Alcohol and Other Drugs Resource Tool Kit

Leading stronger and connected communities AOD Resource Tool Kit

Thank you to the following organisations who are members of the LDAT for their contribution to the resource.

Thank you also to the organisations who participated in the consultations: Alcohol and Drug Foundation Assyrian Resource Centre Australian Mesopotamian Cultural Association Chaldean Catholic Church CORE Community Services Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC) Fairfield/Liverpool Youth Health Service (FLYHT) Great Lakes Agency for Peace and Development International Guildford Arabic Baptist Church Hayat House Kurdish Youth Society NSW Police Force Odyssey House South Western Sydney Local Health District Drug Health Services Syriac Catholic Church Ted Noffs Foundation The Corner Youth Health Youth Off The Streets

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User Guide BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE PROJECT This project focuses on building the capacity, knowledge and confidence of the Fairfield LGA community and religious leaders to work towards preventing alcohol and other drugs related harm.

This tool kit may assist in breaking down barriers associated with judgement and stigma. It might also assist community members to have evidenced based conversations about alcohol and other drugs in their communities.

According to the 2016 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census, the Fairfield LGA has one of the highest level of new migrants in New South Wales. This community has been identified as the target for this project and the resource tool helps to challenge attitudes, beliefs and stigma associated with alcohol and other drugs (AOD). Furthermore, it will provide information on referral pathways and resources.

CONSULTATION PROCESS AND MAIN FINDINGS

WHO IS ON THE FAIRFIELD LOCAL DRUG ACTION TEAM?

This resource tool kit has been developed through consultation with a diverse group of stakeholders. The information used to develop the resource tool kit was gathered through a stakeholder forum conducted in June 2019; anonymous surveys; regular FLDAT meetings; interviews with the CALD community and staff within Fairfield City Council; and consultations with an alcohol and other drugs expert and local men’s and women’s groups .

The resounding theme to emerge from the consultations and interviews the prevalence of stigma and judgment around the use of alcohol and other drugs.

The Fairfield Local Drug Action Team (FLDAT) was established through the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, to develop and deliver a resource for the CALD community. Fairfield LGA stakeholders include: Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Community Drug Action Team, Community & Religious leaders, Community First Step, Fairfield City Council, Fairfield Community Corrections, Family Drug Support, Fairfield City Police Area Command , Sydney Local Health District and South Western Sydney Local Health District.

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WHO CAN USE THE RESOURCE TOOL KIT? • Community leaders • Community Sector workers

1. A user guide

Reminder!

Do not provide professional advice. Refer to resource directory.

3. A glossary with commonly used terms and definitions

This guide provides background information on the project and the different components within the tool kit.

A glossary is attached to this kit with information about alcohol, drugs and their effects

2. A set of cards with an illustration, message and discussion points

4. A relevant directory of resources & services available within the Fairfield LGA

The cards will assist in raising awareness around the negative impacts of alcohol and other drugs by being a ‘conversation starter’. There is also some general information about the impacts of alcohol and other drugs, it’s primarily intended to open up a dialogue within the CALD community about the possible presence of alcohol and other drug problems. Each card has discussion points of issues that might arise from the illustrations.

The cards will provide some general discussion points which might prompt further questions. The directory will provide information on the relevant service providers and other referral pathways.

ALWAYS REMEMBER! • Keep things confidential • Do not provide professional advice • If someone needs advice, provide them with the referral information that is included in this tool kit.

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Themes & Discussion points Shame When people are made to feel inadequate and unlovable, they start to have feelings of shame. If someone is feeling shame, they may be dishonest about their behaviour and act in a way that may be out of the ordinary.

Stigma Stigma can be a mark of dishonour that stays with a person long after they have moved on or overcome an undesirable event or time in their life.

Stigma has been known to worsen stress and highlight difference. This way of thinking can also cause people to delay seeking help and support.

Judgement When you form an opinion by discriminating and comparing yourself to another.

When you force your personal beliefs and perceptions about a person or a situation, onto another. ………………………………………………………................................................

What can you do to support?

• Think about what you would like to say before you respond, because using negative language may worsen feelings of shame and judgement.

• Use positive language and try not to blame the person for their situation.

Use ‘i’ statements. Eg – ‘I feel upset when you get angry.’ NOT ‘You make me angry.’

