Transcript CAHMA - AIVL

Consumer Input Into Pharmacotherapy Treatment:
Policy:
Positive Outcomes
Nicole Wiggins
CAHMA Manager
ACT Peer Based Drug User Organisation
Represent injecting/illicit drug users and people on
pharmacotherapies –our peers/ our community
Organisational philosophy is user/peer-centred that
supports the rights of our community to self organize
and form peer based structures and processes in order
to reduce drug related harm
Promote and protect the health and human rights
Challenge the social and legal barriers to the health
and well-being by ensuring access to the resources and
means to reduce drug related harm
Maintain an active public voice on issues affecting our
community
Provide avenues through which the interests and needs
of our community can be represented
Representation and Participation
ACT Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Strategy Implementation & Evaluation Group;
AMC 18 month Evaluation of AOD Services Advisory Committee;
• ATODA – ACT Peak Body ATOD Sector;
• Opioid Treatment & Advisory Committee (OTAC);
• Alcohol and Other Drug Workers Group;
• Various Government Inquiries and Local and National Strategies
PHAAT- Pharmacotherapy Advocacy and Action Group.
An independent, unfunded group of pharmacotherapy consumers
Aims include improving quality of pharmacotherapy treatment
PHAAT Consumer Representative on OTAC
Advocates on behalf of consumers experiencing problems with their pharmacotherapy
treatment
Mentoring for consumer
Participated and organized training and information workshops
CAHMA and PHAAT had considerable input into ACT Pharmacotherapy Guidelines
with positive inclusions and changes:
•Increased numbers of Take-Away’s for methadone and buprenorphine consumers
•Urine testing is not mandatory and is determined on an individual basis by
prescribing doctor in consultation with the consumer
Many of the changes to the ACT Pharmacotherapy guidelines
and to the program are very significant in terms of the positive
outcomes for consumers, allowing greater flexibility in dosing,
increased numbers of take away’s etc.
One the most significant positive outcomes of this process was
that consumer were engaged as important stakeholders in the
constructive debate, negotiation and compromises that were
part of the process of writing the new guidelines.
Acceptance and realization from other stakeholders that
consumer orgs and consumer reps have very similar goals and
aims for pharmacotherapy consumers as the other members of
OTAC.
Similar goals being providing a quality, safe and effective service
where clients of the are assisted to achieve the best possible
outcome from their treatment.
Happy, empowered , satisfied consumer are more likely to be retained in
treatment and other considering treatment may be influenced to seek
treatment.
In the ACT an important cultural shift has been the acceptance of the
importance of consumer input and representation and the acknowledgement
that this input has the ability to improve the program for everyone, improve
the relationships and significantly influence and effect a positive treatment
experience and outcome for everyone involved with the program; consumers,
providers, prescribers, pharmacist, nurses and other support and ancillary
staff.