WentWest Commissioning and Marcomms teams visiting the Youth Off the Streets (YOTS) AOD program for young people
Did you know we commission nine AOD services in Western Sydney? Commissioning services that help our community achieve drug addiction-free lives is a priority area for WentWest. Our programs assist a range of priority groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, older people, youth, people experiencing homelessness, and those engaged with the justice system.
Rising AOD Figures in Australia
Last financial year, 2,234 clients in Western Sydney accessed AOD transition and enhanced commissioned services. Despite this uptake of local services, cocaine use is at its highest in almost two decades, 43% of Australians aged 14 and over have used illicit drugs in their lifetime[1], and one in five people have reported increased alcohol use during COVID-19[2]. Recent findings from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre have seen a significant shift in the types of illicit drugs used by regular drug users. In 2021, 80% of study participants reported using methamphetamines in the past six months, increasing 72% in 2020[3]. However, the frequency of usage is of more concern, rising from a median of 48 days in 2020 to 72 days in 2021. Of the 774 people studied, cocaine use increased from 68% in 2020 to 80% in 2021.
Local AOD Services
Local, accessible support is essential in ensuring that clients connect to culturally and age-appropriate services. Many clients have faced challenges accessing AOD services during lockdown or had to switch to remote video or phone treatment. Now is the time to help patients reengage with AOD services and reach out for help.
WentWest currently commissions the following AOD services in Western Sydney:
The Youth Transition Program delivered by Youth Off the Streets is a rehabilitation program that aims to reduce AOD harm for individuals aged 13-19 and their families. The program provides individual counselling, group work, treatment plans, case management, living skills development and recreational activities.
headfyrst YouthLink run by the Salvation Army via headspace supports young people aged 12-25 access AOD and mental health services. The program reduces barriers faced by young people and existing service gaps by offering safe, confidential, person-centred care.
Pathways Home – Youth Program run by the Community Restorative Centre (CRC), is a youth support service for young people aged 10-24 who have been involved with the criminal justice system and need support for AOD use.
The Prison Transition Program run by the Community Restorative Centre (CRC), provides support for people within the prison system with a cycle of problematic drug use, crime, homelessness, and incarceration.
The Enhanced Rehabilitation Capacity program run by Ted Noffs provides individual and family counselling, workshops and mentoring to support patients in their recovery journey and to re-engage with their community.
The Transition Program at Odyssey House provides counselling and group programs for priority populations, including families with children, people leaving prison, people with mental illness, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and people identifying as LGBTIQA+.
The Enhanced Rehabilitation service at Odyssey House offers a tailored program of individual counselling and group support for those affected by the complexities of AOD dependence.
The Residential Rehabilitation program run by We Help Ourselves (WHOs), is a therapeutic program and case-coordination service for those who are AOD dependant and have co-occurring severe and complex mental conditions.
Spotlight: Youth Off The Streets – Supporting Western Sydney’s Young People
Youth Off The Streets’ Dunlea program is an alcohol and other drugs (AOD) rehabilitation service that provides young people with counselling, casework, life skills and group activities to help them understand the root causes of their AOD dependencies and find healthier ways to cope.
Kellie Lucas has worked as an AOD Counsellor for Youth Off The Streets for over two years and has worked with young people for seven years. Having trained in psychology and as a social worker, Kellie recognises the rewards of working with young people and helping them to get their lives back on track.
“Young people are open to change and possibilities. The work we do with them is hard because they make positive gains and then often have to go home to challenges. It’s all about helping them understand that their past doesn’t define where they’re going”.
Kellie, along with her team, supports 13–19-year-olds over the course of three to six months. They encourage young people to talk about what they are experiencing and set some personal goals, helping them see that they deserve a better, AOD-free future.
Along with counselling and casework, the team also provides family mediation and ensures that each young person feels heard.
The team supports between 14–20 clients at a time, with varying levels of engagement.
“They’re all just seeking belonging and to feel like someone cares. The most important thing is to be genuine with them and help them build a plan for longer-term support.”
Kellie provides an initial assessment to each young person before working through the background causes of their AOD use, including any previous trauma. From there, she helps them connect with other providers to make sure that they have ongoing support.
A big believer in working collectively as a network to help young people have the best chance at a brighter future, Kellie says, “I never let go of their hand until someone else is holding the other one.”
To find out more about Youth Off The Streets’ services, visit their website: youthoffthestreets.com.au/
[1] AIHW (2019) 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/alcohol/alcohol-tobacco-other-drugs-australia/contents/priority-populations/older-people#alcoholconsumption
[2] Biddle N, Edwards B, Gray M & Sollis K (2020), Alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 period, May 2020, ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods: Canberra, cited in: AIHW, Alcohol and other drug use during COVID-19
[3] Sutherland, R et al (2021), Australian Drug Trends 2021: Key Findings from the National Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) Interviews, Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney
Annual Needs Survey
Understanding the needs of our health professionals helps us provide appropriate resources and training for primary health care workers, and raise awareness of quality services for our community. To take part in this year’s Needs Survey, head to: