Hobart AOD Agency Forum report

Hobart AOD Agency Forum report

Background

The Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) has determined it will hold an alcohol and other drug (AOD) agency forum in conjunction with its meetings in each State and Territory. Through these forums, the ANCD is able to ensure that the views of non-government, community-based organisations that deal with AOD issues are considered as part of drug policy advice.

The ANCD produces a report from each forum which aims to provide a brief description of the issues raised by forum participants. These reports are available on the ANCD’s internet site to enable forum participants and interested others to access the issues that were discussed. The ANCD also provides a copy of each report to the Premier or Chief Minister, as well as the Minister responsible for AOD issues in each jurisdiction, to ensure that the Government is aware of the issues raised.

It should also be noted that the issues raised at the forums are not necessarily areas that the ANCD agrees with or is able to address. They do however provide ANCD members with an important insight into community concerns and perceptions about specific AOD issues. In addition, the ANCD believes that it has an obligation to participants to report the issues and concerns raised in an unfettered manner.

Hobart 2003

Approximately 45 people from Hobart and the surrounding area participated in the ANCD’s AOD agency forum, which was held at Wrest Point Conference Centre, Hobart on 20 March 2003. The forum participants included representatives of non-government organisations, State & Federal government departments and family groups.

The forum was preceded by the launch of the joint ANCD & National Expert Advisory Committee on Alcohol (NEACA) commissioned report Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – National Workshop 2002. The report was launched by Professor Margaret Hamilton in her capacity as Deputy Chair of NEACA and Major Brian Watters, Chair of the ANCD.

Following the launch, Major Watters officially welcomed participants to the forum, explained its purpose, and then introduced the Executive Officer of the ANCD, Mr Gino Vumbaca.

Mr Vumbaca gave a presentation that:

Explained the role of the ANCD and its position within the National Drug Strategic Framework;
Highlighted some of the projects the ANCD has commissioned;
Outlined progress under the Tough on Drugs strategy; and
Provided information about a range of AOD issues.

At the conclusion of his presentation, Mr Vumbaca opened the floor for questions and/or comments about current and emerging AOD issues in Hobart and/or Tasmania. The following issues were raised:

Support for families involved in the treatment process
It was suggested that there seems to be a lack of support services available for families involved in the treatment process. Participants explained that providing support to a family member who uses drugs, as well as coping with the situation is a long-term process. As a result, it was argued that families also need access to assistance and support services in their own right.
Treatment: Access & information
Concern was expressed that when drug users decide to seek help, it is often difficult for them and their family members to obtain information about currently available treatment options and support services. Participants also suggested that Tasmania does not offer the community a comprehensive range of treatment options or support services post-treatment. To access the treatment services they need, drug users and in some cases their families must travel interstate, however, the costs associated with such action do not make it a viable option.
Demands on treatment agency staff
Forum participants were informed that treatment agency staff within Tasmania cannot meet the current demand for their services. In addition, it was asserted that the AOD workforce in Tasmania needs increased access to training and development opportunities to enable the workers to provide the range of treatment options that drug users seek.
Support for drug users and their families
Members of the support group ‘Grandparents Raising Grandchildren’ voiced their concerns about the lack of information, assistance, and support available for parents of drug users. In addition, the support group suggested that the lack of access to treatment and post-treatment support for drug users was detrimental to the stability of the family and increased the likelihood of intergenerational drug use within families.
Privacy Act
Forum participants discussed specific circumstances where they believed the Privacy Act impeded the treatment process. Participants claimed that the current Act did not facilitate the exchange of information between different health care professionals who are responsible for treating the same client, and as a result, it was suggested that this situation reduces the effectiveness of treatment.
Funding for treatment agencies
Forum participants expressed concern about the level of funding that AOD treatment agencies receive from the Tasmanian Government and the impact this situation has on services agencies can deliver.
Advocacy issues
Following the discussion about concerns over funding, it was suggested that treatment agencies need to advocate ‘outside the square’ in an attempt to acquire additional funding. It was also put forward that families should work together to advocate for their rights. Examples of such rights include access to suitable treatment programs for drug users, and the provision of support services for families of drug users within Tasmania.
Inviting families to participate in the treatment process
A view was expressed that families should be invited to participate in the treatment process from the beginning. In certain circumstances families believed that they were being excluded from participating in the treatment process until the latter stages, and as a result, they could not fully support the drug user through the whole process. It was noted, however, that in some instances this was appropriate, due to the family situation.
Concerns of injecting drug users
Injecting drug users voiced their concerns about the Tasmanian Government’s lack of consultation with them about policy decisions that will inevitably impact on them. They expressed dissatisfaction about the limited access to information regarding the complaints process for methadone prescription and dispensing. Additionally, injecting drug users also enquired about the kind of training that is offered to Tasmanian methadone prescribers and dispensers to ensure that the service they provide to drug users is appropriate.
Rehabilitation facilities
It was brought to the attention of the forum that the north-west region of Tasmania, which includes approximately 105,000 people, does not have a rehabilitation facility. However, of greater concern was the fact that there was not a rehabilitation facility anywhere in Tasmania dedicated to treating those young people less than 18 years of age.
Harm minimisation and current drug policy
A question was asked about the role of harm minimisation in current drug policy and how it is viewed by the Prime Minister. ANCD members explained that harm minimisation has been a fundamental component of Australia’s drug policy since 1985 and all governments have agreed to this. In the current National Drug Strategic Framework harm minimisation is seen as a continuum that includes abstinence based strategies. ANCD members explained that the Federal Government demonstrates its commitment to harm minimisation by providing funding to a wide range of alcohol and other drug programs such as Needle & Syringe Programs and Methadone treatment.
Access to methadone maintenance programs for young people
Concerns were expressed that young people (12-25 years) in Tasmania have limited access to methadone maintenance programs due to their lack of mobility and the fact that Doctors cannot take any more patients.
Prescription and dispensing of methadone
Participants discussed issues associated with the public and private prescription of methadone, the difficulties in finding pharmacies that are prepared to dispense it, and the time it takes to access the methadone program. Participants also suggested that there is a need for the private sector to receive increased support and training to operate Tasmania’s methadone program more effectively.
Methadone treatment
Participants asked whether an individual can be excluded from entry into detoxification programs based on their dose of methadone. Some individuals expressed concern about the methadone ‘take-away’ process, suggesting that the ‘take-aways’ are sold to fund drug use. To counter this, participants were informed of some of the positive aspects of ‘take-aways’, which included the fact that it puts structure back into an individual’s life, provides them with responsibility, and gives them enhanced access to employment opportunities and pathways out of drug use.
Pilot project fatigue
Pilot project fatigue was seen as a major problem in Tasmania. Participants were of the opinion that there needs to be a strategic approach to the selection and implementation of pilot projects within Tasmania. In particular, it was felt that these projects need to offer communities long term benefits, rather than leaving a gap in service provision when the pilot period ceases.
Where to from here?
Based on the discussion, the view was put forward that issues surrounding funding, access to services, and support for families are significant concerns for Tasmanians. However, to address these issues it is essential that individuals and groups be prepared to advocate for them and argue their case with relevant stakeholders that are in positions of power and influence.

20 March 2003

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