Reducing Harm, Strengthening Communities: The Work of Amity Community Services

MusicNT’s All Good Project continues to lead important work in making live music venues and festivals across the Northern Territory safer, more inclusive and more supportive environments for everyone. Launched in 2023, the All Good peer harm reduction service is part of a broader initiative designed to increase safety for minority groups, promote equity and diversity, and help end discrimination and gender-based violence in music settings. The project is built around a multi-pronged approach including policy, education and training, marketing and a peer harm reduction service. Evaluation by Menzies School of Health Research To assess the impact of the All Good Project, Menzies School of Health Research was commissioned to conduct an evaluation using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The newly released report provides insight into two core components of this evaluation: Peer Harm Reduction Service Delivery – Bass in the Grass 2025 The report quantifies the reach and activity of the peer harm reduction service during NT’s biggest single-day music festival, Bass in the Grass festival, offering key data on support provided to patrons. Festival Patron Surveying – 2023 to 2025 Through pre- and post-festival surveys, Menzies engaged with festival patrons to understand experiences and attitudes relating to sexual violence, alcohol and drug behaviours and prosocial bystanding behaviours, which has been tracked over three years (2023 – 2025). Click here to download the full report.

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF), in collaboration with SHARC and Harm Reduction Victoria, has launched a powerful new resource focused on Lived and Living Experience (LLE) in the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) sector. As momentum grows across Australia for meaningful and ongoing LLE involvement, this resource highlights the vital role that people with lived or living experience play across all areas of health and social support, including strategy and policy development, research, education and training, leadership, program design and service delivery. This new resource offers practical insights and guidance on: What LLE is and why it matters The variety of roles people with LLE hold across Australia How their unique expertise can drive better outcomes for individuals and communities Key considerations for engaging LLE meaningfully and ethically in your work Whether you're a service provider, policymaker, educator or working in program design, this resource is a must-read to ensure your approach is informed, inclusive and reflective of real-world experience. View the resources here .

NCCRED recently hosted a webinar titled “ Digital interventions for methamphetamine use and First Nations people ”. The session began with an overview of a four-phase project with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. During the data collection phase, qualitative and quantitative data were gathered from 736 participants aged 16 and above (median age 34), 60% of whom identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. These insights informed the development of community-led prevention strategies and a web-based app, “Wada Wanti: Leave the Ice Alone”. The app content is based on evidence-based approaches including cognitive-behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, emotional regulation techniques and relaxation strategies. The digital interventions can be used independently or integrated by workers in a range of service settings, including primary care and AOD treatment sessions.  The webinar concluded with a panel discussion and Q&A session. The recorded webinar is available here .

Barod, an AOD service based in Wales (United Kingdom), recently published a guide titled “Why language matters” which was developed alongside people with lived and living experience of substance use. The authors note that when it comes to substance use, language can either reinforce stigma or foster understanding. They explain that dehumanising and derogatory words like “addict”, “clean”, or “chaotic” can carry judgment, shame, and blame — and can stop people from seeking the support they need. The authors suggest when we choose our words with care, we help create a culture of dignity, inclusion, and hope. This guide provides a list of language to avoid, why, and acceptable alternatives to use. Although this guide was developed in Wales, we think much of the content applies to the Australian context. Visit the Barod website and download the guide here .

This study titled “Parent substance use and child-to-parent violence: A brief report” investigated the association between parental substance use and substance involved child to parent violence (SU-CPV) i.e. the young person is influenced by a substance. They found parental alcohol use was associated with an increased likelihood of SU-CPV. They suggest parental behaviours may influence the young person's behaviour, and this may be exacerbated by the disinhibiting impact of alcohol and unpredictability within the home environment. They also discuss that parental alcohol use could be a coping strategy for parents experiencing SU-CPV. Access the report here - Parent substance use and child-to-parent violence: A brief report

Tobacco use in Australia – including among young people - is at its lowest level in decades, largely due to effective public health strategies. However, a recent article in The Guardian suggests that the twice-yearly increases in tobacco excise may have reached the limit of their effectiveness. Rather than further reducing smoking rates, these ongoing tax increases may be contributing to the growth of the illicit tobacco market. The article examines the impactof continued excise increases and highlights the growing challenge posed by illicit tobacco sales in Australia, raising important questions about the future direct of tobacco control efforts. To read the full article, go to “Tobacco excise ha s passed a ‘tipping point’ and is fuelling black market, economists warn”

NAIDOC week starts this Sunday, 6th of July. It is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates both achievements of the past and the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of young leaders, the vision of communities, and the legacy of ancestors. 2025 also marks NAIDOC’s 50th year! To learn more about NAIDOC week, download promotional materials, and find events happening in your area, go to NAIDOC Week 2025 .

