Topic: Informing and Engaging the Community
Author: Forum Administrator | Posted: 31 Jul 2003 |
What can we do to inform and engage the community on the issues surrounding alcohol abuse?
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Topic: Re: Informing and Engaging the Community
Author: Con Koureas | Posted: 25 Aug 2003 |
I am a Health Education Officer employed by SWSAHS and it seems to me the emphasis is more on drug use illicit one's ofcourse. Alcohol seems to have been forgotten I feel, and abstinence seems to be a "dirty" word. I believe field workers like me should be out there in some capacity informing our community about the alcohol misusee.g. signs to be aware of what is deemed to be "safe" drinking levels, treatment options such as detoxing inpatient, outpatient and home detox options. Also the fact that complete abstinence is the most suitable option for client's who have a background of abuse of the substance. Also the pitfalls of any drug use whilst attempting to be alcohol abstinent e.g. "pot" use as well as narcotic use. As workers we should be trying to access all sections of the community young high school students via presentations to all sections of the community somehow by networking with other govt. depts. but get the awarness and message across. Discuss AA & NA as viable options and any support networks that would assist those who need it and emphasise it is not moral or character but 4 some reason some people are more susceptible than others to the condition or dare I say disease.
Regards & Good Luck Con Koureas
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Topic: Re: Informing and Engaging the Community
Author: Christa Bidgood | Posted: 25 Aug 2003 |
My name is Christa Bidgood and I am
the Principal and Developing Officer of the Australian Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.
The Community and Professionals need to be informed on the causes of illicit drug taking and alcohol abuse. The example and message the Australian Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence has is pervaded by people who recover from alcoholism and addiction being the nature of the disease
which led to alcohol abuse and illicit drug use. In the acknowledgement that
the disease is predominant before picking up alcohol and drugs and can be
treated to avoid alcohol abuse and illicit
drug use has become the answer for many. Lives marriages and families can
and are restored to living responsible and
healthy lifestyles. The Australian Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence accepts that alcoholics and addicts who suffer from alcohol abuse and illlicit drug taking are sick and can be encouraged educated and informed on alcoholism and it's treatment and how to live abstinent from alcohol and drugs and be happy. I am an alcoholic and addict who has lived life for 12 years totally abstinent from alcohol and drugs, with my husband who is 11 years abstinent and have three children who are young adults today and have found
successful lives living in the education of what alcohol and drugs can do where there is alcoholism and addiction in the family.The Australian Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence focuses on the attitude toward drunks and junkies and thier families and offers
compassion and understanding where often patience and tolerance of the drunks and junkies conduct toward families and society has failed.
An alcoholic and addict is a very sick person, victim of an insidious, progressive disease, which all too often ends fatally. An alcoholic can be recognised, diagnosed and treated successfully. An alcoholic and addict cannot be cured of his disease so that he can drink normally again. But his illlness can b
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Topic: Re: Informing and Engaging the Community
Author: Gail | Posted: 25 Aug 2003 |
Rational recovery is the best website I have discovered on the net. The web address is rational.org. Here you will learn to recognize the addictive voice, the one that wants to drink, and know that you have power over that voice.
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Topic: Re: Informing and Engaging the Community
Author: mohammad | Posted: 26 Aug 2003 |
i believe people should be shown the horrific results of alcohol abuse, and i believe through advertising and even through weekly tv shows. I suggest if some1 can fund and sponsor making a tv show showing people the horrrendous results of alcohol abuse and scenes of before and after of such devastating incidents. it will surely create awareness within the community, but i doubt "FOSTERS" will sponsor such shows!!
thankyou
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Topic: Re: Informing and Engaging the Community
Author: Robert Fearnside | Posted: 26 Aug 2003 |
Our community responds to celebrities; sports stars, actors, artists etc. People who are high profile and who have been 'on the wagon' or are closely affiliated with others in such a position, could be contacted and encouraged to contribute time in producing tv ads, documentaries or the like in discouraging alcohol abuse and over-use.
Australian authror Bryce Courtney in his latest book, 'Matthew Flinder's Cat',
makes an outstanding contribution to understanding how 'down and out alcoholics' on the streets of Sydney, try to exist and can break through the barriers of addiction into rehabilitation.
An excellent portrayal of an alcoholic's life is represented in his book and is a real eye opener to the tragic effects alcohol can have in people's lives. I would encourage the summit and its affiliates to consider using Mr Courtney and his book to draw others into reading it and thinking about the problems affiliated with alcohol abuse.
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Topic: Re: Informing and Engaging the Community
Author: Sandra B | Posted: 28 Aug 2003 |
The community need to know that an alcoholic is not just the person we see on the park bench with a brown paper bag. It could be your neighbour, your work colleague, your childcare worker, your church friend it could even be you!
Advertising of "safe levels" of alcohol consumption does nothing to inform people who do not know better, what is "normal". Safe and Normal are two different things.
People who do not consider they have a problem think "safe guidelines" are only for those who do not "know how to handle their grog"!
We need to use real Marketing strategies. Which market are we trying to address with the advertising campaigns? Use the psychology that applies to that group! Send a real message not an horrific visual that is cloaked in inuendo.
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Topic: Re: Informing and Engaging the Community
Author: Ana Corpuz | Posted: 29 Aug 2003 |
We need more free and accessible info lines relating to alcohol use and abuse similar to quit line for smoking.
Every bottle of alcoholic drink should have warning and display the quit or help line for alcohol users. People should be widely educated as to when do you become an alcoholic or when are you alcohol dependent? Most do not admit to this or recognise their own symptoms.
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