Services directory for drug and alcohol users

Table of Contents

1. HOW DRUGS AFFECT YOU

what is a drug?

where do drugs come from?

who uses drugs?

harm caused by drugs

effects of drugs

types of drugs

testing for drug use

drug reference guide

2. TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF

harm reduction - policy and practice

blood borne viruses and injecting drug use

HIV/AIDS

hepatitis C and intravenous injecting drug use

bacterial infections

safer injecting

looking after your health

further information

3. WHAT CAUSES A DRUG OVERDOSE?

what increases the risk of overdose?

what happens when you OD?

how do you know if someone has overdosed?

what to do if someone has overdosed

what to do while waiting for an ambulance

what you should know about naltrexone

using opiates, drug half life and combining drugs

depression and overdose

4. NEEDLE AND SYRINGE PROGRAMS (NSPS)

what do NSPs do?

where are NSPs located?

primary NSPs

5. MYTHS AND FACTS

overdose myths

other myths

the 'stereotypical user' myths

6. DRUGS, PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

introduction

taking care of your health

after the birth of your baby

further information

7. TREATMENT OPTIONS

introduction

finding the right option for your needs

what might you want to get out of treatment?

types of treatment

complementary therapies

what treatment service do I want?

8. SELF-HELP AND MUTUAL AID

what is self-help?

why self-help groups work

drug self-help groups

listing of self-help services

9. DRUG AND ALCOHOL AGENCIES

how to access drug and alcohol services

agency listing by region

drug and alcohol agencies - alphabetical

10. DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND THE LAW

drug laws in Victoria

police powers

penalties and sentences

getting legal advice

11. CENTRELINK

introduction

newstart allowance

sickness allowance

special benefit

carer payment and carer allowance

parenting payment (single)

disability support pension

youth allowance

crisis payment

common problem areas with Centrelink

further information

12. MAKING ENDS MEET - MONEY PROBLEMS

introduction

assessing the problem

how to manage living costs

what to do if you have debts

coping with pressure from creditors

avoiding problems in dealing with creditors

getting help

13. EMERGENCY RELIEF AND MATERIAL AID

what types of emergency relief are available?

when can you get emergency relief?

who can get emergency relief?

tips for getting emergency aid

other forms of emergency relief

Victorian emergency relief providers

14. MAKING A COMPLAINT

introduction

tips for making a complaint

discrimination and unfair treatment

emergency relief

employment

government departments

health

housing

lawyers

pensions and allowances

police

public transport

15. QUICK GUIDE

information, support, counselling and advocacy

family and friends services

men's services

women's services

youth services

aboriginal services

ethno-specific services

gay and lesbian services

prison and post-prison services

useful websites

community legal centres

community health centres - by region

women's health services

16. FURTHER READING - ISSUES AND TRENDS

Access Health: providing primary health care to vulnerable and marginalised populations - a practice paper

involving the community in shaping drug policy

the Fitzroy Legal Service drug outreach lawyer project

overdose prevention and street-based injecting drug use: why we're heading in the wrong direction

the Victorian Human Rights Charter and the alcohol and other drugs sector

Index