2014 | Lauren Stuckey and Jane Dicka

Lauren Stuckey (Left in picture) has worked for the Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS) for 8 years. Initially Lauren worked at the Fitzroy Downstairs Day Program and Primary Health Service. Currently Lauren works as a Youth Drug and Alcohol Assertive Street Outreach Worker, where she supports a number of young people in developing appropriate treatment plans to support them with their complex alcohol and other drug issues.

The award will assist Lauren in completing leadership training and a study tour to Asia where she will visit and engage with drug treatment services, particularly around NSP provision or lack thereof.

Jane Dicka has been employed by Harm Reduction Victoria as a Health Promotion Officer for over 7 years. Jane has a wide range of skills and her ability to engage with a variety of clients, including hard-to-reach clients is one of her major strengths.

Jane’s expertise as a workshop facilitator is outstanding and she has a unique ability to convey key learning points in a compelling way. Her most recent achievements in this regard have been workshops with staff and clients of Yarra AOD agencies on first aid and the peer distribution of the overdose prevention drug Naloxone.

Jane will use the award to visit the Danish Drug Users Union (BrugerForeningen) in Copenhagen. On return she will use this information to benefit both the people who use drugs in the City of Yarra and the wider community.