Healthcare work is strongly influenced by the setting in which it takes place. Workers need to adapt their practice to suit their surroundings. It is very important that healthcare workers are aware of their personal safety working in the AOD sector. Clients under the influence of grog and other drugs, or who are undergoing withdrawal, can suffer a range of symptoms from depression to psychosis. These can make them unpredictable, irrational and violent. Healthcare workers also need to be aware of the risks associated with viruses such as HIV and hepatitis which are common among injecting drug users. Look at the settings below to learn more about the settings in which AOD work takes place. | ||
Schools/colleges
Public health programs aimed at reducing grog and other drug misuse are often conducted in schools and colleges to try to raise awareness before misuse issues occur.
Guidance officers in schools deal with grog and drug misuse among students, families and the community. They need to have good networks of counselling, treatment, prevention and other support services that they can refer to.
Detention centres
There are very high rates of drug use in detention centres, as well as very high rates of HIV and hepatitis infection, and of depression and mental health problems.
This combination of factors means that healthcare workers operating in prisons need to be aware of their personal safety.
Hospitals/healthcare centres
Many of the issues that patients present with in hospitals and healthcare centres are either directly or indirectly related to grog and other drugs.
Healthcare workers in these settings need to be aware of their personal safety. They also need a current knowledge of grog and drug issues so they can deal with patients appropriately.
Residential rehab clinics/detox centres
Lots of AOD work takes place in specialist centres. Clients can either drop in or be referred by doctors, the police, the courts or other stakeholders.
Many of these centres are holistic in their approach and employ a range of specialists providing physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing services.
Community settings
The most effective AOD work is carried out by organisations that are driven by the local community in response to a local need. They operate in a culturally appropriate way, understand local issues and empower the community.
Homes
AOD healthcare workers may visit clients in their homes as part of ‘outreach’ treatment services. This can be beneficial as the client is in familiar surroundings. The worker can observe the client’s environment and can work with their family and friends, when appropriate.
Healthcare workers need to be aware of their personal safety visiting client homes.
Telephone or internet
All the major helpline organisations operate 24hr counselling and education telephone and website services for people with grog and drug issues. Helpline services include:
- Samaritans
- Lifeline
- Salvation Army
- Red Cross
- Smith Family
- St Vincent de Paul.