Addiction and Harm Reduction Service

 

Supporting those within the Wellington Shire Community who have issues with alcohol and substance use.

 

The AOD Harm Reduction Service is here to assist those with AOD dependency, or addiction, whilst promoting harm reduction strategies that will contribute to improved health for the individual and the community.

 

Available to all within the community, there are three main services provided:

 

• Provision of Needle and Syringe products.

• Addiction Recovery support.

• Promotion of good sexual health

 

Needle And Syringe Program (NSP)

 

CGH Community Services provides, free of charge, a range of NSP equipment that helps to prevent the spread of Blood Borne Viruses such as Hepatitis C. This includes fit packs, sharps disposal containers and a wide range of specific barrels and needles.

 

The full range of equipment is available on request from the Community Services 1st floor reception office during office hours

(Mon – Fri 8.30am – 4.30pm).

 

Fit packs are available 24/7 from the free of charge vending machine, along with a sharps disposal machine, close to the main entrance of the Community Services building.

 

Out of office hours fit packs are also available on request from the Emergency Department reception.

 

Addiction Recovery Support

 

CGH Community Services run a Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery meeting every Wednesday afternoon from 1.30 – 3.30pm. This is held in the conference room on the ground floor of Community Services building. No referral is required to join this support group which is facilitated by an AOD qualified staff member. The aim is to support those going through the addiction recovery process and to help prevent relapse for those who have been able to reduce or stop their substance or alcohol intake.

 

Promotion of Good Sexual Health

 

This service aims to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infection within the community by providing condoms free of charge. These can be obtained at the reception offices of Community Services, Central Gippsland Health (CGH) Emergency Department and Sale Mental Health Services.

 

CGH also provides condoms free of charge to community support agencies in Stratford, Maffra and Rosedale.

 

For further details on these services please contact Community Services reception on 5143 8800.