Aboriginal Liaison Officer (ALO), Alcohol and Drug Program
Provides support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access and participate in alcohol and other drug services.
| Phone: | (02) 6207 9977 |
| Fax: | (02) 6205 8380 |
| Mailing Address: | GPO Box 825, Canberra City, ACT 2601 |
| Website: | www.health.act.gov.au |
| Location: | ACT Health Building, Level 1, 1 Moore St, Canberra City |
| Parent Organisation: | Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP), ACT Health |
| Opening Hours: | 8.30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday |
| Treatment Approach: | Harm Minimisation |
| Access Criteria: | |
| Target Group: | Female and male Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including young people aged 12-18 years. |
| Area serviced: | ACT; however, support can be provided to interstate services wishing to refer clients to ACT alcohol and other drug services |
| Income required: | No |
| Disability Access: | Yes, access ramps, lifts and disabled toilets |
| 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 |
| Couples: | Yes |
| How to Access / Referrals: | |
| Contact: | By phone, 24 hours. |
| Referral: | Self or worker referral. Referrals are accepted for people on court orders. |
| Waiting List: | No waiting list. |
| Intake & Assessment: | Through the 24 hour Intake Line. An appointment for an over the phone or face to face assessment will be scheduled. |
| Program/s: | Provides support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access, and participate in alcohol and other drug services. Provides assessment, information, education, case management and support. Information and support to alcohol and other drug services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services is also provided. |
| Comorbidity: | Provides comorbidity and mental health specific information and referrals. Facilitates access to the Alcohol and Drug Program Comorbidity Officer, Psychiatric Registrar and Psychologists through the Counselling and Treatment Service. Assessments include a mental health component and active referrals are made to Mental Health ACT and the Comorbidity Program at Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Services. |
| Alexander Maconochie Centre: | Provides services weekly to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the Hume Health Centre at the Alexander Maconochie Centre. Alcohol and other drug assessments, case management and support are provided to people in the Alexander Maconochie Centre, and post release. Support can also be provided to families and carers of prisoners. |
| Bimberi Youth Justice Centre: | Alcohol and other drug assessments, case management and support are provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in Bimberi, and post release as required. Support can also be provided to families and carers of young people in Bimberi. |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander: | This is an Indigenous specific position. Provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness training to Alcohol and Drug Program staff as required. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific information and referrals are provided. The Alcohol and Drug Program has a memorandum of understanding with Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Services regarding clients accessing opioid treatment services. |
| Culturally and Linguistically Diverse: | Culturally and linguistically diverse resources and referrals are provided. Access to interpreter services can be provided. Spanish and Italian is spoken by some Alcohol and Drug Program Staff. |
| Cost: | Free |
| Staff: | Indigenous staff member. |
| Families / Carers: | Families and carers can attend assessment or case management appointments for support. Information and referrals for families and carers to other alcohol and other drug services or support groups are also provided. |
Comorbidity Officer, Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP)
Provides consultation, liaison and clinical work for people experiencing comorbid alcohol and other drug and mental health issues.
