Resources and links

Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) eNews

AOD eNews is a quarterly e-newsletter produced by Central and Eastern Sydney PHN, focusing on recent sector updates, stories and service provider information relevant to our region. It is sent to community members, organisations and health professionals across the CESPHN region.

To subscribe to the AOD eNews, please send through your request to: aodnewsletters@cesphn.com.au

General AOD Resources

Australian Drug Foundation (ADF)
Ask Izzy is an anonymous online search platform with over 360 000 services; including housing, meals, healthcare, counselling, legal advice and addiction supports.
Cracks in the Ice is an online toolkit providing information and resources about crystal methamphetamine (Ice) for the community and for health professionals
Community Drug Action Teams NSW – find out what’s happening in NSW near you by contacting your local Community Drug Action Team (CDAT), which is led by a regional Senior Community Development Officer who will help with your questions. You can locate your local CDAT here
Language Guides:
– NUAA and NADA’s Language Matters guide
– Mental Health Coodinating Council’s (MHCC) Recovery Oriented Language Quick Reference Guide.
Network of alcohol and other drugs agencies (NADA) – peak body for the non-government alcohol and other drugs sector in NSW
NADA’s Webinar Series Alcohol and Other Drugs 101 – brush up on your AOD basics with this foundational webinar series on the range of substances used by people in the community. Approached from a harm reduction perspective, each webinar will refresh your knowledge and/or give you new information about emerging drugs.
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) – provides a range of resources to support treatment and other interventions responding to alcohol and other drug related harm, including a resources section for AOD workers
Overdose Lifesavers – this website aims to support people affected by opioid overdose and those thinking about using Take Home Naloxone; it includes information on overdose and what can be done about it.
Resources for Pharmacists in Opioid Treatment – includes a resource pack for pharmacists involved in the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP), providing them support to deliver a high quality and safe program.
A list of Take Home Naloxone registered pharmacies in NSW
Turn to Help – provides information and resources about opioid addiction, treatment and where to find support for individuals, families, friends and carers. The website also includes an online portal for Healthcare Professionals to access clinical resources.
Your Room – provides resources and up to date information about drugs and alcohol
Recognition of Lived Experience Statement

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resources

WellMob: Social, emotional and cultural wellbeing resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Australian Indigenous Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre
Handbook for Aboriginal Alcohol and Drug Work and Alcohol Awareness Kit (The University of Sydney)
Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Network – a Network for Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol workers from across NSW
Aboriginal Inclusion Tool (NADA)
Alcohol and other drugs treatment guidelines for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – in a non-Aboriginal setting (NADA). This resource has been developed to support non-Aboriginal service providers in the AOD sector working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. The Guidelines are intended to support services to establish better relationships and linkages with Aboriginal organisations and in Aboriginal communities. The Guidelines also provide practical guides and resources to support workers and organisations to improve their service delivery when working with Aboriginal service users. This project has also been evaluated by UNSW National Drug and Alcohol Research Council (NDARC). You can read the full evaluation report or a two page summary of the report.

People of diverse gender and sexuality

National LGBTI Health Alliance Knoweldge Hub
Pivot Point (ACON) – an AOD self-assessment and resource for LGBTIQ persons
TransHub (ACON)
ACON’s Language Guide: Trans and Gender Diverse Inclusion (ACON)
The Rainbow Tick guide to LGBTI-inclusive practice (GLHV)
Trans and Gender Diverse Language Guide (ACON)
LGBTIQ Inclusive Guidelines for AOD Treatment Providers (ACON)
‘Asking the question: Recommended gender and sexuality indicators’ (NADA e-learning module)
QGuides (QLife) – these guides are for health professionals working with LGBTIQ people; they describe and discuss a range of common and often complex topics. QLife provides Australia-wide anonymous, LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies feelings or relationships.
Evaluation of ACON’s Substance Support Service: Supporting best practice for sexual and gender minority AOD clients. University of New South Wales (UNSW). Funded by NSW Health.

Multicultural resources

NADA’s Working with diversity in Alcohol & Other Drug settings resource

Working with Families

Tool for Change: Family and Carer’s Toolkit (NADA)
Working with family resources (NADA)
Engaging with families and significant others in the AOD sector (NADA)
Family Drug Support
Breathing Space – a free, online therapeutic program that supports people who have a loved one using alcohol and other drugs.

People exiting custody

Community Restorative Centre (CRC) provides a range of services to people involved in the criminal justice system and their families. CRC is the lead provider of specialist throughcare, post-release, and reintegration programs for people transitioning from prison into the community in NSW. All CRC programs aim to reduce crime and break entrenched cycles of disadvantage, offending and imprisonment.

CRC developed community resources for people exiting custody:

Mental Health – (1.38 MB)

Intellectual Disability – (1.38 MB)

Homelessness – (1.47 MB)

Food & Clothing – (1.39 MB)

Domestic Violence – (1.38 MB)

Court – (1.38 MB)

Centrelink – (1.41 MB)

Alcohol and Other Drugs – (1.47 MB)

Disability – (1.38 MB)

CRC have developed a lanuage guide related to people who may have had contact with the criminal justice system. Download the

CRC Language Guide – (311.09 KB)

Young People

Positive Choices – provides up to date, evidence-based information for students, parents, teachers and community
Climate Schools – offers health and wellbeing courses to students
Supporting young people with drug and alcohol issues (NADA)
Animated series: Respect Your Brain (Your Room) – explores how alcohol, cannabis and MDMA affect a developing brain.

Co-occurring mental health and alcohol and other drug issues

Please visit our dedicated co-occuring mental health and alcohol and other drugs webpage for up to date information, resources and training.

Tobacco and smoking

Visit the NSW health website for a range of practical tools designed to assist health professionals in providing evidence-based management for nicotine dependence and smoking cessation.

Peer Work

Gambling Support

Local services offering gambling support – collated by the Gambling Treatment and Research Clinic at University of Sydney
GambleAware – offers information, resources and support for individuals, their family, friends and carers as well as health professionals. GambleAware counsellors are available over the phone. For 24/7 and free, confidential advice and support, call GambleAware on 1800 858 858.