NCJ Number
53522
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Dated: (FALL 1977) Pages: 385-389
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT IN VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, IS DESCRIBED, INCLUDING INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT PROGRAMS; A PHILOSOPHY OF VOLUNTARY TREATMENT TO HELP CLIENTS OVERCOME THEIR OWN PROBLEMS IS STRESSED.
Abstract
IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY AND QUANTIFY THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE USE OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS IN VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, THE EFFORTS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY ARE COORDINATED WITH THE WORK OF PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE VICTORIAN FOUNDATION ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG DEPENDENCE. THE EFFECTIVE COORDINATION OF THE VARIOUS PROJECTS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY LEGISLATION WHICH ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE BUILDING OF FACILITIES AND THE TRAINING OF PERSONNEL. ASSOCIATED LEGISLATION HELPS WITH THE EARLY DETECTION OF ALCOHOLISM BY MEANS OF COMPULSORY BLOOD TESTS FOR INJURED PERSONS IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, AND THE RANDOM BREATH TESTING OF DRIVERS. FOUR DISTINCT GOVERNMENT-OPERATED CENTERS WITH A CENTRAL OFFICE PROVIDE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION WITH EXTENDED FACILITIES DELIVERING A BROAD RANGE OF SERVICES TO CLIENTS. IT IS FELT THAT THE COMMUNITY OUGHT TO DEFINE ITS ATTITUDES AND AREAS OF CONCERN IN RELATION TO ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE. PROGRAMS SHOULD FIT THE PERCEIVED NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE BEING SERVED, RATHER THAN FORCE PEOPLE INTO INFLEXIBLE SITUATIONS. THUS, NO SET FORM OF THERAPY WOULD BE MANDATED FOR ANY CLIENT. ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG DEPENDENCE ARE VIEWED AS LEARNED BEHAVIOR THAT CAN BE OVERCOME BY THE CLIENTS THEMSELVES. THE SPECIALIZED TREATMENT CENTERS ARE DESCRIBED, INCLUDING THE CRESSWELL REHABILITATION CENTER WHICH PROVIDES INPATIENT CARE AS WELL AS CATERING TO CLIENTS WHO ARE IN TRANSITION FROM THE INSTITUTION TO THE COMMUNITY. IT IS FELT THAT VOLUNTARY TREATMENT IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN COMPULSORY METHODS. THE EXTENT OF THE DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM IN AUSTRALIA IS NOTED. (TWK)