DHF Annual Report 2009 - NT Health Digital Library - Northern ...

Targeting Smoking, Alcohol andSubstance AbuseSmoking, alcohol and substance abuse affects thehealth and wellbeing of individuals and their families as the health and community service system. Tacklingsmoking, alcohol and substance abuse, and thedamage it causes, is a priority for the Departmentbecause of its imposts on all facets of health rangingfrom disease, injury, disability, family violence and childdevelopment, protection and care. Aboriginal peopleare at particular risk of smoking-related disease,including preventable chronic disease, because of theirhigh rates of smoking.Many Territorians consume alcohol at levels judged as risky in the long term. The alcohol attributable death rate ofAboriginal Territorians is more than eight times the national average, and twice that of non-Aboriginal people. Heavydrinkers and their families are more likely to experience alcohol-related violence, injury and illness.The Department has an important role in reducing the impact of substance abuse through the provision oftreatment and rehabilitation services, acute and primary health care and in providing family support and children’sprotection services. The agency also has a role to prevent substance related harm through the development andimplementation of effective legislation, policy, health promotion and education.We delivered in 2009-10The Department of Health and Families Smoke Free Policy came into effect on 1 July 2009 across allDepartment services, premises and grounds. It supports staff and patients to quit smoking through theprovision of smoking cessation courses and nicotine replacement therapy. Introduced changes to the Tobacco Control Regulations banning smoking in all enclosed public areas from 2January 2010, supported by a comprehensive public campaign.Provided improved protections from environmental tobacco smoke by amending the Tobacco Control Act andits Regulations to provide for restrictions on smoking in outdoor eating and drinking venues, prohibiting thedisplay of tobacco products at point of saleand to better monitor tobacco sales throughthe introduction of tobacco retail fees.Enhanced access to alcohol and other drugscreening, referral and interventions forpatients in Alice Springs and Royal DarwinHospitals by implementing the hospitalbased Interventions Project.Key focus areasDeveloping and delivering targeted health promotionand educational strategies and messages.Assisting in the development and implementationof effective legislation and policy, including having alegislative and clinical responsibility under the VolatileSubstance Abuse Prevention Act, Tobacco Control Actand the Poisons and Dangerous Drugs Act.Offering a range of treatment and rehabilitation services,acute and primary health care and family support andchild protection services.Partnered with the Department of Justice ona joint funded Menzies School of Health Research Substance Misuse Research Program to contribute to alocal knowledge and research base on alcohol and other drugs.Supported people to quit smoking through print advertising and airing two new television commercials aboutAdditional InitiativesPublished the Northern Territory Tobacco Action Plan2009-2012 as a framework to guide tobacco controlactivities and strategies across the Northern Territory.32Department Health and Families