| Phone: | (02) 6244 2591 |
| Fax: | (02) 6244 4622 |
| Mailing Address: | GPO Box 825, Canberra City, ACT 2601 |
| Website: | www.health.act.gov.au |
| Location: | Building 7, The Canberra Hospital, Palmer Street, Garran |
| Parent Organisation: | Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP), ACT Health |
| Opening Hours: | 8.30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday |
| Treatment Approach: | Harm Minimisation |
| Access Criteria: | |
| Target Group: | Females and males experiencing both alcohol and other drug and mental health issues. |
| Area serviced: | ACT |
| Income required: | No |
| Disability Access: | Yes, access ramps, lifts and disabled toilets |
| 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 |
| Couples: | Yes; however, they would be treated as individuals. |
| How to Access / Referrals: | |
| Contact: | By phone, 9am – 5pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. |
| Referral: | Self and worker referral. |
| Waiting List: | No waiting list. |
| Intake & Assessment: | Assessment completed following referral. |
| Program/s: | Provides comorbidity specific information, resources, secondary consultations, training, clinical planning, assessments, liaison, advocacy and referrals. Works closely with the Comorbidity Officer position in Mental Health ACT and provides sector and organisational development. Outreach is provided to the Althea Wellness Centre at DIRECTIONS ACT and the Alcohol and Drug Foundation ACT. |
| Comorbidity: | Program designed specifically for and delivered to people experiencing comorbid alcohol and other drug and mental health issues. In services and support can be provided to ACT Health and external services. |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander: | Provides referrals to the Alcohol and Drug Program Aboriginal Liaison Officer for case management and support accessing alcohol and other drug services. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific resources and referrals are provided. Staff are required to undertake Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness training through the Aboriginal Liaison Officer and ACT Health Staff Development Unit. The Alcohol and Drug Program has a memorandum of understanding with Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Services regarding clients accessing opioid treatment services. |
| Culturally and Linguistically Diverse: | Culturally and linguistically diverse resources and referrals are provided. Access to interpreter services can be provided. Spanish and Italian is spoken by some Alcohol and Drug Program Staff. |
| Cost: | Free |
| Staff: | Social Worker |
| Families / Carers: | Families and carers can access information and referrals to other services. |
Consultation Liaison Service, Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP)
Provides support, information and referrals for people in the ACT’s acute hospitals who are experiencing alcohol and other drug dependencies.
| Phone: | (02) 6244 2591 |
| Fax: | (02) 6244 4622 |
| Mailing Address: | GPO Box 825, Canberra City, ACT 2601 |
| Website: | www.health.act.gov.au |
| Location: | Building 7, Canberra Hospital, Palmer Street, Garran |
| Parent Organisation: | Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP), ACT Health |
| Opening Hours: | 8.30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday |
| Treatment Approach: | Harm Minimisation |
| Access Criteria: | |
| Target Group: | Females and males admitted to the Canberra Hospital, including pregnant women. |
| Area serviced: | Services are provided to all areas of the The Canberra Hospital and phone advice can be given to Calvary Hospital. People from interstate can also be seen whilst in ACT hospitals. |
| Income required: | No |
| Disability Access: | Yes, access ramps, lifts and disabled toilets |
| Detox required before accessing program: | No |
| Documentation required: | No |
| Medication: | People accessing the service can be on prescription medications, including pharmacotherapies. The service will liaise with the Alcohol and Drug Program Medical Officers to ensure people in The Canberra Hospital are receiving the correct dose. |
| Parents with accompanying children: | Yes |
| Couples: | Yes; however, they would be treated as individuals. |
| How to Access / Referrals: | |
| Contact: | By phone, 8.30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday. |
| Referral: | Referrals are accepted from staff of The Canberra Hospital, the Alcohol and Drug Program Intake Line, Withdrawal Unit, Opioid Replacement Program and other services. If the person needs to be seen by the Alcohol Drug Program Medical Officer, a request for consult should be written in the clients notes in the hospital. |
| Waiting List: | No waiting list. People are generally seen on the day of referral. |
| Intake & Assessment: | An assessment is completed after a referral is made. Workers will see the client on the ward for assessment. |
| Program/s: | Provides support, information and referrals for people in the ACT’s acute hospitals who are experiencing alcohol and other drug dependencies. Referrals are provided to the IMPACT Program, self help groups and relapse prevention groups. |
| Comorbidity: | Provides comorbidity and mental health specific information and referrals. Facilitates access to the Alcohol and Drug Program Comorbidity Officer, Psychiatric Registrar and Psychologists through the Counselling and Treatment Service. Assessments include a mental health component and active referrals are made to Mental Health ACT and other mental health services. |
| Alexander Maconochie Centre: | Provides services every Friday to the Hume Health Centre at the Alexander Maconochie Centre to assist with the coordination of pharmacotherapy dosing arrangements for prisoners post release. Support can be provided to families and carers of prisoners through the Stepping Stones Course. |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander: | Provides referrals to the Alcohol and Drug Program Aboriginal Liaison Officer for case management and support accessing alcohol and other drug services. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific resources and referrals are provided. Staff are required to undertake Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness training through the Aboriginal Liaison Officer and ACT Health Staff Development Unit. The Alcohol and Drug Program has a memorandum of understanding with Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Services regarding clients accessing opioid treatment services. |
| Culturally and Linguistically Diverse: | Culturally and linguistically diverse resources and referrals are provided. Access to interpreter services can be provided. Spanish and Italian is spoken by some Alcohol and Drug Program Staff. |
| Cost: | Free |
| Staff: | Registered Nurses and Social Workers. |
| Families / Carers: | Families and carers can access information and referrals to other services. |
Counselling and Treatment Service, Alcohol and Drug Program
Provides counselling and care coordination including a range of therapeutic and educational groups to individuals, families and carers.
