Alcohol and other drug crisis intervention model of service

Background

The Methamphetamine Action Plan (MAP) Taskforce was a key election commitment of the McGowan Government. The Final Report was released publically on 26 November 2018, providing 57 recommendations across nine themes.

The  MAP Taskforce heard from families who felt that compulsory treatment should be available as a solution for methamphetamine dependent users in crisis, particularly as an alternative to incarceration. Whilst the MAP  Taskforce understood the need for a new type of crisis response, it was identified that further  evidence would be needed to support  a compulsory treatment approach. The MAP Taskforce was articulate in recognising the need to fulfil demand for voluntary treatment first. This findings of the Select Committee Inquiry into alternate approaches to reducing illicit drug use and its effects on the community also indicated further evidence should be sought if compulsory treatment was to be supported; however the Select Committee did support a trial of compulsory detoxification.

As part of the immediate government response to the Final Report, on 26 November 2018 the Minister for Mental Health announced planning would commence for a WA trial of compulsory crisis intervention to support WA families. Additionally on 7 May 2019, as part of the full government response to the Final Report, the Minister for Mental Health announced another initiative to provide more support for individuals and families in crisis.

This included the allocation of $200,000 to the Mental Health Commission in 2019-20 to commission a co-designed System Service model for people in AOD crisis, which allows the exploration of both non-compulsory and compulsory detox/treatment within an AOD crisis system within Western Australia.

Current status

In December 2019, the Mental Health Commission appointed an independent third-party, Tuna Blue Facilitation, to lead a process of engagement with the community regarding AOD Crisis Intervention in Western Australia. Their primary task is to develop a system service model to address the gaps in the provision of short-term AOD crisis intervention. The model will not be limited to individuals who have used a specific type of drug or alcohol, however will have specific consideration to ensure the model is able to appropriately respond to individuals using methamphetamines who are in crisis.  This is a co-design project, meaning that the model for addressing these gaps is being designed with people who have experienced AOD use, their families and carers.

There is currently no legislation in Western Australia which enables the provision of compulsory crisis intervention and treatment to individuals with severe AOD issues, including for methamphetamine users.   This process will include the consideration of both compulsory and non-compulsory options.

Community engagement is the key feature of the approach. A Community Advisory Group has been established and the broader community will have the opportunity to provide input through metropolitan and regional community forums, sector workshops and via an online survey. The main outcome from this consultation activity will be a cost‑effective, community-informed model for AOD crisis intervention for Western Australia. 

Community Advisory Group

The MHC highly values the contribution that consumers, families, carers and community members make to the planning, implementation, delivery and evaluation of mental health, and AOD programs and services.

Through an open Expression of Interest process conducted between December 2019 and January 2020, a Community Advisory Group was appointed. The Community Advisory Group was  announced on 27 February 2020. The Community Advisory Group, facilitated by Tuna Blue, consists of a range of consumers, carers and family members from a range of different backgrounds.  The Community Advisory Group is meeting between February and June 2020 and will provide advice regarding how to address current gaps in the provision of AOD short-term critical intervention services and recommendations on whether existing identified effective and efficient services might be expanded and/or refined.

Metropolitan Community Forums

In light of developments with the COVID-19 virus, community forums will be held online to inform the development of an appropriate AOD crisis response. A series of three Perth metropolitan-focused community forums will be facilitated online including:

Metropolitan forum 1 - Held on 22 April 2020

The first in a series of Metro-focused Community Forum events included discussion on AOD crisis intervention needs in Western Australia, and explored current and optimal pathways for individuals in AOD crisis.

View forum output summary here

Metropolitan forum 2 - Held on 11 May 2020

The second in a series of Metro-focused Community Forum events, it will focus on exploring potential future services, both new and changes to existing ones, that have emerged as themes from engagement to date - what they might look like and how they could be implemented.

View forum output summary here.

Metropolitan forum 3 - Held on 3 June 2020

The third in a series of Metro-focused Community Forum events, it will focus on testing potential future services, both new and changes to existing ones, that have emerged as themes from engagement to date.

View forum output summary here.

Regional Community Forums

The AOD System Service Model needs to address issues, concerns and potential solutions throughout Western Australia. To ensure that the specific requirements and nuances of regional and remote AOD Crisis Intervention service delivery are captured, online forums will be held across the seven regions from May to June 2020. These forums are part of a broad community consultation process and will include discussion on AOD crisis intervention needs in Western Australia, and explore current and optimal pathways for individuals in AOD crisis. The sessions will focus specifically on challenges and opportunities for improvement in AOD Crisis Intervention in each specific region.

Midwest Community Forum - Held on 19 May 2020

View forum output summary here.

Southwest Community Forum - Held on 26 May 2020

View forum output summary here.

Kimberley Community Forum - Held on 26 May 2020

View forum output summary here.

Wheatbelt Community Forum - Held on 28 May 2020

View forum output summary here.

Pilbara Community Forum - Held on 29 May 2020

View forum output summary here.

Great Southern Community Forum - Held on 3 June 2020

View forum output summary here.

Goldfields Community Forum - Held on 10 June 2020, 10am - 12pm

View forum output summary here.

 

Online Survey

An online consultation survey was completed to provide an additional option for the community to provide input. The online approach enabled engagement with remote communities, as well as people who are unable to engage with other consultation methods. It also provided an option for people to provide feedback anonymously. This survey has now closed. 

Sector Forums

In light of developments with the COVID-19 virus, sector professionals who are involved across the spectrum of AOD crisis intervention service provision in WA will be invited to attend a series of three online forums to inform the development of an appropriate AOD crisis response. Representatives from relevant Government departments; peak bodies; first-line responders, including the emergency services; AOD and co-occurring mental health community support services; medical experts, practitioners and academic research institutions will form part of this important engagement process for AOD crisis intervention. 

Sector Forum 1 - Held 31 March 2020

Sector Forum 2 - Held 27 May 2020

 

More information

Further information regarding compulsory treatment

AOD Crisis Intervention - Background Paper

AOD Crisis Intervention CAG - Terms of reference

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