New National Information Service to Improve Indigenous Health

Health workers are being given tools to support the reduction of alcohol and drug use within Indigenous communities with  the establishment of a new national information service, the Australian Indigenous Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre .

The new Indigenous health service was launched by Chair of the National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee (NIDAC), Associate Professor Ted Wilkes, at the 3rd National Indigenous Drug & Alcohol Conference (NIDAC) in Melbourne. 
“It will provide quick access to the latest information on alcohol and other drug misuse in the Indigenous population, including resources that health professionals can use to identify, prevent, and better manage substance misuse," Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash said.
The Australian Government provided $1 million to Edith Cowan University to develop and host the Centre. The Knowledge Centre will:

• include an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) worker's portal that will provide evidence-based training and education to build the capacity of Indigenous health workers to better meet the needs of individuals and communities affected by alcohol and substance misuse.


• develop and disseminate a substance use information resource that specifically caters for the unique needs of Indigenous communities and Elders. This will help them to facilitate local drug and alcohol education initiatives at a community level.


• will support existing Government programs aimed at reducing alcohol and drug harm, and will provide resources and training materials to help prevent and manage Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Indigenous communities.

“Preventing and reducing substance abuse is one of the key components to closing the gap that exists between the life expectancy and health outcomes of Indigenous and other Australians.”
The work of the Knowledge Centre will be supported by the three national alcohol and other drug research centres: the National Drug Research Institute, the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, and the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.
Information can be found on the Australian Indigenous Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre website.