Check out our new Amphetamine Type Stimulants page and download our
Skating on Thin Ice - Amphetamine Type Stimulants booklet
Skating on thin Ice
This booklet has been produced to inform young people who have taken or may be thinking about taking Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) of the risks involved. In producing this booklet, we widely researched the subject. Much of the information came from an invaluable source of information; people who have used these substances and experienced the highs and the lows involved with ATS use.
Every weekend, Australia wide, thousands of young people attend house parties, night clubs, gigs, raves/doofs and a number of other entertainment venues. For some, this means taking drugs and becoming involved in a range of risky behaviours which include:
Taking risks while intoxicated can be stimulating and fun. However, it is important to keep in mind that you could be easily putting yourself and others at risk. This booklet will help people understand ATS, the risks and the findings from people who have used them.
To view position descriptions and selection criteria, click here
We are seeking applications for the following positions:
There are currently no vacant positions
We are seeking expressions of interest for the following position:
General Practitioner - 6 Month Initial Contract
Althea Wellness Centre
GP Clinic – Primary Health Care
Althea Wellness Centre has a GP who is available for sessions in the afternoons Monday through Thursday. The Althea Wellness Centre is available to all people with alcohol and other drug issues, DIRECTIONS ACT clients and their families. A Triage Nurse will assist you and take details prior to your appointment with the General Practitioner.
The GP clinic bulk bills people through Medicare with Healthcare cards and charges a small fee for those who do not have these cards in addition to the Medicare Fee. Please ensure that you bring your Medicare card with you, particularly if you will be having tests, such as liver function tests.
Secondary Health Care
The clinic works in a partnership approach with other agencies and organisations to deliver excellence in health and allied health services, so that people are treated with respect and dignity while accessing health services.
To view the Althea page, click here
Ring for Bookings (essential): 6122 8080
Maysoon
Maysoon is an Arabic word meaning ‘women walking proudly’. The program is fully funded through Health Promotion Grants and is offered by DIRECTIONS ACT for women, with young children, who are using alcohol and other drugs or who are in recovery. Pregnant women or women who have children with Care and Protection orders are very welcome.
To view the Maysoon page, click here
To view the Maysoon Brochure,
click here
To view the Event Calendar, click here
Ring: 6122 8000 and ask for Ineke
Mobile NSP
Please note: The Mobile NSP trial has ended
To view the Needle and Syringe Program page, click here
Party Safe
The Party Safe Project will aim to limit the risk behaviours associated with the intake of alcohol which include:
The Party Safe Project provides the following services, resources and initiatives to young people:
DIRECTIONS ACT is proud to be in partnership with St John Ambulance ACT who will provide Senior First Aid Training to 160 young people in Canberra. This workplace recognised first aid course will contain a party safe module and specifically address the issues that young people may come across. It will certainly raise awareness for safety and offer skills which potentially may save lives. The two day course runs on weekends 8:30am to 5pm.
Party Safe First Aid course dates 2010:
You can register via any of the following:
To view the Party Safe Page, click here
To view the Event Calendar, click here
To view all DIRECTIONS ACT Programs, click here
For more info, call Ineke on6122 8000
COMPASS Support Group for Families
The COMPASS Support Group offers families a supportive environment to discuss issues and learn strategies to manage alcohol and other drug issues.
The facilitators are experienced counsellors at DIRECTIONS ACT and COMPASS meets fortnightly 6pm – 8pm at the Woden Office.
COMPASS aims to help family members navigate through this difficult period, providing information, support and resources, assisting people to manage self care and wellbeing.
To view the Event Calendar, click here
To view the COMPASS Support page, click here
Ring: 6122 8000 ask for Bek or Barry
SMART Recovery
Smart Recovery is a program that assists people recover from their addiction regardless of the type of addiction.
This free program runs for 90 minutes and is based on four main areas:
To view the SMART Recovery page, click here
To view the Event Calendar, click here
For more information ring: 6122 8000
To view all our Support Groups, click here
Other information
Direct News - Our Quarterly Newsletter
Click here to view our
Direct News - Newsletters
On Thursday 12 March, at 9.30am, The Althea Wellness Centre was officially launched by ACT Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Health, Ms Katy Gallagher.
