ANMF has joined a campaign to encourage the community to rethink addiction as a health issue.
The campaign to change the addiction lens coincides with the four-part documentary series Addicted Australia commissioned by SBS and produced by Blackfella Films.
The series provides a unique insight into addiction, stigma and treatment by following ten clients, their clinicians, peer support workers and families and friends as they take part in a six-month treatment program designed by Turning Point. Turning Point is a Melbourne-based treatment, education and research centre.
The documentary series will air at 8.30pm on Tuesdays over four weeks from 10 November to 1 December.
The series will cover alcohol, gambling and drug addiction, treatment as well as the social issues that worsen the stigma and isolation associated with addiction.
ANMF’s decision to support the ‘Rethink Addiction’ campaign is in line with its policies on harm minimisation and medically safe injecting facilities that view drug misuse as a public health concern, rather than a criminal issue.
ANMF (Vic Branch) Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said ‘Nurses have witnessed too many lives destroyed by substance use.
‘They know that addiction is a health issue which requires evidence-based health interventions.
‘Due to stigma and trauma, many people with addictions don’t seek health support or advice so those opportunities to have a respectful and compassionate life changing conversation with a nurse are critical.’
Over the past several years the ANMF Education Centre has provided fully funded evidence-based education programs covering methamphetamine addiction and alcohol and other drugs in partnership with the Andrews Government and Turning Point.
These programs have been designed for nurses, midwives and mental health nurses.
ANMF has also delivered funded metropolitan and regional seminars, in partnership with Turning Point, highlighting alcohol and other drugs careers for nurses and midwives and education and scholarship pathways to help build a specialised nursing workforce to meet the growing demand for treatment services.
