Darwin AOD Agency Forum report

Darwin 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.

Darwin 2003

Approximately 35 people from Darwin and the surrounding area participated in the ANCD’s AOD agency forum, which was held at the Crowne Plaza, Darwin on 12 June 2003. The forum participants included representatives from a range non-government organisations, as well as State & Federal government departments.

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 Darwin and/or the Northern Territory. The following issues were raised:

Treatment options and information
The forum heard that in previous years individuals had to travel interstate to receive specific types of treatment, however, this situation is changing and there is now an increasing range of treatment options available in the Northern Territory. Participants expressed concern that even though the range of treatment options is increasing, the information that is available about them (e.g. location and type) is limited and difficult to access.
MS Contin
A range of issues associated with the misuse of prescription opiates (especially MS Contin) were discussed by forum participants. The forum heard that MS Contin has been the preferred opiate of choice in the Northern Territory for the past decade.
Pharmacotherapy programs
Forum participants mentioned that Darwin's pharmacotherapy program, introduced within the last year, is now operational and that it services approximately 60 clients. The forum also heard that the individuals responsible for administering the program are working intensely to get more community pharmacists involved in it. Generally there was positive feedback about now having this treatment option available for opiate dependant clients in the Northern Territory.
Diversion Programs
Forum participants mentioned that Darwin's pharmacotherapy program, introduced within the last year, is now operational and that it services approximately 60 clients. The forum also heard that the individuals responsible for administering the program are working intensely to get more community pharmacists involved in it. Generally there was positive feedback about now having this treatment option available for opiate dependant clients in the Northern Territory.
Compulsory Treatment
It was brought to the attention of the forum that a Parliamentary Committee in the Northern Territory has been conducting a consultation process and the issue of compulsory treatment has been raised, especially for those individuals who abuse alcohol. Forum participants engaged in a discussion about the efficacy of such an idea. Specific concerns were raised about the effectiveness of combining individuals in compulsory treatment with those who had entered treatment voluntarily; whether there are adequate resources to support a compulsory treatment program; and the transition from compulsory treatment back into the community.
Cannabis use in the Northern Territory
Polydrug use in the Northern Territory (cannabis plus another substance, usually alcohol) was identified as a problem of increasing concern. Forum participants were of the view that the increase was most notable in the Indigenous community. In addition, they felt that this community was inadequately resourced to tackle the problem.
Tobacco use
Forum participants asserted that the problems associated with tobacco use were just as damaging as those linked to alcohol and cannabis. In addition, it was suggested that tobacco use in Indigenous communities was a major issue of concern. There was a consensus amongst participants that governments and treatment service providers need to demonstrate a commitment to addressing the problems associated with tobacco use in a similar manner to that of how they deal with alcohol and cannabis misuse.
‘Smoke free’ legislation in the Northern Territory
The introduction of ‘smoke free’ legislation in the Northern Territory was welcomed by forum participants but they commented that it was long overdue. Some participants contended that the legislation might be difficult to implement within particular Indigenous communities.
Kava usage
Concern was expressed by forum participants that the introduction of kava licences seems to have triggered an increase in the use and abuse of the substance. Further information was also sought on the health effects of kava abuse.
Financial resources
Forum participants declared that the Northern Territory has a number of issues to deal with in addition to those that are linked to AOD use. During the discussion participants claimed that if the Territory is to effectively deal with all of these issues, the services involved require additional financial support.
Workforce development
The issue of attracting and retaining suitably qualified AOD workers (Indigenous & non-Indigenous) in the Northern Territory, especially in remote locations, was identified by forum participants as being an extremely difficult task.
Northern Territory NGO peak body
Forum participants claimed that the establishment of a NGO peak body would be a welcome addition to the Northern Territory’s AOD sector. Participants stated that recent attempts to establish a peak body did not receive a lot of support from the Northern Territory Government. It was brought to the attention of the forum that the creation of a peak body within the Northern Territory, possibly in collaboration with other relevant sectors, is back on the agenda.
Links between AOD use and domestic violence
It was stated by forum participants that there was a strong link between the use of AOD and domestic violence. Participants sought information about the strategies that are currently in place to deal with this issue.
Comorbidity services
Issues related to comorbidity were seen as a problem in the Northern Territory and the forum participants believed that the services that deal with this issue required a lot more development, especially in remote parts of the Territory. Participants were of the opinion that the AOD and Mental Health services in the Northern Territory operated within their own ‘silo’, and that for treatment of comorbid clients to be more effective, there needs to be increased collaboration between the two sectors. It was stated that the recent restructure within the Northern Territory Government was showing positive signs of addressing this problem.
Services for young people
Forum participants expressed concern that the Northern Territory seemed unable to cater to some of the needs of its young people. In terms of AOD, it was stated that there were very few youth oriented AOD services or treatment facilities. As a result, it was suggested that there needs to be a more coordinated approach to the provision of services for young people in the Northern Territory.
Building resilience in young people
Forum participants discussed the need for young people to develop resilience skills from an early age to enable them to deal more effectively with life’s challenges as they grow older. Specific issues that were discussed included funding of resilience programs; the most effective environment to conduct resilience programs; and how to effectively engage young people, in particular those who are Indigenous, in the process.
Treatment options for individuals with young children
It was stated by forum participants that the Northern Territory has very few treatment services that can effectively accommodate a client with a young child. It was suggested that this situation had a major influence over the number of parents/carers that enter residential treatment programs.
Living With Alcohol Program (LWAP)
The LWAP was identified as being very successful at bringing alcohol related issues to prominence in the Northern Territory. Forum participants noted that the LWAP no longer operated within the Northern Territory and they asked how the funding that was associated with this program is currently being used. The forum was made aware that the Commonwealth Government still provided this funding to the Northern Territory and that it is utilised through the Territory Government’s AOD services program.

12 June 2003

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