Alcohol and other drugs
The Alcohol and other drugs program assists young people with alcohol and drug problems to manage their problems and move to self-sufficient living. Under the program funding is provided to two service models:
- Getting It Together services which provide early intervention case management assistance primarily for young people aged 18 years or under with alcohol and/or drug misuse problems
- Youth Drug and Alcohol Court program which provides intensive crisis support for young people with drug/alcohol problems who have entered the juvenile justice system.
why is this program important?
The Alcohol and other drugs program helps reduce drug and alcohol misuse and the impact on the community of drug related crime and antisocial behaviour by providing a range of comprehensive, high quality and innovative treatment and counselling services to vulnerable young people.
These services focus on:
- providing assistance to young people who are not accessing conventional services or whose needs are not met by existing residential or community based services
- helping break the cycle of crime and drug misuse by assisting young people into treatment and away from the criminal justice system.
who benefits?
Getting It Together services assist young people aged 12 to 25 years with alcohol and/or drug problems who require assistance to address a range of issues relating to income support, health, mental health, homelessness, justice, education, employment and relationships.
Priority is given to young people under the age of 18.
In 2009/10, Getting It Together services assisted more than 2,500 vulnerable young people including 1,200 young people from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Youth Drug and Alcohol Court program is targeted to young offenders, aged 14 to 18 years with alcohol and/or drug problems, who are facing a custodial sentence.
In 2009/10, 48 young offenders entered diversionary programs provided by Youth Drug and Alcohol Court program.
what does the program deliver?
Getting It Together services use an early intervention case management approach for young people. A Getting It Together caseworker assesses the young person’s strengths and needs; works collaboratively with the client to develop a case plan; coordinates and plans a mix of services to meet the young person’s needs and monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of the intervention provided.
Brokerage can be used to purchase services and/or items for clients where needed, to support the case plan.
The Youth Drug and Alcohol Court program provides tailored health, education and welfare interventions to support young people with serious drug and alcohol problems and divert them away from the criminal justice system.
The Youth Drug and Alcohol Court program uses a case management approach similar to that used by Getting It Together service providers which includes funding for brokerage.
how does it work?
Getting It Together services are delivered by non-government organisations funded by Community Services.
Caseworkers employed by Getting It Together service providers work with young people on an outreach basis to address a range of issues relating to income support, health, mental health, homelessness, justice, education, employment and relationships.
Young people can be referred by other government and community agencies to Getting It Together services or they can self-refer.
There are currently 15 Getting It Together service providers in NSW:
- four in inner Sydney
- four in suburban Sydney
- seven in non-metropolitan areas.
The Youth Drug and Alcohol Court program is delivered through a cross agency partnership that includes Community Services, Juvenile Justice, Justice Health, Justice and Attorney-General and Education and Training.
These agencies work together through the Joint Assessment and Review Team to:
- assess and select participants for the program
- develop and monitor case plans for participants
- participate in all Court processes
- review treatment options and outcomes
Referrals to the Youth Drug and Alcohol Court program are received from Children’s Court magistrates, Juvenile Justice staff, Legal Aid solicitors or self referrals.
If the young person meets the criteria for the program and is assessed as suitable by the Joint Assessment and Review Team, a case plan is developed.
Each young person is case managed by a Juvenile Justice officer, with casework services from a non government service funded by Community Services to provide support to clients of the program.
The Youth Drug and Alcohol program operates at three locations: Bidura; Campbelltown and Parramatta Children’s Courts.
what funding is attached to this program?
In 2010/11, funding of $1.937M will be provided to 15 Getting It Together service providers. Funding of $0.922M will be provided by Community Services to the Youth Drug and Alcohol Court casework service.
what’s happening in 2011/12?
Funding has been allocated for the 15 Getting It Together service providers on a three yearly basis. The current three year term was due to end in June 2011 and has been extended until 2014.
Funding for the Youth Drug Court program has been extended for one year while a review of the program is undertaken.
It is expected that this review, which is being led by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, will to be completed in the second half of 2011.
Also see information on peak bodies and other agencies.
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