Adelaide AOD Agency Forum report

Adelaide 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/s 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.

Adelaide 2004

Approximately 60 people from Adelaide and the surrounding area participated in the ANCD’s AOD agency forum, which was held at Rydges South Park, Adelaide on 9 December 2004. The forum participants included representatives from a range of non-government organisations, SA Government departments and Australian 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 that 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 South Australia. The following issues were raised:

Australian research into expenditure on treatment versus law enforcement
A forum participant questioned whether there has been any Australian research that compares government expenditure on treatment versus law enforcement activities to address drug use in this country.
New National Expert Advisory Panel
The ANCD was asked to provide an overview of how the new National Expert Advisory Panel will be structured and what its function will be in the current National Drug Strategy.
Dispensing costs for methadone programs
A participant expressed concern that some Pharmacists pass on their dispensing costs to clients of methadone/buprenorphine programs. It has been noted that these costs are a major deterrent for some clients staying in treatment. Participants asked whether there is any way that the Australian Government can subsidise Pharmacists’ dispensing costs for these substances.
Increasing demand for methadone treatment in South Australia
The forum heard that the methadone program in South Australian prisons continues to expand at a rapid rate. Concern was expressed that once these clients are released from prison there are not enough places in public or private methadone programs to support the demand. It was added that Community Pharmacists are also stretched to capacity to satisfy this demand.
South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services Inc (SANDAS)
A participant noted that when the ANCD last visited Adelaide, the South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services Inc (SANDAS) was in formation. SANDAS has now been running for 12 months and it was asked whether the ANCD could provide support to assist SANDAS in obtaining funding from the South Australian Government.
Trial of a needle and syringe program in an Australian prison
Forum participants noted the recent release of the ANCD report “Supply, demand and harm reduction strategies in Australian prisons: Implementation, cost and evaluation”. Questions were asked about what actions the ANCD is planning to take to follow up on the recommendation for the trial of a needle and syringe program in an Australian prison.
School drug education programs
Participants voiced their concern about a lack of school based education programs that focus on preventing use of alcohol and illicit drugs. The ANCD was asked to explain what influence, if any, it had on the development of drug education programs in schools.
Abstinence based treatment programs
A question was put forward asking what funding exists for abstinence based treatment for people in South Australia who are addicted to substances. There was then a discussion about the value of abstinence as a form of treatment and concern was expressed that there is continued use of drugs in some abstinence based treatment facilities.
Indigenous drug and alcohol issues
Concern was raised about the severity of AOD issues in Indigenous communities. It was pointed out that in many places Indigenous people as young as 6-8yrs are known to be using cannabis and solvents. It was suggested that there needs to be greater recognition of the uniqueness of Indigenous AOD issues.
Access to methadone treatment for people in rural/remote areas
It was noted that in rural Australia, the Patients Assistance Travel Scheme (PATS) assists people to gain access to medical treatment in larger cities such as Adelaide. It was pointed out that people cannot get access to PATS for methadone treatment and this service is greatly needed.
Gaps in services for young people
The forum heard that there is a lack of services available for young people who require access to detoxification or rehabilitation from AOD. A question was raised asking what proportion of the funding for treatment is spent on developing holistic AOD treatment services for young people. It was also noted that there is an urgent need to develop specific services for young people who experience cultural and/or other barriers to accessing mainstream services.
Alcohol advertising
Participants sought information about whether the ANCD is taking measures to work towards decreasing the current level of alcohol advertising. Participants then commented on the pressures that are placed on Indigenous communities in South Australia to support the removal of alcohol bans in communities for a specific period of time during certain festivals and celebrations.
Reducing the harms associated with tobacco
A participant asked the ANCD to explain what it is doing to work towards reducing the harms associated with tobacco.
The role of drug and alcohol nurses
It was pointed out that funding for specialist AOD nurses has been decreasing and in turn the nurse to patient ratio has been increasing. In addition, specialist AOD nurses are experiencing increased aggression from patients who are participating in detoxification programs. The ANCD was asked to note the important work that AOD nurses play in an individual’s overall treatment program and it was suggested that there needs to be greater recognition of their role in the holistic care of AOD clients.

9 December 2004

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