• Show unconditional support as this sometimes helps people feel included and more open to asking for help.

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Themes & Discussion points Denial This can happen when one is afraid to accept or believe something might be happening. Some people may not acknowledge that their loved one might have a problem, even if they have been told otherwise. …………………………………………….......................................................…….

How can you support?

• Try to listen!

• Sometimes people find it difficult to acknowledge they have a problem. We can continue to be supportive by showing that we care and that we are here for them.

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Themes & Discussion points Open communication What can you do to encourage open communication?

• Listen without interrupting • Try not to judge when someone is talking to you • Speak calmly • Try to be positive and open minded • Be understanding • Always be respectful • Be patient 8

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Themes & Discussion points Language & labelling Do use

Don’t use

Positive and encouraging language and show people that we care and are here to support them. For example: • ‘the person who is using’ • ‘person with a dependence on...’

• ‘person who has stopped using drugs’

Junkie, druggie, drug user, drug abuser, addict, clean

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Themes & Discussion points Information At times you will be asked a question that you may not know the answer for.

You can provide people with: The directory – For information about service providers, services and online resources.

The glossary – For more information about particular drugs or definitions of terms you may not be familiar with.

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Themes & Discussion points Education The information provided gives one a brief overview of some of the impacts of alcohol and drugs on our bodies.

It is important to note that this information is general and is not professional advice.

DO encourage conversations and discussions about the themes raised in this resource tool kit Provide information about resources that are included in this resource kit

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Stimulants (uppers)

The term upper is another name for amphetamine-based drugs. They increase wakefullness and can cause people to be on high alert.

Amphetamines

Cocaine

A manmade drug affecting the central nervous system speeding up messages going from the brain to the body. It is also known as “speed”.

Commonly seen in the form of a white fragrance-free powder. The powder is obtained from the leaves of the coca bush.

Ecstasy Ecstasy is a street term for a range of drugs that similar in structure to the man-made stimulant MDMA methylenedioxymethamphetamine).

CRACK A form of cocaine, crack is in the form of crystals that range in colour from white or cream to transparent with a pink or yellow hue. Crack may contain impurities.

Ice Street name for crystal methamphetamine. It is a powerful, synthetic stimulant drug that is more potent than other forms of amphetamines. It has a higher purity than the powder form of methamphetamine (“speed”)

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Hallucinogen A drug or chemical that changes perception and may affect all senses or cause hallucinations.

LSD Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a psychedelic drug, which is synthesised from ergot, a fungus.

Sometimes it’s a liquid, capsule, or solution dried onto blotting paper.

Magic mushrooms Fungi that contain psychedelic substances, such as the hallucinogen psilocybin. Some numbness in the facial area and a higher heart rate and blood pressure.

Tobacco Tobacco Any preparation of the dried leaves of Nicotiana tabacum or Nicotiana rustica.

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Depressants (Downers) A drug that lowers one’s neurotransmission. It can depress the stimulation in our brains.

Marijuana The dried greenish-brown leaves or flowers of the plant Cannabis sativa. The most common form of cannabis. Smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes (joints) or in a pipe (a bong). When taken at high doses, it can have mood-altering properties.

Bong (Used with Marijuana/Cannabis) A type of water pipe used for smoking marijuana / cannabis

Heroin This drug is derived from the opium poppy and is a depressant. It can affect the brain by slowing down the activity of the central nervous system and messages going to and from the brain.

Opioid Alcohol

These substances have the capacity to relieve pain and produce a sense of well-being (euphoria). Heroin, methadone, codeine, morphine and opium are opioids.

A liquid depressant drug that slows down activity in the central nervous system.

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TERMINOLOGY Dependency Medical term to describe a condition where someone does not stop engaging in a behaviour regardless of suffering negative consequences.

Drug Any substance, solid, liquid or gas taken to alter the functioning of the body and/or mind.

Overdose

Withdrawal

A toxic/lethal amount of a drug, higher than their body can cope with.

To stop or decrease heavy drug use. There are usually symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and insomnia.

Binge

Binge drinking

An episode of intense (concentrated) drug use over a short period of time or continuously over a number of days or weeks, usually with the intent of becoming intoxicated.

Excessive consumption of alcohol over a short period of time with the intended effect of becoming intoxicated.

