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People who experience drug dependence and/or have lived experience of drug dependence in the ACT experience stigma, discrimination and ongoing impacts of criminalisation. This leads to a wide range of social and health inequities and requires an integrated approach in providing appropriate harm reduction services. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, the ongoing impacts of colonisation compound these health inequities. Therefore, the Indigenous community in the ACT need holistic and culturally sensitive harm reduction and health services that empower community members.
CHN, ACT’s PHN, commissioned Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy (CAHMA) to deliver The Connection, a peer-based drug and alcohol service, run by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Connection focuses on the specific needs of members of the Indigenous community in the ACT. The Connection aims to improve the health literacy of our service users and to empower people to take agency of their health and wellbeing through the provision of culturally secure peer treatment support and case management services.
The Connection runs group workshops for Indigenous clients that focus on consultation with local community and helping to address identified needs. The Connection runs across all programs of CAHMA ensuring local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access culturally safe and secure services within CAHMA and the health care sector. The Connection workers have accompanied clients to Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Centre, both to support and advocate for them at medical appointments and to assist them to attend the Wellbeing Group.
Over the last year, The Connection provided culturally appropriate and sensitive services to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT, with 100% of service users providing positive endorsement of the program. Over the last year, The Connection delivered a total of 147 completed episodes of treatment with 125 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. 109 identified as being of Aboriginal heritage, two clients identified as being of Torres Strait Islander heritage; 12 clients identified as both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
In addition, ACT Corrections continues to provide a weekly in-reach service which allows for Indigenous clients to fulfil their reporting or probational requirements in a safe and welcoming environment. This service aims to reduce the number of Indigenous Australians in custody in the ACT, and to address the risks of criminal recidivism. The Connection welcomes the opportunity to provide wraparound services for clients of ACT Corrections’ in-reach service.
Testimonial
In 2023, Indigenous Case Workers from ACT Corrections performed a weekly in-reach service to reduce incidents of Aboriginal incarceration and recidivism in the ACT. It was held at CAHMA and The Connection all day Friday, to provide a more welcoming environment for Indigenous clients of ACT Corrections, than what was offered at their Civic office.
To combat limited space, CAHMA secured additional office space in the same building, but away from the drop-in centre. This freed up space in the drop-in centre and improved the scope for in-reach services. The Connection service users have been pleased and CAHMA and The Connection workers have made use of 2 new break out rooms where they can have private conversations with clients in a welcoming and comforting environment.