Atoda
Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT
  • Home
  • News
  • About
    • About ATODA
    • Governance & Advisory Structures
      • ACT ATOD Workers Group
      • ACT ATOD Chief Executive Officers/Executive Directors Group
    • Contact Us
    • Links
      • ACT Links
      • National Links
  • Activities
    • Annual General Meetings
    • Canberra Drug Policy Series
    • Past Activities
      • ACT ATOD Awards
      • Annual ACT ATOD Sector Conference
      • Drug Action Week
      • Comorbidity Bus Tour
      • Training and Professional Development Calendar
      • World No Tobacco Day: 31 May
  • Projects
    • ACT AOD Qualification Strategy
    • ACT ATOD Services Online Directory
    • ACT eASSIST
    • ACT Specific ATOD Training and Education
    • Domestic and Family Violence Tools for Alcohol and Other Drug Settings
    • E-cigarette Information Series
    • Impact Alcohol Project
    • Nicotine Replacement Therapy
    • Previous Projects
      • Canberra Collaboration
      • Capacity Buidling Project
      • Collective Impact and Evaluation Project
      • Consumer Participation
      • Fund Assist: Prepare, plan and write successful funding applications
      • National AOD Peaks Capacity Building Evaluation Report
      • Reconciliation Working Group
      • Reducing smoking in the ACT among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who are pregnant or who have young children
      • Research, Scope and Design a Safer Families Project for the ACT AOD Sector (AOD Safer Families Project)
      • Tackling Nicotine Together (TNT) – Systems Change for Smoke-Free Drug and Alcohol Centres
      • Women Affected AOD and Domestic and Family Violence
      • Workplace Tobacco Management Project
    • Safer Families AOD Baseline Assessment Project
    • Service Users’ Satisfaction and Outcomes Survey
    • University Drug and Alcohol Network
    • We CAN Project
    • Workforce Profile
  • Archives
    • Archived ANCD Website
    • Archived NCPIC Website
    • Archived NIDAC Website
    • National Projects
      • Overview
      • Care Packages
      • Mapping
      • AOD Workforce Development Strategy
      • Patient Pathways
      • Quality Framework
      • Review
      • Funding Applications
    • Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA) Defunded
  • Policy
    • ATODA 2020 ACT Election Priorities Statement
    • ACT Budget
    • ACT Infringement System
    • Drug Thresholds
    • Justice Reform
    • Liquor Act Review
    • Medicinal / Therapeutic Cannabis
    • Methamphetamine
    • Naloxone (Narcan)
    • Naltrexone
    • National AOD Peak Body
    • Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm (NBHF)
    • Prison Based Needle and Syringe Program
    • Public Health Partnerships
    • Withdrawal Review
    • Working With Vulnerable People Check
    • Youth Drug and Alcohol Court
    • More
  • Publications & Communications
    • ATODA Monograph Series
    • ATODA Publications
    • ACT ATOD eBulletin
    • ACT Research Spotlight
    • ACT ATOD Research eBulletin
    • ACT ATOD Services Directory
    • Media
    • Resources Guide
    • Supporting AOD Services with Recruitment
    • Update and Drugtalk Mailing Lists
Search the site...

Update on Covid-19 (Last updated on 28 May 2020)

A Public Health Emergency has been declared in the ACT for the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation is evolving rapidly, and the ACT AOD sector is adapting to ensure the safety and wellbeing of AOD service users and the workforce. The page below compiles information and resources that will be useful for the ACT AOD sector.

 

General Information and Resources

Information for non-government community, disability and health service providers in relation to COVID-19

Please find below a link to The Information for non-government community, disability and health service providers in relation to COVID-19 page which is now live.

https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/business-hub/non-government-community-disability-and-health-service-providers

The information contained on this page will assist non-government community, disability and health service providers (NGOs), including staff, volunteers and clients, to protect themselves and the community during the COVID-19 crisis.

This page provides resources and materials for NGOs related to COVID-19 such as:

  • Preparedness and business continuity;
  • Pandemic planning and managing risk;
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
  • Management and care of people who are in isolation or quarantine at home; and
  • useful links.

Buttons  to direct to this new page have been made live on:

https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/business-hub/restrictions-and-advice

https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/your-city-and-community

 

ACT Health Directorate Information

COVID-19 website
Continuously updated information about COVID-19 can be found on the ACT Health website at: https://health.act.gov.au/about-our-health-system/novel-coronavirus-covid-19


ACT COVID-19 Helpline 02 62077244
A COVID-19 Helpline has been established on 02 6207 7244 to access services such as: COVID-19 health advice and referrals; advice and information about the ACT government stimulus packages; requests for assistance by vulnerable and isolated people; community reports of non-compliance with health directions; referral to the ACT Health Protection Services, ACT Policing and Access Canberra Fair Trading; and general COVID-19 related enquiries.