| Phone: | (02) 6207 9977 |
| Fax: | (02) 6205 0951 |
| Mailing Address: | GPO Box 825, Canberra City, ACT 2601 |
| Website: | www.health.act.gov.au |
| Location: | ACT Health Building, Level 1, 1 Moore St, Canberra City |
| Parent Organisation: | Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP), ACT Health |
| Opening Hours: | 9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday |
| Treatment Approach: | Harm Minimisation |
| Access Criteria: | |
| Target Group: | Females and males over 18 years of age inclusively. People under 18 years of age can be assessed for suitability and may be referred to youth services. |
| Area serviced: | ACT residents given priority; however, referrals are accepted from interstate. |
| Income required: | No |
| Disability Access: | Yes, access ramps, lifts and disabled toilets |
| 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 |
| Couples: | Yes; however, they would be treated as individuals. |
| How to Access / Referrals: | |
| Contact: | By phone, 8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. |
| Referral: | Self or worker referral. |
| Waiting List: | No waiting list. People are seen within 2 – 14 days. |
| Intake & Assessment: | Through the 24 hour Intake Line. An appointment for a face to face assessment will be scheduled. To access the groups, contact the Intake Line 9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday for inclusion on the list for upcoming groups. |
| Program/s: | Provides counselling and care coordination including the following range of therapeutic and educational groups to individuals, families and carers: Relapse Prevention Program: 2 hour program over 5 weeks for adults with alcohol and other drug issues, who wish to develop and maintain healthier lifestyles. Controlling Your Drinking: 4 hour program over 2 weeks designed to help people assess their alcohol use and possible barriers that prevent them from reducing their use. Effective Weed Control: 2 hour group run over 5 weeks for cannabis users wanting information or who want to change their cannabis use. Mindfulness, Mediation & Stress Management Group: 5 week group program designed for individuals with, or caring for someone with and alcohol and other drug issues who want to learn: meditation and other mindfulness techniques; how to identify and let go of unhelpful thoughts, feelings, sensations and urges; and how to better manage stress and uncomfortable emotions. Stepping Stones to Success (a Family Drug Support course): A structured and experiential for families who are supporting drug dependant family members. Topics covered include coping with stress and anger, tips about communication and limit setting all in order to maximise health, so that families have the resources to maximise the help getting to the substance user. |
| Comorbidity: | Provides comorbidity and mental health specific information and referrals. Counsellors are trained in trauma counselling, acceptance and commitment therapy, narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic approach and dialectical behaviour therapy. Facilitates access to the Alcohol and Drug Program Comorbidity Officer, Psychiatric Registrar and Psychologists. Assessments include a mental health component and active referrals are made to Mental Health ACT and other mental health services. |
| Alexander Maconochie Centre: | Provides counselling as required to people in the Alexander Maconochie Centre to ensure continuity of treatment. Referrals to counselling and groups are accepted from Community Based Corrections as part of a prisoners parole conditions. |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander: | Provides referrals to the Alcohol and Drug Program Aboriginal Liaison Officer for case management and support accessing alcohol and other drug services. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific resources and referrals are provided. Staff are required to undertake Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness training through the Aboriginal Liaison Officer and ACT Health Staff Development Unit. The Alcohol and Drug Program has a memorandum of understanding with Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Services regarding clients accessing opioid treatment services. |
| Culturally and Linguistically Diverse: | Culturally and linguistically diverse resources and referrals are provided. Access to interpreter services can be provided. Spanish and Italian is spoken by some Alcohol and Drug Program Staff. |
| Cost: | Free |
| Staff: | Counsellors, Nurses, Psychologists and Social Workers. |
| Families / Carers: | Families and carers can access the Stepping Stones course and referrals to other services are provided. |
Diversion Service, Alcohol and Drug Program
Provides programs that aim to divert people apprehended for drug use or drug related offences from the judicial system into the health system.
