Alcohol and other drugs (AOD) use is a major cause of preventable disease, illness and death in Australia. As we head into the festive season, there are a range of services which are available to patients and community members struggling with various addictions.
As the Western Sydney Primary Health Network, WentWest has been tasked by the Department of Health and Aged Care to increase support to those struggling across the Western Sydney region.
AOD Support Services
In 2021-22, alcohol was the most common drug of concern for which people received treatment (42% of episodes), likely due to easy accessibility and legal consumption[1]. In addition, other drugs such as cannabis, heroin and methamphetamine have continued to circulate within our community. To address the contribution of AOD to the burden of disease in Western Sydney, we have within our community.
Odyssey House helps people of all ages and backgrounds break their dependency on alcohol and other drugs. The approach is client-focussed with a tailored program of individual counselling and groups. Odyssey House community service is located in Blacktown and also has dedicated multicultural programs which deliver specialised Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) AOD services in Western Sydney.
headfyrst, a project run by Salvation Army Youthlink and headspace youth mental health centres, supports those in the 12-25 age bracket with combined mental health and AOD services. headfyrst offers a safe, confidential, and young person-centred program that encourages open communication between young people and their clinician. headfyrst is currently available in Castle Hill, Parramatta and Mount Druitt.
Youth Off The Streets (YOTS) delivers the Dunlea AOD service – a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program for young people aged 13-19 years and their families. We commissioned this service to provide evidence-based interventions to help young people and their families work towards addiction-free future. Health professionals can refer to this service via the ‘Need Help now?’ button, which is also available on their website.
First Nations Support
In 2021-22, Indigenous Australians aged 10 and over accounted for 18% of clients receiving support for alcohol and other drugs[2]. There are several co-created First Nations commissioned services who are working to make a tangible difference in people’s lives to move towards a life that is drug and addiction free.
Addiction is often triggered by grief and loss, with end of year events often reminding people of their losses and struggles.
Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation is located in Emerton and assists clients by offering culturally appropriate support and a welcoming environment for individuals and families to heal.
Marrin Weejali provides a culturally appropriate AOD treatment and management model which supports First Nations people with families experiencing the harmful effects of alcohol and illicit substances to achieve physical, social and emotional wellbeing.
AOD Resources for GPs
More information about AOD services and programs that we support is available on our Alcohol and other Drugs webpage
HealthPathways Western Sydney provide localised, clinical information for health professionals in Western Sydney and includes a range of resources, pathways and referrals relating to mental health and AOD services.
If you require assistance in logging in, please contact our HealthPathways team at healthpathways@wentwest.com.au
30 November 2023
[1] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023), Alcohol, Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in Australia. Accessed by: https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/afe92917-c873-4098-bf97-15ef260ab90b/phe221-factsheets-alcohol-01112023_1.pdf
[2] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) people, Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in Australia. Accessed by: https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/aa1b8369-5b3a-415c-a268-4fd5db68aaa7/phe221-factsheets-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-first-nations-people-01112023.pdf