What is Family Drug Help?


			WHAT IS FAMILY DRUG HELP?
			Family Drug Help (FDH) is a new and innovative service designed specifically to address the support and information needs of parents, other family members and significant others of someone with problematic alcohol or other drug use. People with personal experience of the effects of alcohol or other drug use within their family or friendship group are involved at all levels of the service. Mission/Aims/Guiding Principles HISTORY Services Management and Funding MISSION Family Drug Help's mission is to provide peer support and access to reliable information about alcohol and other drugs as well as available treatment options. FDH aims to reduce the alcohol and drug related harm experienced by families and friends of a person misusing these substances and to strengthen families in their support of that person. AIMS Specifically, Family Drug Help aims to: recognise that support and information can provide ongoing help and hope to concerned families and friends. empower families and friends to reduce alcohol and drug-related harm to themselves and the person using alcohol or other drugs through a process of mutual support and self-help. reduce the isolation and stigma often associated with a family members misuse of alcohol or other drugs by bringing families in contact with others who share these experiences. provide non-judgemental, empathic support, as well as accurate information on alcohol and other drugs and current available treatment options. HISTORY Family Drug Help is the product of the successful partnership between three organizations, Parents for Drug Information and Support, SHARC and Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre. In 2000, these partnerships constituted the consortium which was awarded the tender by the Department of Human Services to develop the program we know today as Family Drug Help. The service was launched by the Premier of Victoria, the Hon. Steve Bracks in Queens HAll, Parliament House. Each organization brought its own expertise to the new project. SHARC brought its own committed history of peer support and self help for drug users. It also provided the building where the new service was to be housed and its infrastructure and it agreed to become the auspicing body for the funds. Furthermore, it was agreed that its CEO would oversee the service, with its program , management and ethos to be developed by its largely peer based Steering Committee. Turning Point brought the telecommunication expertise of Direct Line and its commitment to providing high quality telephone service to the community on drug and alcohol issues. However, it is vital to acknowledge that the key distinguishing feature of the new Family Drug Help service, which led to its successful funding, was its family input. The novel concept of a peer based telephone support line, the development of peer support and information groups across Victoria and the family information centre, arose directly from the experience and knowledge developed in the Parents for Drug Information and Support group, meeting at North Yarra Community Health in Fitzroy. The ethos, philosophy of harm minimisation and strategic model of the new FDH was modelled directly on the experience developed over the four successful years of this group. the wisdom and knowledge of how best to help families in a respectful, affiriming, non-directive and individual person-centred manner, arose out of the journey of this passionate and vibrant group, of its founder and voluntary co-ordinator Brenda Irwin and its committed guest speakers. We acknowledge and thank the following for their joint contribution to the founding and implementation of Family Drug Help Service: The Steering Committee of Family Drug Help and in particular its family members who drove and continue to drive the service and who have given so generously of their time. Gordon Storey from SHARC for his commitment to the concept of the peer managed, peer based service for families for his support. Professor Margaret Hamilton, Michelle Keenan and Eric Tyssen from Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre for their expertise and commitment to the new telephone line for families. The guest speakers and the members of the group Parents for Drug Information and Support who contributed so much to raising awareness and understanding for families. We particularly thank Dr. David Jacka, so committed to this new way of helping and of mutual learning. The Drug Treatment Services Branch of the Department of Human Services and especially its Director, Lorrie Bebbington for listening and for her response. We thank and acknowledge the contribution of Brenda Irwin, who advocated directly to the Government on behalf of families and whose input in this regard was the foundation of the service as it is today. " The inspiration and inception of Family Drug Help is in memory of Cecily Irwin, a beautiful and passionate young woman, the love of whom inspired this journey " Families in the Drug and Alcohol sector Concurrently, the Victorian Department of Humans Services completed a major report titled 'Involving Families in Alcohol and Drug Treatment' (Success Works, 1999). The report identified the needs of family members for access to appropriate support services. Extracts from the executive summary of the report (1999:xii) include:
				'The main theme to emerge from the consultation with families was the initial feeling of total helplessness and lack of preparation by family members when they have to deal with a child with a major drug problem'. 'Families reported going through a process of shock, disbelief and not knowing where to turn, when they found out about a child's "drug habit". Key areas of concern identified by families included lack of emotional support, the impact on their own mental health, and lack of information'. 'Another common theme running through the consultations was that many families felt alienated and unsupported by health professionals and drug treatment services'. 'Some of the issues raised centred on having received harsh advice from services and feeling alienated as a result'. 'Family members described their relief when they contacted a supportive service'.
