Parents are the not-so-secret weapon in tackling teen vaping.
A recent study commissioned by VicHealth has shown parents and carers hold more power and influence in tackling teen vaping than they might realise.
The VicHealth research found one in three teenagers have tried vaping and one in five are currently vaping.
A special information session – Clear the Air – will be held at the Lighthouse Theatre on September 12 to equip parents and carers with the facts and tips they need to have informed conversations with young people about vaping.
Clear the Air will feature Dr James Durl, a researcher with Blurred Minds, a leading organisation in drug and alcohol education.
“Saying ‘vaping is bad’ is not enough,” Dr Durl said.
“One-dimensional messages about vaping fail to engage or convince students.
“Straightforward slogans like “just say no” or “vaping is bad” fall flat with today’s students.
“These oversimplified messages don’t address the complexity of vaping or give students the depth of information they need.
“Young people are savvier than we often give them credit for – they want real facts and honest discussions, not just rules to follow.”
Warrnambool Mayor Cr Ben Blain said Clear the Air was a great opportunity to gain insights into why teenagers try vaping and how parents can be informed and ready to provide accurate advice and support.
“It’s reassuring for parents and carers to know that they can still exert a strong, positive influence over the young people in their lives who are at an age when they are often seeking greater independence,” Cr Blain said.
“But the research shows, encouragingly, parents and carers continue to be key players in helping young people make healthy choices.”
The evening will also include a Q and A session with local representatives from youth services, health care, schools and young people.
Clear the Air is a partnership with Brophy, DARE (Drug and Alcohol Responding Early), South West HealthCare, VicHealth, the Barwon South West Public Health Unit and WRAD Health.
Admission to Clear the Air is free but people are encouraged to register their attendance via the Lighthouse Theatre website: www.lighthousetheatre.com.au
Clear the Air – facts for informed conversations about vaping
When: Thursday, September 12, 5.30pm
Where: Lighthouse Theatre
Register: www.lighthousetheatre.com.au
A new art therapy and nutrition skills program is being incorporated in the Sliding Doors non-residential alcohol and other drug rehabilitation program
Nourishing Recovery will enhance the recovery journey of participants and has received funding from the Wanless Family Fund, a sub fund of the Australian Communities Foundation.
The art therapy project will consist of a five-weekly session conducted by a professional artist who has lived experience of mental illness and substance use who has been in recovery for several years and now delivers artistic skills to participants to aid in building confidence and self-esteem.
The cooking program will consist of a weekly cooking session and dietitian education session that culminates in using a community-based kitchen facility to cook meals that are affordable on low income and also meet basic nutritional requirements.
The program will provide participants with a creative outlet for self-expression and emotional exploration, enhance their self-awareness and self-esteem, promote relaxation and stress reduction, and foster personal growth and empowerment.
In a world where fully bulk-billing clinics are becoming a thing of the past, WRAD Health is determined to continue providing free medical care.
As one of only two fully bulk-billing medical clinics in Warrnambool, WRAD Health faces challenges in ensuring the service’s viability but says it’s important that is stays for the community.
The clinic is used by about 2700 people each year for general medical support and now has eight doctors on staff.
While other local medical clinics offer mixed billing, only WRAD Health and Gunditjmara are fully bulk billing. Australia has reportedly lost more than 400 dedicated bulk-billing GP clinics in the past year.
A Guardian Australia analysis of bulk billing only clinics on the Healthdirect service finder GP database between 2023 and 2024 found 455 GP clinics switched from fully bulk billing to a mix of bulk billing and out-of-pocket fees in the year to February.
In addition, 114 bulk-billing clinics were no longer on the register, having either closed or been removed for other reasons. However, 124 clinics switched from mixed billing to fully bulk billing, while 35 new dedicated bulk-billing clinics were added to the register.
WRAD Health’s determination to stick with bulk billing comes despite tough financial challenges.
CEO Mark Powell said the organisation’s mission was to provide accessible services to the local community.
“We’re a not-for-profit organisation and running bulk billing practices are a service to the community first and foremost, ensuring access to healthcare for those vulnerable people unable to pay out of pocket,” he said.
“We want to be as accessible as we can to the community and believe that bulk billing is one way of achieving that. Access to free healthcare given the current financial pressures means people can get medical care in a timely way.
“It can prevent the need for more costly healthcare such as going to hospital.”
Mr Powell said he was aware of cases where people had avoided going to a doctor because they were worried about costs but eventually had to go to hospital to have the problem treated.
Bulk billing clinics increase accessibility to affordable health care, encourage regular health check-ups, support vulnerable people and families, a comprehensive care approach to chronic disease management, and reduce healthcare costs.
“Especially in regional areas like Warrnambool, where income levels may vary and access to healthcare can be limited, bulk billing practices play a crucial role in providing necessary medical care to a larger portion of the population.”
Despite the importance of bulk-billing clinics, more are finding it is no longer financially viable to be bulk-billing-only general practitioners.
