I want to be heard research project

• Reach:

  ACT

• Focus area:

  Indigenous

• Status:

  Completed

• Evaluated:

  Yes

Overview

This research project was carried out between 2001 and 2004, by staff from the Canberra-based Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service, and the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH) at The Australian National University. The project was initiated in response to widespread concern about rising levels of substance use in the Indigenous community in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

The project aimed to identify how services could be improved to address the needs of Indigenous people who use illicit drugs. Almost 100 Indigenous people from the ACT shared their personal stories of illicit drug use as part of the project. The findings formed the basis of a final report aimed at government agencies and mainstream and Aboriginal service providers. Key recommendations included:

• the development of cultural education programs for illicit drug users
• establishment of an Aboriginal residential treatment centre and halfway house
• Aboriginal involvement in service design and delivery.

Contacts

Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation
PO Box 568
Dulwich Hill NSW 2203
Ph: (02) 9564 0594
Fax: (02) 9564 0195

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service
Ph: (02) 6284 6222

Related publications

Tongs J, Chatfield H, Dance P, Guthrie J (2005)

'I want to be heard': an analysis of needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander illegal drug users in the ACT and region for treatment and other services: community report: findings from the final report.

Canberra: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University and Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service

• Links
• View report: 'I want to be heard': an analysis of needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander illegal drug users in the ACT and region for treatment and other services: community report: findings from the final report (PDF - 14.5 MB)
• View website: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health

Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (2007)

Success stories in Indigenous health: a showcase of successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health projects.

Sydney: Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation

• Links
• View report: Success stories in Indigenous health: a showcase of successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health projects (PDF - 1.2 MB)
• View information: Success stories in Indigenous health
• View website: Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation

Dance P, Tongs J, Guthrie J, McDonald D, D'Souza R, Cubillo C, Bammer G (2004)

'I want to be heard': an analysis of needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander illegal drug users in the ACT and region for treatment and other services.

Canberra: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University

• Links
• View report: 'I want to be heard': an analysis of needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander illegal drug users in the ACT and region for treatment and other services (PDF - 1.1 MB)
• View website: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health

Evaluated publications

Dugard C (2006)

'I needed to hear this': evaluation of the implementation and impact of 22 recommendations emanating from the report ‘I want to be heard’: an analysis of needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander illegal drug users in the ACT and region for treatment and other services.

Canberra: ANU College of Medicine and Health Sciences

• Links
• View report: 'I needed to hear this':

Links

• View information: Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) - I want to be heard
• View website: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University
• View website: Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service