Alcohol and Other Drugs
19
Alcohol and Other Drug services commissioned by CESPHN in 24/25 FY
23,879
occasions of service of direct treatment over the past year by CESPHN commissioned service providers who have supported 2,170 people.
The principal drugs of concern for clients accessing treatment within the CESPHN region were
32
Methamphetamine
35
Alcohol
11
Heroin
6
Cannabinoids
81
of clients saw an improvement in K10 scores (Kessler 10)
69
improvement in SDS (Severity of Dependence)
87
improvement in WHO8 (Quality of Life) score
Multicultural Audit Project
CESPHN collaborated with the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA) to deliver the Multicultural Audit Project. The primary outcome of the project is to increase awareness and workforce capacity of generalist NGO AOD services in supporting clients from multicultural communities. Further outcomes include increasing knowledge and application of approaches that support clients from multicultural communities, and identifying and promoting local specialist services and resources that support specific multicultural communities
The project involves organisational audits, reporting and action planning for five CESPHN commissioned NGO AOD treatment services, ACON, CRC, The Haymarket Foundation, The Salvation Army Foundations, and Odyssey House. Provision of multicultural supervision to participating services took place during the action plan implementation phase. A final project report outlining project outcomes and recommendations for service enhancement was delivered, including initiatives such as the welcome wall pictured at The Salvation Army Foundations Maroubra site.
WEAVE Youth and Community Services
Weave’s Mad Pride event took place in October 2024 at Carriageworks on Gadigal land. Mad Pride is a free, youth-led event held during Mental Health Month. Now in its 17th year, it celebrates young people’s creative expression and achievements while breaking down mental health stigma. Led by young people connected to Weave’s CESPHN commissioned Speak Out dual diagnosis AOD and mental health program, the event evolves with community needs and focuses on empowering youth voices.
The Weave South East Block Party took place in April 2025 at Coral Sea Park in Maroubra. Southeast Block Party started as a childhood dream by a young Kobie Dee, brought to life through the vision of a group of young Aboriginal men from South East Sydney who wanted to celebrate community, culture, music and creativity of the local community at Coral Sea Park. This dream has become an annual event, celebrating the strength of community, culture, young people, and talented local artists and performers. South East Block Party is hosted by Weave, Randwick City Council and Kobie Dee as a free, community event that has brought together thousands of people with the aim of helping people from these South East communities feel seen, valued and appreciated.
”I wanted to acknowledge the incredible counselling services I received from Odyssey House. My counselor helped me understand what I was experiencing, and more than that he gave me the tools I could use to support myself and work through my emotions more effectively. He gave me confidence and helped me channel my emotions into better outcomes than I could have come up with alone. I am forever grateful to my counselor who will remain one of the most impactful people I have worked with, and his demeanor and kind soul was my beacon of hope when at times I felt very lost. Having such a service with experienced and knowledgeable counsellors may be the difference between loss and hope.