant Information for Heath Care Workers).
As part of the COAG funded Queensland Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative, Queensland's illicit drug diversion workforce (including Court Diversion treatment staff), are being trained in the referral and management of patients with methamphetamine toxicity.
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Tasmania
An Interagency Working Group on Drugs has finalised a Tasmanian Psychostimulants Action Plan to coordinate efforts to:- Reduce the supply and availability of illicit drugs and precursors;
- Work with the dance party industry to develop guidelines for safer environments;
- Build resilience in young people;
- Develop information resources for young people, the community, police and health professionals; and
- Provide timely and appropriate intervention and linking of people to health services.
Tasmania Police has developed brochures for the community to provide guidance and information about the risks associated with clan labs, how to identify a clan lab in operation and how to report suspicious behaviour or criminal activity.
The Tasmania Police Chemical Diversion Desk is responsible for coordinating information received about suspicious equipment/precursor purchases and raising awareness of this issue within the community.
Tasmania Police conducts regular visits to community pharmacies to provide face to face contact, to enable checks of pharmacy records relating to the sale of pseudoephedrine medicines and to provide security advice where appropriate.
Tasmania Police uses the media to convey to the public the potential for prosecution and of the health issues associated with the use of all illicit drugs including ATS.
South Australia
The Impact of Alcohol and Other Drugs in the Workplace – DASSA has developed Guidelines for addressing alcohol and other drug related harm in the workplace. The final report is publicly available from the SafeWork SA website. The final report and recommendations arising from the research, have been submitted to the SafeWork SA Advisory Committee for consideration.The Clean Needle Program undertakes a number of activities related to amphetamine type substances. ATS related training, including the Psychostimulants and Managing Challenging Behaviour workshop, a Clean Needle Program licensing workshop, which includes a component on ATS and related issues (psychosis, trends etc) the distribution of ATS education resources through Clean Needle Program outlets.
Guidelines for Safer Dance Parties – Guidelines have been developed in collaboration with a range of key stakeholders. These Guidelines aim to reduce the harm arising from the use of ecstasy and related drug use among young people involved in the dance party scene. The Guidelines assist key stakeholders including promoters, police and emergency services in the safe management of dance party events where illicit drugs including methamphetamines are used. The guidelines continue to be promoted to dance event promoters including the Dance Party Community Stakeholders Forum. This Forum facilitates collaboration around issues within the dance party scene among Government, non-government and industry stakeholders.
Illicit Drug Seizures Media Policy – SAPOL has developed this policy to utilise media opportunities following the discovery of clandestine drug laboratories or significant drug seizures to reinforce to the public the dangers of:
- Psychostimulants and other illicit drugs
- The inherent hazards of clandestine drug manufacture processes.
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Western Australia
Development of a Code of Practice between Government and promoters/operators of dance parties and licensed venues to promote safety for patrons and to minimise harm.The Drug Aware amphetamine prevention education program aims to prevent and/or delay the uptake of amphetamine use and increase access to support services at an early stage.
The Night Venues and Entertainment Events Program (NVEEP) includes a drug user education program, staff risk management training, policy development, policy implementation and enforcement to reduce the risk factors among the high-risk group of people who attend night venues.
The Amphetamine Education Strategy complements the NVEEP and aims to prevent and delay uptake and reduce the harms associated with ATS use. The Summer Campaign is targeted to minimising and linking users to services.
The WA School Drug Education Project is a partnership program providing teacher training and curriculum materials for years K to 12 supported by regional networks of teachers and community agencies. The In Touch School Drug Counselling Program supports early intervention by teachers and school psychologists. These programs include attention to ATS including dexamphetamine.
The Drug Overdose Prevention Program (DROPP) aims to encourage and support drug users, agency staff, mainstream health workers and the wider community to enhance strategies to prevent and respond effectively to accidental drug overdoses and other drug-related harm, including toxicity related to amphetamine use.
Local Drug Action Groups Inc. is a not for profit, community network of 60 Local Drug Action Groups currently operating throughout Western Australia including remote Aboriginal communities. They work in partnership with the Government of Western Australia to undertake a range of activities to prevent and reduce drug related harm in their local communities. Emphasis is on local and practical action and grass roots community development.
Australian Capital Territory
An education program targeting street-level users and young adults generally associated with the dance party scene commenced in August 2001. The aim of the package is to educate target groups regarding the associated risks involved with ecstasy use risks relating to incidents of drug facilitated sexual assault.The campaign consists of posters, pamphlets, cards and stickers. To date the package has been distributed throughout the ACT to schools, businesses, social and welfare groups and universities, and to all police jurisdictions within Australia. A module for the AFP drug education resource 'Making the Difference' has been prepared for use by Community Policing members.
Education packages were also developed specifically for new recruits and response members. A more detailed package was developed for the Sexual Assault and Investigation Courses.
Northern Territory
Northern Territory Police are pursuing media and marketing opportunities in local papers and community papers to raise awareness within the community of the dangers and risks posed by psychostimulants.The Northern Territory Police are implementing the School Based Policing program, which places officers in secondary schools across the NT, with links to the primary schools within their respective regions. The School Based Officers work with education staff to deliver drug education materials. The curriculum "7 Core Themes" contains targeted information based on the requests of school principals or as the need arises for responses to new emerging issues such as amphetamines.
Page currency, Latest update: 16 May, 2007
