Date & Time:

Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Registrations open at 8:30 AM, with tea and coffee available
Event Program: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please ensure all dietary requirements are clearly noted at registration.

Location:
Ballroom, Rydge's Newcastle
Corner of Wharf Road & Merewether Street

Parking Options:

Delivery Platform:

In-person event only and will not be recorded
NADA members prioritised
Open to workers from affiliated community services in the Newcastle region

Overview:
The forum will address key issues for frontline workers through in-person and online presentations, panels, and opportunities for Q&A from the audience. Here’s a sample of what you can expect:

Panels:

Balancing the Facts: House, Home or Homeless
This session explores the challenges and considerations for workers supporting individuals to maintain their tenancy in social and community housing, while staying focused on goals related to substance use and recovery.
Getting It Real, Getting It Right: Responding to Changes in GHB Use
The increase in people seeking treatment for GHB use, combined with observable changes in its use alongside other substances, has led to a rethinking of service protocols around intake, drug screening, overdose and withdrawal management, and harm minimisation strategies.
Family Drug Treatment Court: A Holistic Approach
A presentation from Victoria on the Family Drug Treatment Court, a holistic diversion program delivered by a multi-disciplinary team, including peer workers from Sharc.
Naloxone: It Makes Sense
This session explores why we should carry naloxone with us, just as we do with our mobile phones and advocates for police officers to have it on hand as first responders.

A full program will be available closer to the event.

Who Should Attend?

All frontline workers, team leaders, and clinical managers from NADA member services
Workers and clinical managers in government and non-government alcohol and drug and community services working with people who use substances in the Newcastle area.

Travel Subsidies Available:
A limited number of travel/accommodation subsidies are available to support workers from NADA member services to attend the forum. Priority will be given to individuals in lived and living experience roles, peer workers, Aboriginal workers, and those residing in rural and regional areas. Applications close Thursday, 6 March 2025. Please email your application as soon as possible to antonia@nada.org.au. For more details, refer to the travel subsidy guidelines and reimbursement form.

For More Information:
Please email Antonia Ravesi at antonia@nada.org.au

Contact the host of A CROSS-SECTOR FORUM In practice: ideas to solutions