DRUG AND ALCOHOL SERVICES

In reply to the Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (17 May 2012).

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations): The Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse has been advised:

1. Yes.

2. The primary documentary means by which the policy objectives of drug treatment programs are communicated is through The South Australian Alcohol and Other Drug Strategy 2011-2016 (the Strategy). This whole-of-government strategy aligns with the objectives of South Australia's Strategic Plan and those outlined in national agreements, such as the National Drug Strategy 2010-2015; the Council of Australian Governments' National Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes and the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health.

3. The Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse is not aware of any instances in which Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia employees have given advice or made decisions contrary to approved clinical practice. The management and resolution of any incidents involving breaches of policy or alleged misconduct is the responsibility of SA Health.

4. Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia does record the number of clients for whom the current course of treatment has ended, and the reason for the cessation of the treatment. Such reasons may include: that the immediate goals of the treatment plan have been fulfilled; that a client has ceased treatment against advice, without notice, or refused to comply with treatment rules or conditions; or that a client has been incarcerated or has died.

As the honourable member may appreciate, there is substantial stigma associated with being drug dependent and the clients with whom Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia is in contact are frequently marginalised and often difficult to contact. In such circumstances, resources are not redirected away from direct treatment to routine attempts to follow-up former clients of substitution treatment programs in order to ascertain their drug use status at that point in time.

Furthermore, the nature of drug addiction is such that a single treatment episode is rarely sufficient to achieve complete abstinence. Those familiar with other forms of addiction, such as to tobacco smoking, will be aware that it is not uncommon for successful self-changers to make up to around fourteen attempts before they become successful long-term abstainers, with relapses occurring frequently. Follow-up studies indicate similar patterns of multiple quit attempts for heroin and other illicit drugs.