In an open letter sent to the Hon Lia Finocchiaro, Chief Minster of the Northern Territory (NT) today, more than 200 community leaders and representatives from community, health, Aboriginal and research organisations have called on the NT Government to keep in place measures that work to reduce alcohol-related harm. This includes retaining evidence-based harm minimisation policies, such as the Minimum Unit Price for a standard drink (or floor price) on alcohol and reduced trading hours for take-away liquor outlets. Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) Chief Executive, Dr John Paterson said, “Grog is something that hurts too many Territorians, and our government should be using every tool in the toolkit to keep people in our community safe and well. “Our message to the Chief Minister is clear: please listen to us and consult with communities who have experienced the damaging effects of alcohol firsthand. “We know all too well what happens when decisions are made without community engagement and consideration of the evidence. We can’t afford to take any backwards steps on alcohol.” Association of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies Northern Territory (AADANT) Executive Officer Stephanie Holmes said, "We’re calling on the Government to put Territorians’ health first by maintaining alcohol policies that are proven to reduce harm and help make our communities safer. “Measures that prevent unfettered access to alcohol, including the Minimum Unit Price and shorter take-away hours, reduce harm and save lives.” From July 2022 to early 2023, restricted area legislative provisions were allowed to lapse across the NT despite warnings from community leaders of the increased harm that would result. There was, as predicted, a very significant increase¹ in violence and other harm, especially to women. Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) CEO Caterina Giorgi said, “Just a few weeks ago following a National Cabinet meeting, every Chief Minister and Premier in Australia acknowledged the role that systems and industries play in exacerbating violence. “They also made a commitment to review their alcohol laws, and their impact on family and domestic violence victims in order to identify and share best practice and reforms. “Removing alcohol harm reduction measures will only increase harm. It will not make women and children in the Northern Territory safer.” Signatories to the open letter include: Dr John Paterson, Chief Executive, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory Stephanie Holmes, Executive Officer, Association of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies Northern Territory Dr Donna Ah Chee, Chief Executive Officer, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Dr John Boffa, People's Alcohol Action Coalition Alice Springs NT Sally Sievers, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Territory Council of Social Service Michael Rotumah, Chief Executive Officer, Larrakia Nation Rob McPhee, Chief Executive Officer, Danila Dilba Health Service A/Professor Robert Parker, President, Australian Medical Association NT Council Darryl Coulstock, Chief Executive Officer, Ampilatwatja Health Centre Aboriginal Corporation Melissa Hinson, Chief Executive Officer, Urapuntja Health Service Caterina Giorgi, Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education. Open letter: https://fare.org.au/nt-open-letter/ Media contact: Joanna Le | media@fare.org.au | 0402 265 145 Media outlets are requested to promote help-seeking information when reporting on alcohol and other drugs, in line with the Mindframe National Guidelines. Suggested wording relating this this media story: If you or someone you know needs support, please call Lifeline 13 11 14, 13YARN 13 92 76, the National 24/7 Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline 1800 250 015 or 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732. ¹Alcohol Policy and Alcohol related harm in Alice Springs - Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (caac.org.au)

