2017-18 Annual Report including 2019 Calendar Crookwell ingello outreach Marulan community Pathways Murrumbidgee Griffith, NSW Young location Gunning Yass Pathways Goulburn of office & Temora Collector Goulburn, NSW services Leeton Cootamundra Arcadia House Tarago Narrandera Bruce, ACT Civic NSP Coolamon Phillip NSP Canberra City, ACT Phillip, ACT Braidwood Pathways Murrumbidgee Wagga Wagga, NSW Head Office Woden, ACT Tumut Batemans Bay Pathways Eurobodalla Moruya, NSW Narooma Pathways Monaro Cooma, NSW Jindabyne Berridale Pathways Bega Valley Bega, NSW Bombala Merimbula Eden January TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 Jan New Years Day (public holiday) / 26 Jan Australia Day (public holiday) Our Organisation Directions Health Services has provided specialist evident in our calendar photos, which represent Acknowledgement alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment and a variety of symbolic pathways that are reflective Directions Health Services acknowledges support programs for individuals and family of the diverse environments in which we work, in the traditional custodians of the lands upon members impacted by AOD use for over forty the ACT and New South Wales. which we serve, their ancestors and elders years. Over this time, our programs have evolved We work with individuals, their families and both past and present, and other represented to reflect the latest social and scientific research friends, the sector and wider community Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations. and have been adapted to suit the diverse to offer a comprehensive range of flexible We are committed to actions that promote communities in which we operate and their and complementary programs that include changing needs. Our mission is to instil hope reconciliation and a positive future for all community based Treatment and Support without judgment and to work in partnership to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services in the ACT, Murrumbidgee, Goulburn, maximise health and wellbeing. communities. Eurobodalla and Monaro regions, and have just We have a solid reputation for being client centred established a similar service in the Bega Valley. Valuing Diversity and working within a harm reduction approach. We also operate the ACT’s Needle and Syringe Directions values the Our logo is symbolic of our understanding that Program (NSP); Arcadia House withdrawal, contribution that diverse people are at different stages in terms of making residential rehabilitation and day programs; cultures, identities and choices and changes, and we are happy to work and the Canberra region’s only specialist AOD lifestyles make to our region, collaboratively with them, regardless of the stage primary health clinic, Althea Wellness Centre. enhancing the richness of they are at in the change process. Directions has an ongoing commitment to our society. Our positioning statement ‘Pathways to providing high quality services for individuals and Recovery’ does not mean that abstinence is family members impacted by alcohol, tobacco the goal; or that there is only one pathway to and other drug use. We have been very pleased recovery. Rather, we recognise that people to work with our primary funders – ACT Health, determine for themselves their goals and NSW Health and Capital Health, Murrumbidgee priorities, and the pathway that best suits them and Coordinare Primary Health Networks – to achieve these goals. We strive to support our to develop new and innovative models of care clients and their families along their journey, that are underpinned by evidence and best and understand that as their needs change, so practice guidelines, to better meet the needs of will their goals and priorities. This theme is also our communities. Level 6, Cosmopolitian Centre Woden Square, ACT 2606 / 02 6132 4800 [email protected] / directionshealth.com February FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 13 Feb Anniversary of Apology / 20 Feb World Day of Social Justice President’s Report unknown and potentially dangerous substances, potential for misuse, however it is not currently and advocate for a drug checking trial at the accessible or affordable over the counter for many ACT Needle Syringe Program primary outlet. of the people who are at risk of overdose and We applaud the ACT Government’s efforts to death. This could be done immediately with very provide leadership in this area and urge them to minimal investment. continue to reduce potential harms by sponsoring innovative measures that can inform individuals We also know that we can substantially improve on the content of substances they are considering health outcomes by taking services to where consuming and educate them on the risks they vulnerable populations live, and are excited may be taking. at the prospect of expanding our work in this Directions Health Services President Frank Quinlan The Board is currently considering how the legal area in the coming year. We will continue to framework can best support a health first approach advocate for integrated and effective evidence for people impacted by substance use. We need based treatment, particularly for people with This has been an important and challenging year to work out better ways to reduce the stigma co-occurring mental illness, drug and alcohol for the Directions Health Services Board. experienced by people who are dependent on use and complex needs, as it is clear the current Together we have sought to actively challenge our alcohol or other drugs, encourage help seeking and fragmented approach is not serving them well. thinking and to question conventional wisdom. provide more timely treatment and support, and We have sought to arrive at positions that are reduce the devastating impact substance use and I commend the leadership of our CEO, Bronwyn supported by the best available evidence and by interaction with the legal system can have on the Hendry, and thank her and her dedicated staff the experience and wisdom of experts in the field, lives of disadvantaged individuals and their families. team for their tireless efforts in a relentlessly including those experts who have been using our There seems broad agreement in the community challenging environment. services. We have listened to our staff who are that the current approach is not working, and doing Over the next twelve months we look forward to providing services on the ground; and our clients more of the same will not be enough. and families through the Directions Community working with our CEO and staff, key stakeholders Whilst we as a community continue to debate and service partners to provide high quality, Advisory Group to whom I offer our deep which legal framework will promote the best compassionate and non-judgmental specialist appreciation and thanks. outcomes, we have identified at least one very alcohol and other drug services to the communities After extensive consideration of the local and simple effective action that governments can take international evidence, the Board resolved to to save lives. Making Naloxone freely available in which we work. We will continue to advocate for support the carefully controlled introduction of to people who are at risk of overdose, and to a fairer, more responsive service system and legal pill testing at festivals and other venues where people likely to witness an overdose, would save framework that can maximise the health, well- young people are likely to be considering taking lives. Naloxone is a life saving measure that has no being and safety of all community members. 02 6132 4800 / [email protected] / directionshealth.com March FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 8 Mar International Women’s Day / 14 Mar Canberra Day (public holiday) / 15 Mar National Close the Gap Day / 21 Mar Harmony Day / 31 Mar International Drug Checking Day CEO’s Report thank our Community Advisory Group members This year we have worked to increase our for sharing their wisdom - assisting us to media presence across each of the regions in continually improve the services we provide and which we work. We have used our profile to plan for the future. We are really looking forward advocate for increased support and investment to working with them again next year, and to in AOD services as well as highlighting issues expanding our regional representation. and influencing decision-making. In recent months, we have spoken out on issues ranging Demand for our community-based services from pill testing through to the release of data continues to be very strong in the ACT and proving AOD services make a real difference in NSW. This year we have focused on expanding people’s lives. We are strongly advocating for our outreach services so we can better meet increased access to Naloxone, particularly for the needs of vulnerable populations and the Directions Health Services CEO Bronwyn Hendry our NSP clients and family members at risk of dispersed communities within our surrounding experiencing or witnessing an overdose. regions. This included delivering integrated 2017/18 has been another very positive year for primary health and AOD treatment and support Over the coming year, we will continue to Directions.