Age range eligibility

Documentation

Medication/Intoxication exclusions

Other exclusions

Use of drug testing

Treatment type

Harm reduction initiatives

Treatment duration

Treatment goal

Delivery mode

ACT and NSW residents

Cultural, diversity and vulnerable group capabilities

Disability access

Phones permitted

Smoking permitted

Smoking cessation support available

Fees

Additional program description

CAHMA speaks on behalf of people who use drugs to advocate for equity in healthcare and other basic human rights. CAHMA seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs and reduce the harms associated with drug use as well as the harms associated with the criminalisation of drug use.  CAHMA does this through peer based education workshops, peer treatment support, individual and systemic advocacy, information and education and high level policy development. Peer based overdose management training and naloxone brief intervention are provided on demand. CAHMA also provides consultancy/assistance and training upon request to alcohol and other drug services and other organisations, on issues relating to harm minimisation and harm reduction, safer using and consumer participation.

CAHMA programs include:

Peer Education Program

Provides peer education groups run by and for past or current illicit/injecting drug users and pharmacotherapy consumers. Topics for harm reduction education workshops include: blood borne virus prevention and treatment; sexual health; overdose prevention; safer injecting; drug treatments, and co-occurring mental health issues.

Peer Treatment Support Service

Provides case management, information and education, peer support and referral for people considering or attempting to access drug treatment services and assists people to make informed treatment choices. The service promotes consumer rights and advocates on behalf of people experiencing treatment difficulties. CAHMA Peer treatment support workers can attend appointments with people in order to ensure good treatment matching occurs and the person attains the best treatment outcomes possible.

Policy Support

CAHMA can facilitate consultations and focus groups for consumers to input into local and national policy development activities and service level development. The program actively promotes health and human rights for people who inject drugs.

The Connection (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program of CAHMA)

Provides peer based support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other people who are past or present illicit/injecting drug users in the ACT and surrounding area (see The Connection).

Naloxone Program – ACT Opioid Overdose Prevention and Management Program

Naloxone is a dual schedule drug, which can be provided with a prescription from a GP or over the counter from a Pharmacist. Naloxone reverses the effects of opioid overdose. The program is peer-led and provides training to opioid users, peers of people who inject opioids, or family or friends. Participants are taught to administer naloxone intranasally within a comprehensive overdose response education program. Opioid users who successfully complete the training program are prescribed and/or provided naloxone to be administered to them in the event of an overdose.

Naloxone training is provided both in a brief intervention (10 minute on the spot training) through our Belconnen drop-in centre as well as longer group training sessions (1hr) where a more detailed and formal training including rescue breathing is conducted.  Group trainings can be organised as inreach into other services.

Staff training in naloxone administration and education is also provided (1hr) for free and can be organised and delivered within a service’s timetable.

CanTEST – Health and Drug Checking Service

The ACT Government has launched Australia’s first fixed-site health and drug checking service as a six-month pilot. The CanTEST Health and Drug Checking Service is operated by Directions Health Services and CAHMA with technical assistance from Pill Testing Australia. This is a free service. Drug checking is a harm reduction service (also known as pill testing) that analyses the contents of drugs to help service users better understand the unknown and potentially dangerous substances in illicit drugs. Appropriate information, counselling and advice are provided to service users based on their specific test result, to encourage choices that reduce overall drug use and the harms associated with taking illicit drugs.

Festival Based Harm Reduction – CAHMA Care Space

CAHMA’s festival harm reduction service brings a team of highly trained peer-educators to your festival or event. Leveraging evidence based policy, information from our joint drug checking site, CanTEST, and the lived experience of our workforce, our service can help keep your patrons safe and informed about their Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug (ATOD) use at your next event. CAHMAs festival harm reduction team is funded solely by festival organisers dedicated to making their festivals safer. Funding from government for a more holistic service is being sought so please show your support.

CAHMA Clinic

The CAHMA Clinic is run weekly on Wednesdays from 10am-2pm. Located in our Belconnen drop in centre and is operated in conjunction with a fully certified doctor and nurse. The doctor and nurse are trusted Directions staff who understand our community and provide their services in a non-judgemental manner, with patient confidentiality being of utmost importance.

Additional program services or support