EDAS - Projects
ProjectsFamily ProgramThe Family Support Programme provides a flexible service to families and carers where substance abuse is impacting on others. Our counsellors are able to offer a broad range of support including:
The aim of the programme is to help families learn to help themselves by improving communication, conflict resolution, problem solving and the important aspects of self-care. For further information please click on publications to view our leaflet. Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) InitiativeThe Victorian Department of Human Services (DHS) developed a strategic plan to improve ABI clients' access to health & welfare services in 2000, in consultation with the ABI/A&D Working Party. One of the service initiatives arising from this plan was to have a specialist AOD/ABI resource worker in each region of the state, a service EDAS provides in the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne. The AOD/ABI Clinician provides secondary consultation, referral, support for clients and carers, information provision, and therapy. The service can be accessed on 1300 650 705.
Cautious with Cannabis is a general information session developed for both cannabis users, and friends and families of cannabis users, originally developed by Moreland Hall in Melbourne. The Eastern Drug and Alcohol Service provides this 2-hour information session on the last Wednesday of each month, at 953 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, from 5.30 - 7.30pm. Bookings essential. To register, call 1300 650 705. The Community Strengthening Initiative of the Victorian State Government provides funding for projects that encourages people to become involved in their local community, aiming to enhance relationships and feelings of belonging, while reducing risks of problematic substance use within the community. Current activities in the Ashburton and Ashwood area include: For more information on any of these projects, contact Seena, Jessica or Gareth at the Inner East Community Health Service on (03) 9818-6703. EDAS and Inner East Community Health Service run a Body Image and Substance Use psycho-educational group called FABULOUS GIRLS. This 4-week psycho-educational group is for young women aged between 15-18, who are experiencing both Body Image and Substance Use concerns. Currently, the program is delivered to young woman attending secondary schools in the Cities of Boroondara and Whitehorse. The group is faciliated by Psychologists and AOD Clinicians from the Boroondara Community Health Centre. For further information, contact either Rachael Saade on 9810 3079 or Meagan Phelan on 9810 3078. In conjunction with the City of Monash and the Youth Substance Abuse Service, EDAS assisted with community development issues around street-based drug use in the Clayton area. EDAS participated in community consultation, and responded to the community's request for drug & alcohol education sessions, including traders, local residents and professional health workers. This project has culminated with the appointment of a street-based youth outreach worker, provided through the Department of Human Services "Hot Spots" funding. The aim of this program was to facilitate ongoing parent groups; establish parent peer education projects; inform parents about illicit drug use; enhance parent skills and strategies in dealing with illicit drug use; establish ongoing young people peer education; inform young people about illicit drug use; enhance young people's skills and strategies in dealing with illicit drug use and explore potential areas of intersection and knowledge sharing between parents and young people. The manual can be downloaded from the Publications section if you are interested in running similar programs in your local area. The Pharmacological Prescribing Service currently operates at the Inner East Community Health Service and Eastern Access Community Health. The service is staffed by GPs with expertise in treating alcohol and other drug related health problems, including the prescription and monitoring of methadone and buprenorphine. Situated within the broader community health service, clients are able to receive more comprehensive health care with access to drug and alcohol counselling with EDAS staff, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, natural therapies, and a range of other services. Contact EDAS at the Inner East Community Health Service on (03) 9818 6703 or Eastern Access Community Health on (03) 9871 1800. The Reducing Risk (Double R) program provides school students identified as using substances with the opportunity to address their issues within the school system. The Double R program aims to create an environment that fosters open and frank discussion about the risks inherent in substance use and misuse, and provides up-to-date, factual information. The program runs once a week for four weeks during class time. Smokebusters is a supportive intervention developed for a small group of students who can't get through the school day without a cigarette. The program looks at the health impacts of smoking tobacco, and helps students to develop skills and strategies to meet their goals in cutting down or quitting tobacco. If your school is in the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne, contact EDAS and ask the duty worker for their local EDAS team. |