30 September 2024 Media Release Urgent call to retain minimum unit pricing to protect the community As the new Finocchiaro Government considers major policy reform to protect the community, the Association of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies Northern Territory (AADANT) has called on the government to retain minimum unit pricing as a major evidence-based and cost effective policy to reduce alcohol related crime and harms. AADANT Executive Officer Stephanie Holmes said as alcohol-attributed death rates for Indigenous Territorians are ten times higher than the national average and two times higher for non-Indigenous Territorians, it was critical that the new government invest in effective alcohol policy reforms in the NT. “We welcome the new Finocchiaro Government and look forward to working collaboratively with them as they consider their approach to alcohol-related policy in the NT. “We note that the new government has been elected with a strong mandate to reduce alcohol-related social issues. “We urge the government to focus on alcohol policies with a strong evidence base and track record of making communities safer. “Minimum unit pricing is an example of a policy that has been highly successful in making the community safer, reducing alcohol-related harms and hospital admissions and saving taxpayers money. “Minimum unit pricing has resulted in a 14 per cent decline in alcohol-related assaults in Darwin. "Across the NT, minimum unit pricing has reduced alcohol-related emergency department presentations by 19 per cent.¹ "Minimum unit pricing protects the community from very cheap wine products pushed by the alcohol industry. Cask wine sales in Darwin halved after the minimum unit price was introduced."² Despite claims that minimum unit pricing had driven increases in the consumption of spirits, Ms Holmes said evidence does not support this claim. “There is no publicly available evidence that minimum unit pricing is linked to increased consumption of spirits. “The consumption of spirits was increasing before the introduction of minimum unit pricing, and spirit consumption increased in locations outside the NT where minimum unit pricing has not been introduced at all. “What minimum unit pricing has achieved is the reduction in consumption of low-cost high alcohol content products like cask wine. “And that has resulted in a reduction in alcohol-related assaults and alcohol-related hospital admissions. “We know that minimum unit pricing does not affect moderate drinkers but that the health impacts on heavy drinkers is significant. “Minimum unit pricing costs the government nothing to implement but saves taxpayers millions in reduced policing and health care costs. “Price policies are supported by strong evidence from all around the world. We understand that when alcohol prices drop, alcohol harms increase, and that’s why it's critical that we retain the minimum unit price." Ms Holmes said there was a direct relationship between cheap alcohol and increased alcohol-related harms and strongly cautioned the government against scrapping the policy. “We remain deeply concerned that if minimum unit pricing is scrapped, we’ll see significant increases in alcohol-related harms again. “Having been elected with a mandate to tackle law and order, the scrapping of minimum unit pricing leading to an increase in the availability of cheap cask wine, and the accompanying spike in alcohol-related harms would be contrary to both the government's and the community’s interests. “There is no doubt that scrapping minimum unit pricing in the NT will result in increased assaults, alcohol-related harms, and increased policing and hospital costs. “Instead of scrapping minimum unit pricing, the government should retain the policy and consider introducing indexation, as the legislation initially intended. “This would make an already successful policy even more effective than it currently is and would assist the Finocchiaro Government in delivering on its objectives of making the NT safer." Ms Holmes said she looked forward to working collaboratively with the government on these measures further. “We believe that the Finocchiaro Government and AADANT have the same objectives regarding alcohol policy. “We are both focused on keeping the community safe and reducing alcohol-related harms. “In pursuit of those important objectives, we encourage the government to focus on what works, what's keeping people safe, and what's reducing alcohol-related harms, based on the strong evidence we have on hand. “We strongly encourage the new government to keep minimum unit pricing in place.” Media contact: Darren Rodrigo 0414 783 405 The facts about minimum unit pricing in the Northern Territory Minimum unit pricing, alcohol-related assaults and hospital admissions. • The introduction of minimum unit pricing resulted in a 14 per cent decline in alcohol-related assaults in Darwin. • Across the NT, minimum unit pricing has reduced alcohol-related emergency department presentations by 19 per cent. • While Alice Springs only allows one cask wine to be purchased per person, no restrictions apply on purchasing cask wine in Darwin at all. This means it is likely that cask wine sales and associated harms will spike if minimum unit price is removed. • Based on evidence from other jurisdictions, retaining minimum unit pricing in the Northern Territory will reduce alcohol-related deaths.³ Minimum unit pricing and spirit consumption • There is no evidence that the minimum unit pricing has driven increased spirit use. Spirit consumption increased before the introduction of minimum unit pricing and increased in locations where minimum unit pricing had not been introduced. • International evidence globally demonstrates that the introduction of minimum unit pricing shifts alcohol consumption from high-strength to low-strength products. Scotland saw a shift of 3-8%, the Northern Territory 6-8%, and Wales 9%.⁴ 1 Evaluation of Minimum Unit Price of Alcohol in the Northern Territory – Frontier Economics - 2022 2 Taylor, N., Miller, P., Coomber, K., Livingston, M., Scott, D., Buykx, P., & Chikritzhs, T. (2021). The impact of a minimum unit price on wholesale alcohol supply trends in the Northern Territory, Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 45(1), 26-33. 3 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)00497-X/fulltext 4 Menzies School of Health Research study in partnership with Peter Miller and team of Deakin University