Capital Health Network

CHN, ACT’s PHN commissioned Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy (CAHMA) to deliver two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific programs, “Peer Treatment Support Service” and “The Connection”.

Peer Treatment Support Service

The Peer Treatment Support Service (PTSS) provides person-centred case management services and peer support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who use alcohol and other drugs and supports them to access other drug treatment services in the ACT. The program uses Aboriginal workers and volunteers who deliver culturally sensitive services which build trust and rapport with the client. It has a core focus on assisting service users accomplish their goals by promoting good health using a non-judgmental approach focused on harm minimisation.

The Connection

The Connection is a low threshold non-judgemental service for indigenous people who use drugs and who are seeking to engage with ACT drug treatment services, based on the principles of harm reduction and empowering people to take control of their health and wellbeing in order to improve the quality of their lives. The program is delivered by a small team of peer-based AOD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers, as well as several mainstream staff.

The real-life community impact and value of The Connection has been recognised recently with Eva-Lee Williams, one of The Connection’s identified positions, receiving the ACT NAIDOC Community Sector Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Worker of the Year Award for 2021.
Many years ago, Eva-Lee started as a client of The Connection. She has since progressed through her own journey of empowerment and is now employed to develop and deliver The Connection case management and peer education outreach programs. As an Aboriginal woman with lived experience of many of the issues that confront her clients, Eva-Lee uses her lived experience to build strong rapport with clients who come to CAHMA seeking assistance and this rapport has enabled Eva-Lee to help many other community members to gain control over their health and wellbeing.

Since 2018, Eva-Lee has worked at The Connection as an Aboriginal Support Worker. Recently, Eva-Lee has been the driving force in the development of the Mura Gadi peer education group program. The group program is a monthly workshop that educates and informs Aboriginal clients about reducing the harms associated with drug use. The success of the Mura Gadi group can be gauged by the high demand for places at the workshops and the positive feedback received.

Artwork by The Connection staff and clients.