Click here to view the media release
Click here to view the opening speech made by Carol Mead, Executive Director, DIRECTIONS ACT
The Althea Wellness Centre meets the needs of people affected by drugs and alcohol, or their immediate family, to access good health care. At DIRECTIONS ACT we believe that good health care is a fundamental human right and people should be able to access health care in an environment of respect and confidentiality.
Friends and guests are invited to celebrate this culmination of 2 years work with us at 9.30am and share cake and coffee afterwards. A tour of DIRECTIONS ACT is also on offer.
The Althea Wellness Centre is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing under the ATS funding and the NGO TGP funding. We thank them for their ongoing support of the centre and its programs.
Funded by the National Binge Drinking Initiative
DIRECTIONS ACT is proud to announce the funding of $243,000 for the Party Safe Project through a national initiative to deal with the burgeoning binge drinking issue – especially youth binge drinking for people aged 15 – 26. DIRECTIONS ACT is the only community organisation in the ACT to have received the funding, however round two of the funding will be announced shortly.
The launch to announce the funding was held at DIRECTIONS ACT on Tuesday 25th November with Senator Bob McMullan and Jan McLucas speaking regarding this national issue.
Media Releases:
Speeches:
The Party Safe Project will aim to limit the risk behaviours associated with the intake of alcohol which include:
The Party Safe Project will provided the following services, resources and initiatives to young people:
DIRECTIONS ACT is proud to be in partnership with St John Ambulance ACT who will provide Senior First Aid Training to 160 young people in Canberra. This workplace recognised first aid course will contain a party safe module and specifically address the issues that young people may come across. It will certainly raise awareness for safety and offer skills which potentially may save lives.
A photo gallery of the Party Safe Funding Announcement is available here
The Annual Report for the 2007/2008 year in now available for download
here
All Annual Reports are available
here
Our Television Commercial has been placed on Prime Canberra's Community Service Announcement list and will be scheduled periodically and across relevant time zones.
View our Television Commercial Here
DIRECTIONS ACT would like to thank PRIME Television for its support

The Mobile NSP is a white Tarago van with a picture of DRIX on the side. It distributes information and free injecting equipment, which includes specialised equipment such as wheel filters and butterflies. The service will start on Tuesday 23 September 2008 at the locations and times listed below:
For detailed maps click Here
The Mobile NSP Van![]() |
The DIRECTIONS ACT Mascot "DRIX" |
The Spring 2008 edition of our newsletter is now available to download with articles on:
Download our Spring Newsletter
here
Maysoon is an Arabic word meaning ‘woman walking proudly’. The program is fully funded through Health Promotion Grants and is offered by DIRECTIONSACT for women, with young children, who are using alcohol and other drugs or who are in recovery. Pregnant women or women who have children with Care and Protection orders are very welcome.
This brochure contains information on the Maysoon program including:
Download the Maysoon brochure
here
Smart Recovery is a program that assists people recover from their addiction regardless of the type of addiction.
This free program runs for 90 minutes and is based on four main areas:
The main emphasis of the program is on self help peer support with professional assistance provided by staff from DIRECTIONS ACT when required.
The program is run at DIRECTIONS ACT, 1 Bradley St Woden, every tuesday from 10:30am to 1pm
For more information call Barry at DIRECTIONS ACT on 61228000
The COMPASS Support Group offers families a supportive environment to discuss issues and learn strategies to manage alcohol and other drug issues.
The facilitators are experienced counsellors at DIRECTIONS ACT and COMPASS meets fortnightly 6pm – 8pm at the Woden Office.
COMPASS aims to help family members navigate through this difficult period, providing information, support and resources, assisting people to manage self care and wellbeing. For more information ring the Family Support Counsellor on 6122 8000.
The COMPASS groups for September and October are on the following dates: