WA Local Agencies Consultation Forum report

Background

The Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) has determined it will hold a local agency forum, in conjunction with its meeting in each state and territory. These forums form part of the Councils strategy to fulfil its role of representing the views of non-government and community-based organisations working in the drug and alcohol field.

The Council is committed to ensuring the expert advice available in the non-government and community sectors is heard in the process of government decision making. Initiatives such as these are seen as vital to the continuation of the establishment of links between government and community organisations, furthering the20notion of working together to reduce drug-related harm in our society.

Western Australia Local Agency Forum

The ANCD hosted a consultative forum for local drug and alcohol agencies at the Holyoak Centre on 29 September 1999.

The forum commenced with a brief outline the ANCD, its role and membership. The forum was then opened up for questions and comments, providing the opportunity for community based organisations in the drug and alcohol to raise issues of concern to them in the field.

Approximately 30 people attended the forum, from a range of organisations. Representatives who attended the forum included treatment agencies and practitioners, law enforcement, education, indigenous, youth, community drug teams and government authorities.

Council members in attendance were:

• Major Brian Watters

• Professor Margaret Hamilton

• Ms Jude Byrne

• Mr Graham Strathearn

• Mr Tony Trimingham

• Mr Dennis Young

• Mr Arthur Toon

• Mr Wesley Noffs20

• Dr Robert Ali

• Mr Craig Thompson

• Mr Gino Vumbaca (Secretariat)

• Ms Karen Price (Secretariat)

• Mrs Deb Hindmarsh (Secretariat)

Unfortunately, Professors Ian Webster and Wayne Hall, Mr Scott Wilson and Ms Karyn Hart were unable to attend.

The following themes were raised and discussed throughout the forum:

1. Lack of residential treatment services where the whole family is able to attend

2. Dual-diagnosis, specifically related to indigenous people, and the training needs of people working with dual-diagnosis clients

3. Impact on the drug and alcohol field of the downsizing of related services such as housing support, employment and health services

4. Role of workers in the drug and alcohol field to educate and inform those around them to raise awareness of the issues and thereby assist in more sophisticated public debate around the drug issue

5. Need to better understand the benefits of participation in shorter duration versus longer term treatment programs, and the need for more research in this area

6. The importance of collecting the opinion and engaging youth in the development of drug and alcohol policies and strategies

Karen Price
ANCD Secretariat
30 September 1999

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