Families & The AOD System with Family Drug Support
Families want change in drug policy. They are smart, informed and impatient for a health-based response.
There is strong support for a reform agenda around drug policy which better reflects the knowledge and work of families in supporting their loved ones.
At this month’s forum, Family Drug Support’s (FDS) Chloe Span presents on the findings from FDS’s ‘Time for Change’ report and Harm Reduction Australia’s Biennial Stakeholder Survey.
AOD Youth Worker Horace willl talk about drug treatment in Victoria and the barriers families and the wider community face in gaining sustainable health outcomes. And Trish speaks about her first-hand experience working with a family member struggling with dependence.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Horace Wansbrough
is employed as a Youth AOD Worker- Family Specialist at YSAS Bendigo and as a Parent and Family Counsellor at Tarrengower Women’s Prison with VACRO. He has a special interest in exploring how harm reduction, strengths and systemic thinking can combine to offer effective practice approaches to children, young people and families going through tough times. He holds dual post graduate qualifications in Alcohol and Other Drug Studies and Clinical Family Therapy.
Contact Horace via email
Chloe Span
is the Victorian Project Officer for Family Drug Support Australia (FDS) and is responsible for running support groups, community workshops and the FDS flagship program, ‘Stepping Stones’ for families effected by problematic alcohol and drug use. She has a background in case management for people receiving unemployment benefits, is the Founding-Secretary of Students for Sensible Drug Australia and is in her qualifying degree to become a social worker. She is also the winner of the Australian Association of Social Workers, ‘Student of the Year’ Award, 2021 and a proud member of the AASW.
Trish
is a support worker at Family Drug Support and is a family member of a person who has lived and living experience of drug and alcohol use. She became connected with FDS after reaching out for a support groups and now is a volunteer on their support line Trish will be sharing some personal anecdotes about her journey with her son Joshua and what she’s learnt along the way.
SLIDES FROM THE FORUM
Chloe & Trish’s Slides
Horace’s Slides