| Phone: | (02) 6207 9977 |
| Fax: | (02) 6205 8380 |
| Mailing Address: | GPO Box 825, Canberra City, ACT 2601 |
| Email: | diversionservice@act.gov.au |
| Website: | www.health.act.gov.au |
| Location: | ACT Health Building, Level 1, 1 Moore St, Canberra City |
| Parent Organisation: | Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP), ACT Health |
| Opening Hours: | 8.30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday |
| Treatment Approach: | Harm Minimisation |
| Access Criteria: | |
| Target Group: | Females and males who have been apprehended or charged with an alcohol and other drug related offence. This includes an office within the Children’s Court for offenders 12-18 years of age. |
| Area serviced: | For people apprehended on offences within the ACT |
| Income required: | No |
| Disability Access: | Yes, access ramps, lifts and disabled toilets |
| Detox required before accessing program: | No |
| Documentation required: | No |
| Medication: | People accessing the service can be on prescription medications, including pharmacotherapies. |
| How to Access / Referrals: | |
| Contact: | By phone to make an appointment, 8.30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday. |
| Referral: | Referrals are only accepted from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) or by Court Order (Magistrate’s Court, Children's Court or Supreme Court). People can request a referral from the Magistrate or Justice at Court hearing. An appointment for assessment is scheduled and referral to treatment made at this time. Case management and support can be accessed by phone, appointment or drop-in during the course of the legal matter. |
| Waiting List: | No waiting list. |
| Intake & Assessment: | Available from 8.30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday. Assessment is conducted on referral by the AFP or Courts. Process varies. While AFP and Courts can make a referral to Diversion Services, assessment and case management can only proceed with the consent of the client. |
| Program/s: | Provides programs that aim to divert people apprehended for drug use or drug related offences from the judicial system into the health system. Police Early Diversion (PED): For people who have been apprehended by the AFP for possession of a small amount of illicit drugs (2 cannabis plants or amount less than 25 grams; 25% of trafficable amount of all other illicit drugs). The AFP can divert offenders following arrest for assessment and referral to treatment. Treatment is provided by an approved ACT agency and can include education, counselling, withdrawal, pharmacotherapy or residential rehabilitation. Compliance with treatment is determined by the Diversion Service staff, and if compliant, a report is made to the AFP and no conviction is recorded. Non-compliance is reported back to the AFP, and the AFP determines what action should be taken (if any), but can result in a charge proceeding to court. Court Alcohol and Drug Assessment Service (CADAS): A pre-sentencing treatment option for people charged with alcohol and other drug related offences. The goals are to reduce recidivism during the bail period and to engage the client in treatment. It is therefore designed as an immediate short-term intervention when a person first appears before the Court. The CADAS staff are located at the Magistrate and Children's Court, and provide an immediate alcohol and other drug assessment and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. If the person is released on bail to comply with the treatment plan the CADAS clinician monitors attendance, and reports all outcomes to the Court. Non-compliance does not necessarily result in a penalty but is taken into account by the Magistrate or Justice at sentencing. Treatment Referral Program (TRP): A sentencing option for people who have either committed a crime to get drugs, or money for drugs, or while under the influence of drugs. It currently applies only to those drugs which appear in Schedule 4 of the Drugs of Dependence Act (1989) [ie. not alcohol]. The Magistrate or Judge may, as part of the sentence imposed, instruct a person to undergo a treatment order rather than receive a custodial sentence or as an option to reduce their custodial time. The treatment is overseen by a Treatment Assessment Panel, and conducted by an approved treatment agency. The treatment can be for a period of 6 months up to 2 years. People who fail to complete their treatment order, may revert to a custodial sentence. |
| Comorbidity: | Provides comorbidity and mental health specific information and referrals. Facilitates access to the Alcohol and Drug Program Comorbidity Officer, Psychiatric Registrar and Psychologists through the Counselling and Treatment Service. Assessments include a mental health component and active referrals are made to Mental Health ACT and other mental health services. |