			Family Drug Help has been established to help address these needs and concerns. LAUNCH OF FAMILY DRUG HELP The FDH service is funded by the State Government and was officially launched by the Premier, Steve Bracks, and the Health Minister, John Thwaites in Queen's Hall, Parliament House, Melbourne on the 20 March, 2001. Brenda Irwin, Premier Steve Bracks, Minister John Thwaites, Gordon Storey FAMILY DRUG HELP SERVICES Family Drug Help offers several services: A network of 25 family and friend support groups across Victoria. A 24-hour telephone Helpline catering specifically for parents, family members and friends of the person using drugs or alcohol. Trained peer support volunteers operate the line, in conjunction with professional counsellors. A state-wide Resource Centre, located at 140 Grange Road, Carnegie. This Centre functions as a 'drop-in' service for family members and a point of contact for information. Information is also mailed to people who cannot visit the Centre. An education program which aims to reduce stress, strengthen and empower familiy members to gain back some control over their lives with a balanced view towards drug and alcohol misuse in the relationship.The ARC six-week course explores various options of self-help with the intention of bringing greater harmony to your lives and the lives of people you care about. THE PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH FAMILY DRUG HELP OPERATES Several interrelated principles underpin FDH: Families who require support and information are the reason FDH exists. Their needs, their experiences and their ongoing learning must drive the development and delivery of services The service is dedicated to empowering family members through mutual support and access to the latest information on alcohol and other drugs and available resources. Such learning in itself helps families to cope and support their alcohol or other drug- misusing family member. The service is dedicated to empowering family members through ongoing skill development and advocacy. The concept of self-help is central. People gain strength by receiving support from others in a similar position and by returning that support to others. Helping is personal and individual, non-directive, non-authoritarian and non-judgmental. FDH acknowledges the range of cultural, social and individual differences in families and the need for each family to adjust and cope in the way that is best for them, with the benefit of mutual support and accurate information. Help is given freely. The service operates with a framework of harm minimisation, supporting treatments and care and other interventions which aim to minimise risk to life and health, both for the person using alcohol or other drugs and their family members. Networking is a key. Family Drug Help is working closely to establish cooperative links with professional service providers and other stake holders who can build and strengthen FDH support, network and information systems. MANAGEMENT Three organisations have collaborated in the establishment of FDH: Parents for Drug Information and Support - a self-help peer support, information and advocacy group, The Self Help Addiction Resource Centre - SHARC, and Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, which also manages the telephone counselling, information and referral service "Direct Line." STEERING COMMITTEE The Family Drug Help management approach is underpinned by encouraging and promoting group member involvement at the highest possible level, resulting in a peer-run, peer-organised service. The Steering Committee has nine members: six positions are held by family members with personal experience and knowledge of relevant issues; three positions are held by professionals drawn from the collaborating partner agencies (Parents for Drug Information and Support, Turning Point & SHARC). Management and financial administration is provided by auspice agency, SHARC. FUNDING The Victorian Government, through the Department of Human Services, provides the funding for Family Drug Help. SPONSORS : William Buckland Foundation Alcohol Education Rehabilitation Foundation Department of Human Services The R E Ross Trust The Gandel Charitable Trust Melbourne City Council Glen Eira City Council Melbourne Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund Department of Victorian Communities RACV Brimbank Regional Drug Strategy City of Port Phillip Drug Strategy