Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy (CAHMA)
Provides a peer based users group run by and for past or current illicit/injecting drug users, their families and friends.
| Phone: | (02) 6279 1670 |
| Fax: | (02) 6279 1610 |
| Mailing Address: | GPO Box 5078, Braddon, ACT 2612 |
| Email: | info@cahma.org.au |
| Website: | www.aivl.org.au |
| Location: | Level 1, Sydney Building, 112 – 116 Alinga Street, Canberra City |
| Parent Organisation: | Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) |
| Opening Hours: | 10am – 4pm, Monday - Friday |
| Treatment Approach: | Harm Reduction |
| Access Criteria: | |
| Target Group: | Current or past injecting/illicit drugs users of any age. |
| Area serviced: | ACT and surrounding areas. Interstate residents are welcome. |
| Income required: | No; however, support is provided to assist people to access income support. |
| Disability Access: | No |
| Detox required before accessing program: | No |
| Documentation required: | No |
| Medication: | People accessing the service can be on prescription medications including pharmacotherapies. |
| Parents with accompanying children: | Yes. Children of all ages are welcome under the supervision of parents or carers. |
| Couples: | Yes |
| How to Access / Referrals: | |
| Contact: | By phone or drop-in, 10am – 4pm, Monday - Friday. |
| Referral: | No referrals necessary. |
| Waiting List: | No waiting list. |
| Intake & Assessment: | Workers are available from 10am – 4pm, Monday – Friday. |
| Program/s: | Provides a peer based users group run by and for past or current illicit / injecting drug users, their families and friends. Represents the interests of drug users and promotes improved health and reduction of harms associated with illicit / injecting drug use through peer based education workshops, information and policy development. Peer support, advocacy, education, information and referrals are also provided.
Provides consultancy / assistance and training upon request to alcohol and other drug services and community organisations, on issues relating to illicit/injecting drug use.
CAHMA also provides:
Pharmacotherapy Advocacy and Action Team (PHAAT):
Provides a monthly meeting held at 12pm on the last Thursday of the month for pharmacotherapy consumers to have an informal lunch and share information related to treatment options. PHAAT aims to improve treatment service provision to achieve postitive outcomes for individuals and consumers, and to support consumers to engage on decisions that impact on themselves and their treatment. Individual support and advocacy is provided for consumers experiencing difficulties with their treatment, and to support people to access treatment. Peer Education Program: Provides peer education groups run by and for past or current illicit / injecting drug users and pharmacotherapy consumers. Topics for harm reduction education workshops include: blood borne viruses; sexual health; overdose prevention; safer injecting; drug treatments; mental health and co-morbidity. Consultations and focus groups for consumers to input into local and national policy development activities are facilitated, and the program actively promotes health and human rights for drug users. Radio Show: “News from the Drug War Front”: Provides a weekly radio show from 11am on Tuesdays on community radio 2XX 98.3fm. Reports the latest news about drug use, prohibition politics, health messages and CAHMA updates. The show is presented by CAHMA staff and volunteers. Treatment Support Service: Provides information, support and referral to people wanting to, or considering, accessing detoxification, rehabilitation or opioid treatment programs in the ACT or interstate. This peer support program can explain how treatments work and consumer rights or can advocate on behalf of people having treatment difficulties. The Connection: (Indigenous Program of CAHMA) Provides peer based support services for Indigenous people who are past or present illicit / injecting drug users in the ACT and surrounding area (see page 50). |
| Comorbidity: | Provides comorbidity and mental health specific information and referrals. Education sessions on mental health related topics are provided in partnership with specialist mental health services. Referal and support can be provided for people to access mental health services through the Better Access Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Initiative. Staff undertake Mental Health First Aid and PsyCheck training. |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander: | Provides a specific Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program. All staff are required to attend training on working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Drug Users Organisations. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific information and referrals are provided. |
| Culturally and Linguistically Diverse: | Provides limited culturally and linguistically diverse resources and referrals. |
| Cost: | Free for consumers. Fees for consultancy / training and assistance to community organisations are negotiable. |
| Staff: | Alcohol and Other Drug Indigenous Peer Support Worker, Alcohol and Other Drug Peer Education Workers, Policy & Advocacy Worker and Treatment Support Worker. |
| Families / Carers: | Families and carers can access some CAHMA programs. |
The Connection, Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy (CAHMA)
Provides a peer based support program for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who are past or present illicit / injecting drug users, their families and friends.
| Phone: | (02) 6279 1671 or (02) 6279 1670 |
| Fax: | (02) 6279 1610 |
| Mailing Address: | GPO Box 1552, Canberra City, ACT 2601 |
| Email: | theconnection@cahma.org.au |
| Location: | Level 1, Sydney Building, 112 – 116 Alinga Street, Canberra City |
| Parent Organisation: | Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) |
| Opening Hours: | 10am – 4pm, Monday - Friday |
| Treatment Approach: | Harm Reduction |
| Access Criteria: | |
| Target Group: | Indigenous people who are current or past injecting/illicit drug users. Non-Indigenous people are also welcome to access the program. |
| Area serviced: | ACT and surrounding areas. Interstate residents are welcome. |
| Income required: | No. Support can be provided to assist people to access income support. |
| Disability Access: | No |
| Detox required before accessing program: | No |
| Documentation required: | No |
| Medication: | People accessing the service can be on prescription medications, including pharmacotherapies. |
| Parents with accompanying children: | Yes. Children are welcome under the supervision of parents or carers. |
| Couples: | Yes |
| How to Access / Referrals: | |
| Contact: | By phone or drop-in, 10am – 4pm, Monday - Friday. |
| Referral: | No referral necessary. |
| Waiting List: | No waiting list. |
| Intake & Assessment: | Workers are available from 10am – 4pm, Monday – Friday. |
| Program/s: | Provides a peer based support program for Indigenous people who are past or present illicit / injecting drug users, their families and friends. Services are tailored to meet the specific needs and issues of the Indigenous community. Peer support, education, information, support in accessing treatment programs, referrals, advocacy and individualised support are provided. Non-Indigenous people are welcome to access the program. Provides a Deadly Family BBQ and Art Attack social event for Indigenous individuals and families, with a focus on healthy lunches and Indigenous art lessons. The BBQ is held from 12pm – 2.30pm the first Thursday of the month at the Boomerang Centre, Allawah Flats. The BBQ promotes social inclusion, cultural celebrations and harm reduction education. Information and resources are provided, and allied health services are invited to attend as guests. |
| Comorbidity: | Provides comorbidity and mental health specific information and referrals. Education sessions on mental health related topics are provided in partnership with specialist mental health services. Referal and support can be provided for people to access mental health services through the Better Access Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Initiative. Staff undertake Mental Health First Aid and PsyCheck training. |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander: | Programs designed and delivered specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. |
| Culturally and Linguistically Diverse: | Provides limited referrals to culturally and linguistically diverse services. |
| Cost: | Free |
| Staff: | 1 part-time Indigenous Peer Support Worker. |
| Families / Carers: | Families and carers can access some programs. |