Koori Youth
Alcohol and Drug
Healing Service

Ngwala Willumbong Co-operative Ltd, the largest Koori drug and alcohol service provider in the state, and the Youth Substance Abuse Service (YSAS), a specialist provider of youth alcohol and drug treatment services in Victoria, are working in partnership to implement a statewide Koori Youth Alcohol and Drug Healing Service. This partnership builds on already established relationships and a commitment to providing a culturally appropriate, professional and effective service to Koori young people. A management team comprising representatives from Ngwala and YSAS has been established to oversee the project team of senior Ngwala and YSAS staff. A Cultural Program Advisory Committee comprising representatives from VACCHO, VACSAL, Department of Justice, a respected community member, Ngwala and YSAS will advise the project team.

This is the first service of its kind in Australia which will enable Koori young people to experience real opportunities to:

• deal with their alcohol and drug issues;
• strengthen their identity;
• provide guidance in reaching their potential and future goals;
• identify and develop their skills and talents; and,
• acknowledge and recognise the value they offer their communities.

The Koori Youth Alcohol and Drug Healing Service will be a 12 bed residential rehabilitation service for Koori people 15 – 20 years of age with alcohol and other drug-related problems. An interim 6 bed facility is scheduled to open in August 2006, with the permanent facility to follow 12 to 18 months later. At this stage, the interim or permanent sites have not been decided.

Underpinning this culturally relevant service are the principles of a therapeutic community model which includes holistic approaches towards providing a safe, responsive, empathic and encouraging environment for both residents and staff. The guiding principles of the Koori Youth Alcohol and Drug Healing Service will be Ngwala’s and YSAS’ practice frameworks, which are based on the social model of health, and include holistic frameworks, a proactive and relationship based model of engagement, and a health promoting and learning/evolving approach.

The program will include and integrate aspects of Koori culture with a focus on individual and peer learning, and vary according to the background and cultural awareness of the individuals and the group.
The Koori Youth and Alcohol and Drug Healing Service will be inclusive of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people throughout Victoria.

To view the newsletters from the Koori Youth AOD Healing Service, please click here.

To download a copy of the Referral Form for the program. please click here

To go to the Virtual Tour of the Service, please click here