Program
The Alcohol and Other Drugs Program aims to minimise harm associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, through a range of prevention, education, treatment and community action initiatives.
The material found on this Alcohol and Other Drugs sub-site is intended for public use and reproduction. In an effort to assist the community in making informed decisions about, and managing alcohol and other drug issues, general information, plus clinical links to reputable sites are provided with the intent to inform and educate.
This sub-site is primarily for individuals, families and communities who are affected by alcohol and other drug issues, who are seeking general information about alcohol and other drugs, and issues specifically relating to the Northern Territory.
Strategic Directions for 2009-12
Priority Action Area - Targeting Smoking, Alcohol and Substance Abuse (Adobe PDF document - 1036KB)
Tackling substance abuse and the damage it causes
The issue of substance abuse, particularly alcohol with the devastating effect this has on entire communities, remains a key priority in the NT. The disruption to families, homes, and services will be addressed in a coordinated way across the whole of government. We will actively participate in actions to enable Territorians to reduce the impact of substance abuse and achieve improved health and social outcomes.
High levels of alcohol and other drug misuse across the Territory is damaging our way of life. Government has introduced innovative legislation providing the framework to tackle these issues and support initiatives to increase our capacity to respond through prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Tackling substance abuse and the damage it causes is a key priority. We will work together with other relevant agencies, the non-government sector and the community to establish coordinated responses to address the associated social, health and well-being problems resulting from substance abuse.
This theme has two major priority action areas:
- Actively engage in activities aimed at reducing the harm of alcohol misuse across Northern Territory communities
- Implement smoking cessation and prevention activities across the community.
Priority Actions 2007-09
What we will do? How we will know we have achieved these things?
Implement strategies to reduce the harm of alcohol and other drug misuse
- Development and delivery of alcohol treatment and interventions through specialised treatment services, interventions in primary health care services and acute health services
- Community advocacy, action and planning around alcohol and its management in urban and remote areas
- Policy, research and cross agency input on whole of government issues (i.e. anti-social behaviour and liquor licensing issues).
Expand and further develop treatment, rehabilitation and after care models
- Increased number of treatment and rehabilitation services
- Development of innovative after care models to treat substance misuse
- Improved support and treatment services for people with both mental health and substance abuse problems.
Develop and support a remote community based workforce to promote harm minimisation and interventions.
- Increased number of remote community based workers
- More community level activities focused on delivering harm minimization and interventions.
Promote and conduct smoking cessation and prevention activities.
- More staff trained to deliver smoking cessation courses
- Increased number of Fresh Start courses delivered
- Establishment and promotion of smoke free DHCS service sites.
Establish formal structures within the department and with other relevant agencies to progress initiatives regarding substance abuse.
- Formation of a departmental Substance Abuse Committee
- Development of comprehensive action plans to address substance misuse
- Coordination of the Department's activities across programs and with other NTG agencies
- Development and implementation of Alcohol Management Plans in communities in consultation with the Department of Justice
- Provided advice to the Licensing Commission to allow consideration of social impacts in their decision making.
The Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs 2009 Conference.
This Dynamic conference is hosted in Darwin, November 1-4. The conference draws on the knowledge of a number of speakers with a range of experience in the AOD field. For further information can be viewed here or phone 03 9645 6311