News (Media Awareness Project) - Australia: New Clinics For Cannabis Users |
| Title: | Australia: New Clinics For Cannabis Users |
| Published On: | 2008-07-03 |
| Source: | Northern River Echo, The (Australia) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-07-04 15:45:44 |
NEW CLINICS FOR CANNABIS USERS
Recently-established cannabis clinics in Lismore and elsewhere on
the north coast are providing a range of support to the increasing
number of people suffering from health and lifestyle problems as a
result of their addictive use of the drug.
The clinics are being operated by North Coast Area Health Service
(NCAHS) counselling staff in Lismore, Nimbin, Ballina and Casino and
at other locations and follow the success of four state government
funded trial clinics in Sydney and the central west in 2006.
Area director of NCAHS drug and alcohol services John Leary said
cannabis (marijuana) was the most commonly used illicit drug in
Australia, with around a third of all Australians having used it at
least once in their lifetime.
"While recent population surveys indicate that regular use of
cannabis is now decreasing, research has proved that there is a risk
of developing a dependence on cannabis with regular use," Mr Leary said.
The evaluation of the trial clinics found them to be a successful
model of treatment and more clinics are now being funded around the state.
The north coast clinics are mostly being provided in Community
Health Centres in an effort to attract people into treatment who may
not wish to attend drug and alcohol facilities.
"The clinics will offer individually tailored treatment to people
who identify cannabis as their primary drug of concern. This support
will be based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)," Mr Leary
said. "The clinics will also aim to identify any cannabis users with
a mental health disorder and provide special assistance. Clinic
staff members will also be available to offer brief advice and
support to parents or carers of problematic cannabis users, as well
as other service providers."
Access to the cannabis clinics are through a dedicated line, 1300 664 098.
A trained health professional will ask the caller a few questions
over the phone and provide them with an appointment time at the
nearest health centre where clinics are held. All information will
be kept confidential.
Recently-established cannabis clinics in Lismore and elsewhere on
the north coast are providing a range of support to the increasing
number of people suffering from health and lifestyle problems as a
result of their addictive use of the drug.
The clinics are being operated by North Coast Area Health Service
(NCAHS) counselling staff in Lismore, Nimbin, Ballina and Casino and
at other locations and follow the success of four state government
funded trial clinics in Sydney and the central west in 2006.
Area director of NCAHS drug and alcohol services John Leary said
cannabis (marijuana) was the most commonly used illicit drug in
Australia, with around a third of all Australians having used it at
least once in their lifetime.
"While recent population surveys indicate that regular use of
cannabis is now decreasing, research has proved that there is a risk
of developing a dependence on cannabis with regular use," Mr Leary said.
The evaluation of the trial clinics found them to be a successful
model of treatment and more clinics are now being funded around the state.
The north coast clinics are mostly being provided in Community
Health Centres in an effort to attract people into treatment who may
not wish to attend drug and alcohol facilities.
"The clinics will offer individually tailored treatment to people
who identify cannabis as their primary drug of concern. This support
will be based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)," Mr Leary
said. "The clinics will also aim to identify any cannabis users with
a mental health disorder and provide special assistance. Clinic
staff members will also be available to offer brief advice and
support to parents or carers of problematic cannabis users, as well
as other service providers."
Access to the cannabis clinics are through a dedicated line, 1300 664 098.
A trained health professional will ask the caller a few questions
over the phone and provide them with an appointment time at the
nearest health centre where clinics are held. All information will
be kept confidential.
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