Check out our Amphetamine Type Stimulants page and download the 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:

• Poly drug use - Mixing more than one substance with another can be very dangerous for a number of reasons including overdose.
• Unsafe sex - Can lead to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), pregnancy, and sexual assault and loss of dignity.
• Driving while under the influence of drugs - Many people on stimulants feel over confident and invincible and think they can achieve anything, however their reaction time is impaired.
• Become violent or be a victim of violence - ATS use can lead to aggression and you can easily be taken advantage of when intoxicated.
• Doing something you may regret - This can relate to problems such as robbery, violence or assault, trouble with the law, and unwanted sexual activity or regrettable sex.
• Other safety and health issues - Injury while intoxicated, or suffering long term health damage.

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.

Employment Opportunities

We are seeking applications for the following position:

Althea Wellness Centre - Clinical Nurse

We are seeking expressions of interest for the following position:

Althea Wellness Centre Reference Group - Consumer Representative

To view position descriptions and selection criteria, click here

Direct News

Our Quarterly Newsletter
To view our lastest and previous editions of Direct News, click here

Programs

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:

• Binge Drinking
• Drink Spiking
• Unsafe sex and unintended pregnancy
• Violence and assault
• Safety issues and first aid emergencies
• Driving under the influence and car accidents

The Party Safe Project provides the following services, resources and initiatives to young people:

• Party Safe information focused on being party safe and making wise decisions when drinking
• Safe sex packs
• Safe partying information
• Bottled water
• First aid courses
• Referrals into counselling and youth friendly services

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:

• Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 March
• Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 April
• Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 May
• Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 June
• Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 July
• Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 August
• Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 September
• Saturday 23 and sunday 24 October

You can register via any of the following:

• In person at DIRECTIONS ACT, 1 Bradley St Woden 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
• Calling the Party Safe Coordinator on 0416 910 804
• Visiting the Party Safe Bus (Check Event Calendar for locations)

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 on 6122 8000

Support Groups

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:

• Motivation to abstain
• Coping with urges
• Problem solving
• Lifestyle balance

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