| Alexander Maconochie Centre: | Attends the Alexander Maconochie Centre to complete assessments requested by Courts and for case management in relation to treatment plans. Works with Community Based Corrections to supervise alcohol and other drug treatment plans of shared clients on Court Orders. Treatment Orders can be ordered as sentence, part sentence or deferred sentence options. Support and referrals can also be provided to families and carers in relation to a client’s treatment plan. |
| Bimberi Youth Justice Centre: | Attends Bimberi to complete assessments requested by Courts and for case management in relation to treatment plans. Works with Community Youth Justice to supervise alcohol and other drug treatment plans of shared clients on Court Orders. Treatment Orders can be ordered as sentence, part sentence or deferred sentence options. Support and referrals can also be provided to families and carers in relation to a client’s treatment plan. |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander: | Provides referrals to the Alcohol and Drug Program Aboriginal Liaison Officer for case management and support accessing alcohol and other drug services. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific resources and referrals are provided. Staff are required to undertake Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness training through the Aboriginal Liaison Officer and ACT Health Staff Development Unit. The Alcohol and Drug Program has a memorandum of understanding with Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Services regarding clients accessing opioid treatment services. |
| Culturally and Linguistically Diverse: | Culturally and linguistically diverse resources and referrals are provided. Access to interpreter services can be provided. Spanish and Italian is spoken by some Alcohol and Drug Program Staff. |
| Cost: | Free |
| Staff: | Alcohol and Other Drug Workers, Nurses, Social Workers and Psychologists |
| Families / Carers: | Families and carers can access information and referrals to other services. |
Integrated Multi-agencies for Parents and Children Together (IMPACT) Program, Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP)
Provides support to people who are receiving opioid replacement therapy who are pregnant or have a child under the age of 2 years.
| Phone: | (02) 6244 2591 or 1 800 211 274 (toll free) |
| Fax: | (02) 6244 4622 |
| Mailing Address: | GPO Box 825, Canberra City, ACT 2601 |
| Website: | www.health.act.gov.au |
| Location: | Building 7, Canberra Hospital, Palmer Street, Garran |
| Parent Organisation: | Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP), ACT Health |
| Opening Hours: | 8.30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday |
| Treatment Approach: | Harm Minimisation |
| Access Criteria: | |
| Target Group: | Females and males who are a clients of Mental Health ACT or are receiving opioid replacement therapy who are pregnant or have a child under the age of 2 years. |
| Area serviced: | ACT |
| Income required: | No |
| Disability Access: | Yes, access ramps, lifts and disabled toilets |
| Detox required before accessing program: | No |
| Documentation required: | No |
| Medication: | The program is specifically designed for people on pharmacotherapies. |
| Parents with accompanying children: | Yes, for children under 2 years of age. |
| Couples: | Yes |
| How to Access / Referrals: | |
| Contact: | By phone, 8.30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday |
| Referral: | Self or worker referral. A referral form is to be faxed to the IMPACT Coordinators. People can contact the toll free number to discuss referrals with the Coordinator. |
| Waiting List: | No waiting list. |
| Intake & Assessment: | Available from 8.30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday. The person is contacted over the phone once a referral is received and a time is made to visit them at home to sign consent to participate in the program. |
| Program/s: | A multi-agency team provides support to identify needs and brings together professional and services that will work to support the family. The program is a partnership between ACT Health, The Department of Housing and Community Services (DHCS), general practice and community pharmacies. |
| Comorbidity: | Provides comorbidity and mental health specific information and referrals. Facilitates access to the Alcohol and Drug Program Comorbidity Officer, Psychiatric Registrar and Psychologists through the Counselling and Treatment Service. Assessments include a mental health component and active referrals are made to Mental Health ACT and other mental health services. |
| Alexander Maconochie Centre: | Support can be provided to people in the Alexander Maconochie Centre who meet the access criteria for the IMPACT Program. Support can also be provided to families and carers of prisoners if it is required as part of the treatment plan. |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander: | Provides referrals to the Alcohol and Drug Program Aboriginal Liaison Officer for case management and support accessing alcohol and other drug services. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific resources and referrals are provided. Staff are required to undertake Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness training through the Aboriginal Liaison Officer and ACT Health Staff Development Unit. The Alcohol and Drug Program has a memorandum of understanding with Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Services regarding clients accessing opioid treatment services. |
| Culturally and Linguistically Diverse: | Culturally and linguistically diverse resources and referrals are provided. Access to interpreter services can be provided. Spanish and Italian is spoken by some Alcohol and Drug Program Staff. |
| Cost: | Free |
| Staff: | Registered Nurse and Social Worker |
| Families / Carers: | Families and carers can access information and referrals to other services. |
Opioid Treatment Service, Alcohol and Drug Program
Provides prescriptions and dosing of pharmacotherapies for people seeking to manage opioid use; and coordinated care by working with other health and pharmacotherapy services.
| Phone: | (02) 6207 9977 |
| Fax: | (02) 6244 4622 |
| Mailing Address: | GPO Box 825, Canberra City, ACT 2601 |
| Website: | www.health.act.gov.au |
| Location: | Wruwallin Clinic, Building 7, Canberra Hospital, Palmer Street, Garran |
| Parent Organisation: | Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP), ACT Health |
| Opening Hours: | 8.30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday |
| Treatment Approach: | Harm Minimisation |
| Access Criteria: | |
| Target Group: | Females and males over 18 years of age who have an opioid dependency and are suitable for pharmacotherapies. People under 18 years of age may be considered after consultation with Medical Officers. |
| Area serviced: | ACT only. |
| Income required: | No |
| Disability Access: | Yes, access ramps, lifts and disabled toilets |
| Detox required before accessing program: | No |
| Documentation required: | No |
| Medication: | Yes; however, a consultation with an Alcohol and Drug Program Medical Officer is required prior to commencement on pharmacotherapies. |
| Couples: | Yes |
| How to Access / Referrals: | |
| Contact: | By phone for appointment from 8:30am – 5pm, Monday - Friday. |
| Referral: | Self or worker referral. |
| Waiting List: | No waiting list. |
| Intake & Assessment: | Through the 24 Hour Intake Line. People will be placed on a waiting list for assessment by an Alcohol and Drug Program Medical Officer to determine if they are suitable for treatment. This involves taking a history and conducting a physical examination. If suitable, an induction process will be started, usually the day of the medical assessment. |
| Program/s: | Provides prescriptions and dosing of pharmacotherapies for people seeking to manage opioid use. Case management is also provided and people continue to be reviewed by a Medical Officer while on pharmacotherapies. Prescriptions are reviewed every 3 months. Provides coordinated care by working with other health and pharmacotherapy services. |
| Comorbidity: | Provides comorbidity and mental health specific information and referrals. Facilitates access to the Alcohol and Drug Program Comorbidity Officer, Psychiatric Registrar and Psychologists through the Counselling and Treatment Service. Assessments include a mental health component and active referrals are made to Mental Health ACT and other mental health services. |
| Alexander Maconochie Centre: | Provides assistance to people in, and post release from, the Alexander Maconochie Centre to ensure the continuity of care, including case management provided to Opioid Treatment Service clients. |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander: | Provides referrals to the Alcohol and Drug Program Aboriginal Liaison Officer for case management and support accessing alcohol and other drug services. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific resources and referrals are provided. Staff are required to undertake Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness training through the Aboriginal Liaison Officer and ACT Health Staff Development Unit. The Alcohol and Drug Program has a memorandum of understanding with Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Services regarding clients accessing opioid treatment services. |
| Culturally and Linguistically Diverse: | Culturally and linguistically diverse resources and referrals are provided. Access to interpreter services can be provided. Spanish and Italian is spoken by some Alcohol and Drug Program Staff. |
| Cost: | Cost varies. Free for first 6 months then to a maximum of $30 per week. |
| Staff: | Medical Officers, Nurses, Pharmacists and Social Workers. |
| Families / Carers: | Family and carers can be provided with alcohol and other drug information and referrals. |
Withdrawal Unit, Alcohol and Drug Program
Provides up to 7 days of medicated residential (inpatient) or non-residential (outpatient) support for people experiencing withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs.
| Phone: | (02) 6207 9977 |
| Fax: | (02) 6244 2744 |
| Mailing Address: | GPO Box 825, Canberra City, ACT 2601 |
| Website: | www.health.act.gov.au |
| Location: | Building 7, Canberra Hospital, Palmer Street, Garran |
| Parent Organisation: | Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP), ACT Health |
| Opening Hours: | 24 hours. |
| Treatment Approach: | Harm minimisation; however, people need to be abstinent while in the program. |
| Access Criteria: | |
| Target Group: | Females and males over 18 years of age inclusively. People under 18 years of age can be assessed for suitability and may be referred to youth services. |
| Area serviced: | ACT residents given priority; however, referrals are accepted from interstate. |
| Income required: | No |
| Disability Access: | Yes, access ramps, lifts, disabled toilets, and a “steady” walking frame |
| Detox required before accessing program: | No |
| Documentation required: | No |
| Medication: | Yes; however, a consultation with an Alcohol and Drug Program Medical Officer is required prior to admission. |
| Parents with accompanying children: | No. Phone contact while in unit facilitated to maintain contact with children. |
| Couples: | No. People will be admitted as individuals. |
| How to Access / Referrals: | |
| Contact: | By phone, 24 hours. |
| Referral: | Self or worker referral. Referrals are accepted for people on court orders, but cannot specify an admission date. |
| Waiting List: | Varies from 0 – 3 weeks. |
| Intake & Assessment: | Intake to service is made through the 24 hour Intake Line and the request for admission is referred to a Triage Nurse within the Unit. If they are unable to speak with the Triage Nurse at time of intake, a follow up call will be made by the Unit within 24 hours. Admission to the Unit is prioritised on medical need. A nursing and medical assessment will be completed on admission. Belongings are searched on admission. No mobile phones are permitted and will be locked securely until discharge. |
| Program/s: | Provides up to 7 days of medicated residential (inpatient) or non-residential (outpatient) support for people experiencing withdrawal. Therapeutic support, education, referrals, follow-up specialist services and counselling are available. |
| Comorbidity: | Provides comorbidity and mental health specific information and referrals. Facilitates access to the Alcohol and Drug Program Comorbidity Officer, Psychiatric Registrar and Psychologists through the Counselling and Treatment Service. Assessments include a mental health component and active referrals are made to Mental Health ACT and other mental health services. |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander: | Provides referrals to the Alcohol and Drug Program Aboriginal Liaison Officer for case management and support accessing alcohol and other drug services. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific resources and referrals are provided. Staff are required to undertake Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness training through the Aboriginal Liaison Officer and ACT Health Staff Development Unit. The Alcohol and Drug Program has a memorandum of understanding with Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Services regarding clients accessing opioid treatment services. |
| Culturally and Linguistically Diverse: | Culturally and linguistically diverse resources and referrals are provided. Access to interpreter services can be provided. Spanish and Italian is spoken by some Alcohol and Drug Program Staff. |
| Cost: | Free |
| Staff: | Medical Officers, Nurses, Psychologists and Social Workers. |
| Families / Carers: | Family and carers can be provided with alcohol and other drug information and referrals. |