Identifying areas of greatest need

Identifying areas of greatest need

Aim

To provide advice on ways of addressing the serious issues that exist for Indigenous Australians

Purpose

Identify the current Indigenous specific drug and alcohol funding available across all State, Territory and Australian Government jurisdictions
Determine the current distribution & appropriateness of AOD services across all sectors across these jurisdictions
Identify areas of greatest need

Brief background to the project

The Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) is the principal advisory body to government on drug and alcohol issues and plays a critical role in ensuring that the voice of communities and all related sectors are heard.

As part of its commitment to provide high level advice to government, the ANCD established the National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee (NIDAC) in 2004 to specifically identify the most appropriate and effective approach for the ANCD to contribute to addressing Indigenous drug and alcohol issues within Australia.

The committee comprises a range of members from government and non-government organisations, law enforcement with either specialist expertise or broad experience in dealing with Indigenous drug and alcohol issues.

NIDAC is committed to providing advice on ways of addressing the serious issues that exist for Indigenous Australians. In order to provide a foundation for this work, the Prime Minister has requested that the ANCD & NIDAC commission a project to determine the current Indigenous specific drug and alcohol funding available across all State, Territory and Federal jurisdictions; and the current distribution & appropriateness of AOD services across all sectors across these jurisdictions. Given that there is general agreement on a significant level of unmet need existing in Indigenous communities a particular goal of this project is to identify the areas of greatest need.

The Inter-Governmental Committee on Drugs has agreed to support the NIDAC “Identifying Areas of Greatest Need” project by providing access to information required by the project.

Outline

NIDAC called for suitable individuals or groups to provide an in-depth report on the current Indigenous specific drug and alcohol funding which is available and also the current distribution & appropriateness of services across all sectors.

The report would provide a clear and concise analysis, outlining the funding and appropriateness of the current Indigenous services for drug and alcohol. In addition to this, an analysis was required in order to provide a complete report on the current situation of Australia’s Indigenous drug and alcohol funding, services, appropriateness of those services and the identification and assessment of unmet needs.

The National Drug Research Institute of Curtin University WA has been commissioned to conduct the project.

Statement of requirement

NIDAC expects the National Drug Research Institute will undertake the following tasks:

With assistance from NIDAC consult with all major funding and administrative bodies to ensure co-operation, at the commencement of the project.
Collect the relevant information identifying the funding available for Indigenous drug and alcohol services in Australia. Indigenous drug and alcohol agencies include those providing specific drug and alcohol prevention, education, treatment, outreach and harm reduction services that are either/or:
- Community controlled
- Predominately providing services for Indigenous people
- Located within Indigenous communities
- Providing a specific service for Indigenous people
Collect the relevant information on the drug and alcohol services which are funded in Australia.
Analyse the drug and alcohol services which are funded in Australia, looking at the following areas:
- Location in relation to Indigenous communities
- Number of clients engaged in services who are Indigenous
- Cost effectiveness
- Source and nature (e.g. ongoing vs. pilot) of funding
From the information above the appropriateness of the individual services can be analysed and reported on.
Engage in consultation with all the relevant stakeholders from both government and non-government organisations.
Provide a report including a summary and critical analysis of the literature, outlining the funding available for Indigenous AOD services, the appropriateness of the services provided and identifying and assessing areas of greatest unmet need. The report is to contain clear and concise recommendations.

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