Ideas for action, from donation, to volunteering, to how to help a friend in need.
Submitted
10/11/2005
By
zkliko
Views
8942
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0
Updated
13/04/2006
What’s involved?
*Find out more information about illicit drugs and affects on users.*
Phone numbers within Australia that you can call for more information:
*NSW Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
(02) 9361 8000 or 1800 422 599 in rural and regional NSW.
*Directline (Victoria-based)
(03) 9416 1818 or 1800 888 236
*SA ADIS
(08) 83638618 (interstate) or 1300 131340 (within SA)
*WA ADIS
(08) 9442 5000 or 1800 198 024
*QLD ADIS
(07) 3236 2414 or 1800 177 833
*TAS ADIS
(03) 6222 7511 or 1800 811 994
*NT Aminty House
(08) 8981 8030 or 1800 629 683
*ACT ADIS
(02) 6207 9977
*If you are worried about a family member or friend’s drug use, talk to them about it.*
*Letting the person you are worried about their use of illicit drugs is important, however it is also important to discuss it in a way that does not criticise or judge your friend or family member.
*Express concern, be open and listen. Keep communication channels open by expressing concern for the young person in a non-confrontational or non-judgemental way. A person will be more likely to talk to you if they know you will be supportive. Let the person know that you care about them and you are worried. Use a caring and supportive tone of voice and avoid using threatening language. For example, use language like 'I feel that …' rather than 'You …'.
*Be patient and focus on what you can do for the person rather than what you have done. Talk about safer drug use. While you may prefer the person to stop using completely, it is the person’s decision. If they are still using drugs give the person information about safer use.
*Encourage the person to seek help. Remember, support is available for both the person and yourself. Information, advice, counselling, referrals to treatments and other forms of assistance are available from various organisations.
*A couple of great organisations as a starting point include*:
*Australian Drug Foundation: http://www.adf.org.au
*Centre for Youth Drug Studies: http://www.cyds.adf.org.au/
*Ted Noffs Foundation: http://www.noffs.org.au/
*You could help an organisation* which provides information support and services to users of illicit drugs, as well as their family and friends.
*Volunteering* can be as simple as collecting information about illicit drug use and ask for them to be distributed at your school or at you local community centre.
*You could simply donate money* to an organisation to help improve their services that help users of illicit drugs.
Donating a small amount of money is a very simple way to help. Organisations that you could possibly donate to are:
*Kids Help Line: http://www.kidshelp.com.au
Kids Help Line is a 24 hour, free and confidential telephone counselling service for 5 to 18 year olds in Australia.
*Youth Off The Street: http://www.youthoffthestreets.com.au/
Youth Off the Streets is a registered charity working with chronically homeless and drug addicted young people.
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