The australian Alcohol Guidelines The National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommend: That healthy men & women have – no more than 10 standard drinks per week, and no more than 4 drinks on any one day.

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Directory You can find a lot of information about alcohol and other drugs through these two services:

For all emergencies Dial triple 0 for Fire, Ambulance and Police

Interpreter services

Your room Website:

Health Language Services (HLS) Multilingual and sign interpreter service Phone: 8738 6088 Email: Interpreters.bookings@ sswahs.nsw.gov.au

(24 hours a day)

Alcohol and drug info service (ADIS) This is a 24-hour support line providing information and support relating to alcohol and other drugs issues.

Phone: 1800 422 599

Translating Interpreter Service (TIS) Phone: 131450

(24 hours a day)

www.yourroom.health. nsw.gov.au

Support and referral services

General information

South West Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) Drug Health Central Intake Phone: 02 9616 8586 This service provides information, education and referrals. The four main areas are: 1. Conducting drug and alcohol assessments 2. Providing opioid treatment programs (Bankstown, Campbelltown, Liverpool) 3. Providing drugs and alcohol counselling 4. Providing hospital-based drugs and alcohol treatments - (0408 602 243)

Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) Phone: 1300 858 584 – Drug Info Line Website: www.adf.org.au Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC) This service assists in increasing the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community access to alcohol and other drugs services.

Phone: 02 8706 0150 Website: www.damec.org.au

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Stimulant treatment line This is a 24-hour confidential service offering information, education and counselling around stimulant use.

Phone: 1800 101 188

Online resources: www.fds.org.au/supportmeetingonline www.fds.org.au/steppingforwardonline Al-Anon Family Groups Website: www.al-anon.org.au Phone: 1300 252 666

(24 hours a day)

Opioid Treatment Line This service is available between 9.30am to 5pm and provides confidential information and treatment over the phone about opioid.

Phone: 1800 642 428

Counselling

Alcoholics Anonymous Australia (AAA) An anonymous service for people to share their experiences about their current and/or past struggles with alcoholism.

Phone: 1300 222 222

Sometimes issues with drugs and alcohol can affect our mental health and wellbeing. You can contact these services if you want to talk it through with someone.

Youth

Beyond Blue Website: www.beyondblue.org.au Phone: 1300 224 636

(24 hours a day)

South West Sydney Local Health District Youth Drugs and Alcohol Service (DAYS) This service provides and assessment and referral service for young people who use substances and their families.

Phone: 0436 814 995

Monday to Friday

(excl PH) 8am to 4:30pm

Lifeline Website: Phone:

www.lifeline.org.au 131114 (24 hours a day)

Rehabilitation

Fairfield/Liverpool Youth Health Service (FLYHT) This service provides youth casework, counselling and needle and syringe programs.

Phone: 02 9796 8633 (intake number)

These services provide structured rehabilitation programs for those with severe alcohol and other drug dependencies.

Odyssey House Community Services South West Sydney Phone: 1800 397 739

Family

Grow – West Hoxton Phone: 02 9606 0579

These services provide information and support to the family of a drug user.

Family Drug Support Australia (FDS) Website: www.fds.org.au Phone: 1300 368 186

(24 hours a day) 17

Card 1 Shame and stigma can make a person feel lonely.

They may lie and hide their behaviour because they feel judged.

Card 2 Treat someone with an alcohol and other drug problem fairly, the way you want to be treated.

Use kind and caring words and have a non-judgemental attitude.

Card 3 Sometimes a person who is using alcohol and other drugs does not want to talk about it due to a fear of being judged. They can feel alone.

Card 4 Family and friends may not talk about alcohol and drug use for fear of being judged and feeling ashamed.

Card 5 Sometimes people do not want to believe there is alcohol and other drug use in their family.

Card 6 Try to have open and honest communication.

Card 7 Words can be harmful and have the power to hurt someone or make them feel ashamed.

Card 8 When speaking to someone, remember they are someone’s son, daughter, mother, father, brother or sister. We all need help sometimes.

Card 9 Alcohol and other drugs can be harmful regardless of whether they are legal or illegal.

Card 10 In Australia, alcohol causes more harm than other drugs to our community.

Card 11 How does alcohol effect our bodies and our minds?

Card 12 Many people’s alcohol and drug use may NOT be harmful or become dependent.

It’s never too late to ask for help.

Card 13 Important reminders!