Developing a community response - Step 1
The following steps are required to develop an effective community response to address volatile substance use (VSU) issues at a local level:
Step 1: Form an action group
Step 2: Gather information
Step 3: Develop a plan
Step 4: Evaluation
Step 1. Form an action group
Getting key agencies and community members together to talk about the issue is the first step.
Forming an action group with other people who are also concerned about VSU is the starting point to getting broader community support for action. Start with a few committed people and then work towards getting more people involved as needed.
Suggested group members include those who work directly with volatile substance users and those who have a role in dealing with issues related to VSU. For example:
- Key community members/local Aboriginal Elders
- Local Community Alcohol and Drug Service (CADS) or other alcohol and other drug agency
- Health agencies/Aboriginal community controlled health organisations
- Local police
- Department for Communities - Child Protection
- Department of Justice
- Schools
- School Drug Education and Road Aware (SDERA)
- Youth agencies
- Local government
- Local Drug Action Groups (LDAGs)
- Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Other relevant Commonwealth and State Government agencies
- Other relevant service providers, organisations or community members.
There may be an already established interagency group that includes some or all of the above agencies. In smaller towns or communities where there are fewer service providers, the group may only consist of a few key community members.