Chief Health Officer Alerts

The Chief Health Officer produces alerts and resources for health professionals in the ACT.

 

Australian Government Department of Health information

Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert (website)
Continuously updated information can also be found on the Commonwealth Department of Health website at: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
This includes information on how to download the ‘Coronavirus Australia’ government app and join the WhatsApp channel.


Coronavirus Health Information Line
For general information on COVID-19 call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. This line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

COVIDSafe App
COVIDSafe has been developed by the Australian Government to help protect the health of the community by quickly alerting people who may be at risk of having contact with the virus.

 

World Health Organization Information

Continuously updated information on the global pandemic can be found on the World Health Organization website at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

 

Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan

The Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) dated 18 February 2020, endorsed by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), is available at https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/australian-health-sector-emergency-response-plan-for-novel-coronavirus-covid-19

 

Resources for the AOD Workforce, Services and the Community

A document outlining the operational changes to ACT AOD services as a result of COVID-19 is available.

 

AOD harm reduction and other resources to support AOD service users to remain safe

These tables provide a summary of useful resources, harm reduction information, mental health support, links and interviews that may be helpful for ATOD and allied health sector workers to assist clients to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The tables also includes useful material for harm reduction service providers. The information was current at 1 April 2020 and includes Australian and international sources. Please note that ATODA does not take responsibility for the content of, or accuracy of the information contained in, the resources listed in these tables.

 

Information on continued safe delivery of Opioid Maintenance Treatment

The ACT Health Directorate has prepared information and guidelines on contingencies for the provision of OMT in the ACT during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Canberra Relief Network

The Canberra Relief Network is a collaboration of community service organisations in the ACT supported by the ACT Government in response to the sudden and overwhelming demand for food and non-perishable household essentials item that is occurring and is expected to increase as a direct result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

For more information see: https://canberrarelief.com.au/

 

Other resources and information for community services

The ACT Council of Social Service is disseminating frequent bulletins with information on COVID-19 resources for community services. To subscribe contact communications@actcoss.org.au. Past ACTCOSS COVID-19 sector updates and news can be found at: https://www.actcoss.org.au/policy/covid-19.

 

ATODA Support for the Specialist ACT AOD Sector and Activities

ATODA has suspended or adapted a range of its standard activities to focus on supporting the specialist ACT AOD sector through the coming months of COVID-19 preparations, modifications and responses. ATODA continues to undertake activities to represent and advocate for the AOD sector with a focus on creating enabling contracting and funding environments, supporting the AOD workforce, and securing access to information and resources for essential AOD services. Ultimately, ATODA is seeking to support the sectors agility and adaptability to continue to support the many Canberrans who access AOD services. ATODA’s recent activities include:

  • Consulting regularly with AOD services through the Executives Group and Workers Group. This includes opportunities to identify priorities, distribute information and resources for the sector and workforce, and monitor service changes or impacts.
  • Participation, representation and leadership in a range of groups including:
    • NGO Leadership Group (co-chaired by ATODA and the ACT Health Directorate)
    • AOD Sector Contingency Framework and Residential Services Working Groups (convened by ACT Health Directorate)
    • Meetings between Canberra Health Services and NGO Peaks
    • National Naloxone Reference Group
  • Collaborating with our State and Territory AOD Peak colleagues for national representation
  • Collaborating with our ACT Peak colleagues in shared priorities
  • Regularly meeting, sharing information and progressing priorities in collaboration with Health Improvement Projects, ACT Health Directorate
  • Regularly meeting, sharing information and progressing shared priorities with the Capital Health Network
  • Meeting and briefing advisors of the Minister for Health
  • Monitoring announcements from governments to identify implications for AOD services

 

ATODA Operations

The ATODA staff team are currently working from home. To reach us please contact staff via their emails or info@atoda.org.au.

Subscribe to our eBulletin


Our monthly eBulletin is a concise summary of developments, publications, events and other information relevent to ATOD and allied workers in the ACT.
Subscribe NOW

Acknowledgement


We acknowledge the traditional owners and continuing custodians of the lands of the ACT and we pay our respects to the Elders, their families and ancestors.

Contact Us

Phone: (02) 6249 6358 / (02) 6257 2661
Fax: (02) 6230 0919
Email: info@atoda.org.au
Mail: PO Box 7187,
Watson ACT 2602
Visit: 11 Rutherford Cr, Ainslie

Contact Page

News

  • Join the ATODA Team
  • Family Drug Support volunteer training course in Canberra – January 2021
  • ACT Pill Testing – Fixed Site Announcement
©2016 ATODA – Home | ABN 50 515 216 820 | Privacy Statement | Disclaimer | Need help or support? In an emergency call the police, ambulance or fire on 000.
Alcohol, tobacco and other drug information & support is available through the Alcohol and Drug Program 24-hr Helpline on (02) 6207 9977. Lifeline offers 24-hr confidential counselling on 131 114.