About AODCCC

Our aim is to empower the voices of consumers, their families and supports, ensuring the health and wellbeing of our community. 

About AODCCC

Beyond Stigma

We aim to create a safe space for diverse views to be shared, along with taking courageous steps towards what is needed in the community, which in this case, is to look beyond stigma.

Beyond Stigma

Systemic Advocacy

Systemic Advocacy

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Reports

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Resources

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Events

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Evidence-based strategies

While there may be clear evidence-based strategies available, there are often limitations to accessing these due to opposing ideological positions within Governments and the community at large. Harm Reduction strategies are a good example of this. For instance, it is known that Drug Testing Programs and Safe Injecting Facilities can and do reduce harms and save lives (1, 2), and we know that Cannabis Law Reform can provide alternative solutions and could shift the focus of illicit drug use to a health challenge, rather than a justice issue (3). There are many examples of evidence not being acted upon.

The AODCCC advocates for more emphasis to be placed on evidence-based strategies. We need to draw on and utilise the expertise and progress made in other parts of Australia and the world, and have the courage to move forward on these options. We acknowledge that collaboration and consensus is key to achieving this, and we respect that communities hold a variety of views, but let’s always give time to look to the evidence, have the difficult conversations and be courageous to act accordingly.

Evidence-based strategies

While there may be clear evidence-based strategies available, there are often limitations to accessing these due to opposing ideological positions within Governments and the community at large. Harm Reduction strategies are a good example of this. For instance, it is known that Drug Testing Programs and Safe Injecting Facilities can and do reduce harms and save lives (1, 2), and we know that Cannabis Law Reform can provide alternative solutions and could shift the focus of illicit drug use to a health challenge, rather than a justice issue (3). There are many examples of evidence not being acted upon.

The AODCCC advocates for more emphasis to be placed on evidence-based strategies. We need to draw on and utilise the expertise and progress made in other parts of Australia and the world, and have the courage to move forward on these options. We acknowledge that collaboration and consensus is key to achieving this, and we respect that communities hold a variety of views, but let’s always give time to look to the evidence, have the difficult conversations and be courageous to act accordingly.

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Broad consultation and engagement within communities.

Engaging those with a direct lived and living experience of alcohol and other drug use is an opportunity to not only inform real solutions gained through experience, but also provide individuals and their families with a sense of empowerment when seeking to address these complex issues. Through engagement, we can foster respect and instill a sense of purpose and human connection, all while working towards a collective goal.

Lived Experience representation in the workforce.

The AODCCC promotes and advocates for the following points in relation to lived experience representation in the workforce:

    1. Participation of alcohol and other drug workers, service users and consumers (including family members), in all sector and systems planning and relevant policy development.
    2. The use of non-stigmatising and qualified terminology in policy, planning and resource development, that is identified by participants as the most relevant and appropriate. Such as, alcohol and other drug “consumers”, “family members”, “service users”, “peers”, “people with lived experience”, or “people with relevant personal experience”.
    3. Recognition that it is a person’s choice whether they self-identify as to their relevant personal experience with alcohol and other drugs. This includes:
      • How they are represented as systems advocates.
      • Having the ability to negotiate their job-titles when employed as a “Peer”.
    4. Prioritising the personal safety of workers and systems advocates who identify as having relevant personal alcohol and other drug experience. We are supportive of effective initiatives that contribute to personal and professional development, which enhances their safety and the safety of service users. We recognise the value that people with alcohol and other drug relevant personal experience have brought and continue to bring, to the alcohol and other drug sector workforce, and their capacity to balance lived and learnt experience.
    5. Promoting options and choices for service users to engage with staff members with relevant personal experience.
    6. Promoting strategies that enable career pathways for people with relevant personal experience into sector employment.
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