The Youth Drug and Alcohol Clinical Support Network (YDACSN) provides clinical advice, education and training to service providers and professionals to support them in providing age-appropriate treatment to young people using alcohol or other drugs.
On this page:
What does YDACSN provide?
YDACSN consists of a virtually based team of specialist clinicians that provide:
- Clinical advice and support for professionals and service providers (both government and non-government) working with young people aged 10-18 years using alcohol or other drugs to a level that significantly impacts on their health or wellbeing
- Training, education, tools and resources to enhance the capacity of services to deliver a range of evidence-based alcohol and other drug interventions for young people
- Assistance with screening, assessment, care planning, treatment and care coordination for young people with complex needs
- Links to local services and referral pathways to support coordination of care between service providers
The Youth Drug and Alcohol Clinical Support Network is
not a referral service or helpline for young people. It is aimed at supporting service providers or professionals working with young people.
Who can access YDACSN?
YDACSN provides advice and support to staff from NGOs, government agencies, health services, community services, schools and youth services across Western NSW Local Health District via telephone or tele-health.
It is a free service.
If you are a service provider or professional that is engaged with a young person using alcohol or other drugs, or if you would like to build the capacity of your organisation in engaging with youth, you can contact the YDACSN team via phone on:
(02) 6369 7920 or email
WNSWLHD-YDACSN@health.nsw.gov.au
I need help with my drug or alcohol problem
If you would like help with your alcohol or other drug use, you can contact:
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The Western NSW Drug and Alcohol Helpline. The Helpline provides an intake service for referral to drug and alcohol services during business hours (8:30am-4:30pm, Monday to Friday). It is suitable for both adults and young people. The Helpline can be accessed by phone:
1300 887 000
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The Alcohol and Other Drugs Information Service (ADIS), which provides 24 hour, 7 day a week telephone counselling, support, referrals and information for those affected by alcohol or other drugs - Phone:
1800 250 015
Supporting a young person with an alcohol or drug problem
Service Providers
If you are a service provider, your service may be the first point of contact for a young person seeking help and you can play a role in supporting them through the system. YDACSN can provide advice, support and skill development to staff and professionals around talking to a young person about drug and alcohol use, conducting a screening and determining a support plan.
If you are working with a young person you can call YDACSN on
(02) 6369 7920 to seek advice on how to work with a young person and link them to appropriate support.
Family members, carers or friends
If you are a family member, carer or friend of a young person using drugs or alcohol, you can contact one of the following services for advice or support:
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Family Drug Support 24/7 Support Line, which provides 24 hour, 7 days a week telephone counselling, support, referrals and information to families impacted by someone’s drug use Phone: 1300 368 186
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Alcohol and Other Drugs Information Service (ADIS), which provides 24 hour, 7 day a week telephone counselling, support, referrals and information for those affected by alcohol or other drugs Phone:
1800 250 015
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WNSWLHD Drug and Alcohol Helpline, which provides an intake service for referral to drug and alcohol services during business hours, including triage for follow up by the respective referral service Phone:
1300 887 000
Further information for professionals working with young people and resources about alcohol and other drug use
can be found in the Resources section below.
More about YDACSN
Further information about YDACSN can be found in the following documents:
Resources
For young people, professionals and organisations working with young people.
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Information about alcohol & a wide range of drugs – effects, side effects, tolerance, withdrawal, overdose. Also has Aboriginal specific information. Factsheets can be downloaded and printed and a range of other resources are free and can be ordered.
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Service provided by the Alcohol & Drug Foundation that offers information about alcohol and other drugs and the prevention of related harms. Factsheets can be downloaded and printed and a range of other resources are free and can be ordered.
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Cannabis related information (including synthetic cannabinoids) – Factsheets can be downloaded and printed and a range of other resources are free and can be ordered.
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Self-Management & Recovery Training facilitator training manuals (costs apply), client worksheets can be downloaded and printed. Program information, meeting locations and training.
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Smoking cessation information including; Factsheets which can be downloaded and printed and other free resources including Quit Kits which can be ordered.
Also provide telephone contact/support for clients.
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Youth AOD Toolbox site contains current and reliable AOD information for all Youth Workers and other Practitioners working with young people who use drugs and alcohol including a range of evidence and literature that supports Youth Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) work for practitioners assisting young people to develop resilience and achieve their goal.
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The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney brings together world-leading researchers, clinicians and community to share skills, synergise data, harness new technologies and trial innovative programs for mental and substance use disorders. A key focus of research is on youth. The Centre offers a range of training opportunities for postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers.
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Information for families and carers
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To assist families throughout Australia to deal with alcohol and drug issues in a way that strengthens relationships and achieves positive outcomes.
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A mutual support group of peers who share their experience in applying the Al-Anon principles to problems related to the effects of a problem drinker in their lives. It is not group therapy and is not led by a counsellor or therapist; This support network complements and supports professional treatment.
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(Mon – Fri 9:00 am to 9:00 pm)
(Weekends 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm)
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Telephone counselling, information and referral service for parents of children ages 0 to 18 who live in New South Wales. Our service includes providing information and support about concerns about child development, disabilities and developmental delays.
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MensLine Australia is the national telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is available from anywhere in Australia and is staffed by professional counsellors, experienced in men’s issues.
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Information about Mental Health
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The National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds, along with assistance in promoting young peoples’ wellbeing.
This covers four core areas: mental health, physical health, work and study support and alcohol and other drug services.
eheadspace provides confidential support seven days a week between 9:00am and 1:00am
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Provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.
Also provide information on depression and anxiety which can be downloaded and printed. Many free resources can also be ordered.
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Aims to improve the lives of people affected by mental illness through the rapid translation of high quality research into improved clinical treatments, increased accessibility to mental health services and delivery of long-term public health solutions.
Provide fact sheets on depression and bipolar disorder to download and print including mood charts and other self-help information including checklists and self tests.
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We identify individuals living in rural and remote NSW who are experiencing or are at risk of developing mental health challenges, and link these people to appropriate mental health services and programs, so rural people get the help they need.
Increased social connectedness and inclusion
Community capacity to support each other in difficult times
Service preparedness and coordination to respond to adversity and disaster.
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An innovative, interactive web program designed to prevent depression. It consists of five modules, an interactive game, anxiety and depression assessments, downloadable relaxation audio, a workbook and feedback assessment.
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A resource repository created by and for people with an interest in co-occurring substance use-mental health concerns.
Have developed a range of Factsheets and clinical guidelines.
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