Working with communities

Dealing with volatile substance use (VSU) within a community can be challenging for service providers. VSU can elicit a range of negative emotions for communities living with antisocial behaviour associated with VSU.

However, it is important that the community as a whole is involved in any action to address VSU issues at a local level. Gaining the input, involvement, commitment and support of the community is essential for developing an effective, sustainable response to VSU.

There are two important parts to any community response to address VSU issues:

1. gaining support from community agencies and community members and ensuring that everyone understands the issue and is committed to working together in a collaborative way
2. having a range of different responses to deal with the problem.

This requires getting together to talk about the particular problem or issue, finding out what options you have, deciding what to do and how to go about it.

For more information, see the Developing a community response pages of this website.

Information and support

For support or information to deal with a VSU issue in your area, contact the Volatile Substances Program of the Mental Health Commission. The Volatile Substances Program can provide support and information about current resources and local responses that may already be happening in your area or elsewhere in WA. 

The Mental Health Commission also has a state-wide network of alcohol and other drug treatment services, a range of prevention programs, professional education and training, and coordinates whole-of-government strategies. After-hours information, resources and counselling support can be accessed via the 24 hour Alcohol and Drug Support Line.

See other Communities-related resources from the Resource Library of this website.