We encourage Local Drug Action Teams (LDATs) to link in with, or build on, established programs.
Be prepared to look outside the alcohol and other drug sector for possible approaches and partnerships, such as with pain clinics, pain management or mindfulness professionals, and nutritionists or healthy lifestyle specialists.
A limited number of activities are listed below. You may also find other activities through local health services, peak bodies and by drawing on local knowledge and networks you have access to.
Existing programs are being run in Australia by:
Setting objectives for your Community Action Plan activity is an important part of the planning process.
Refer to Set your objectives to assist in this process.
Some example objectives for action on Pharmaceutical Drugs and Your Community are provided below. You can develop your own objectives by engaging with your community to determine needs, although you may find these a useful starting point:
Strong partnerships are critical to your success in preventing pharmaceutical drug harms in the community. LDATs can work with a variety of different community partners to take effective action on pharmaceutical drugs. Your specific approach to tackling pharmaceutical drugs will influence the type of individuals, networks and organisations your group partners with. Conversely, the type of activity you undertake may be based on who you can partner with and the expertise they bring.
LDAT partners can support Pharmaceutical Drugs and Your Community activities in many ways, including delivering and promoting activities, recruiting individuals, providing expert facilitators, financial support, and much more.
Partners may include:
All alcohol and other drug activities need to be adequately resourced. Below is a list of the types of resources community organisations may need to take action on pharmaceutical drugs. This is not an exhaustive list, and LDATs should be mindful that the resources required will be influenced by the Community Action Plan activity being undertaken by your group.
Resources:
While you are planning your activity, it is important to consider measures of success for your activity. Determine how you will evaluate the success of your activity, linking your success measures to your objectives (see Measuring success).