WRAD Health says the community can play its part in retaining this local service. “It’s nice for the local community to know there is a bulk billing service here. That’s something for the community to be proud of and support,” Mr Powell said.
He admitted maintaining the clinic was challenging. “We are covered through Medicare for the doctor’s time but there are other aspects of a consult that aren’t funded,” Mr Powell said.
“If the community wants the services of WRAD Health to grow, it needs to show its support. If people value having this free service in the community, they can donate by contacting info@wrad.org.au.
Mr Powell said there were still misconceptions about WRAD Health, with some people not realising it is a general medical clinic.
“The change of name from Western Region Alcohol and Drug Centre to WRAD Health was to address that and show we are delivering more general health care,” he said.
“The medical practice runs as a general medical practice and people attend for a vast array of medical reasons including mental health concerns, management of chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory diseases, skin health checks, sexual and reproductive health, procedures and immunisations.”
Mr Powell also laid to rest any misconception that bulk billing GP services are not as good as clinics that charge gap fees.
“We have well-respected and experienced doctors who have been in the community for many years and we reinvest in their knowledge and development. The service here is as good as any clinic.”
WRAD Health has eight full and part-time doctors and also hosts GP registrars. “The feedback from our doctors is that they love working here. They appreciate what we are trying to achieve for the community and find it a positive environment to work in.”
WRAD Health is also a strong supporter of training and development and regularly hosts registrars and doctors in training.
For Mr Powell, providing affordable care to the community is part of the attraction of WRAD Health.
“Personally, I really enjoy working for an organisation that has these kinds of values and is working to support the community and the feedback from patients is also very positive.
“People appreciate that they can seek the care they need without worrying about financial barriers.”
Additional information: Gunditjmara provides fully bulk billing services and headspace is fully bulk billing for people aged under 25.
“I am beyond disappointed that The Lookout has once again been overlooked in the 2024-25 Victorian State Budget but remain committed to making this essential residential rehabilitation facility a reality.
This disappointment is in my capacity as CEO of WRAD Health and also as a former Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Clinician, where I know the absence of this facility will cost lives and continue to tear apart families.
But I will not lose hope. The Lookout represents a beacon of hope for individuals struggling with addiction in south-west Victoria. With the support of government funding and community stakeholders, we can transform lives, strengthen communities, and pave the way towards a brighter, healthier future for all.
I stand ready to continue these conversations so that instead of community disappointment again in 12 months’ time, we are sitting down with architects to make The Lookout a reality.
I will continue working with the Victorian State Government to ensure The Lookout is a reality in the 2025-26 State Budget.
The need for a dedicated AOD Residential Rehabilitation facility in south-west Victoria has been evident for more than a decade. WRAD Health has been pursuing the development of The Lookout for more than seven years, driven by a comprehensive demand analysis that underscores the urgency for such a facility in the Great South Coast region. It is well supported by a range of community services and community members with more than $1 million pledged or donated to get this project off the ground.
The statistics paint a stark picture of the challenges faced by our communities.
In 2023, WRAD Health’s AOD clinical services delivered 826 treatment episodes, with alcohol being the primary drug of concern for 53% of cases. Unfortunately, demand outweighs treatment provision.
Health perspective data from 2012-2021 shows;
• There were 8,302 hospitalisations where drugs were the main reason for admission in Warrnambool, Southern Grampians, Glenelg, Corangamite and Moyne.
• For a similar time period there were 5,844 alcohol and drug related ambulances attendances across Warrnambool Moyne, Glenelg, Corangamite, and Southern Grampians.
Further, there were 2,173 deaths related to alcohol and illicit drugs within the Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne, Southern Grampians and Warrnambool areas. These numbers do not reflect road deaths, but where is our ‘Towards Zero’ campaign?
Criminality has also seen an increase. In Warrnambool we have seen an overall 13.8% increase in offending with rates of Family Violence up 18.5%, higher than state average with women 81% of the affected family members. Incidents involving assault are up, incidents involving breach of family violence orders are up, drug possession is up. Similarly in Glenelg, increased rates of breach of FV order and drug possession as well criminal damage.
The absence of a dedicated AOD Residential Rehabilitation facility exacerbates these issues, leaving individuals and families without access to the crucial support they need to overcome addiction. Without proper intervention, the cycle of substance misuse perpetuates, leading to further strain on healthcare systems, law enforcement, and social services.
The Lookout, spearheaded by WRAD Health, aims to address this pressing need by providing evidence-based, proven treatment in a supportive and therapeutic environment. By offering comprehensive programs tailored to individual needs, including counselling, medical services, and supported accommodation, the facility will empower individuals to reclaim their lives and reintegrate into society without the need to return to substance use.
Despite repeated calls and extensive efforts, the lack of commitment from government bodies to support the establishment of the facility is deeply concerning. It is imperative that stakeholders recognise the urgency of the situation and allocate the necessary resources to bring this vital project to fruition.”
Injecting room campaigner to inspire Warrnambool residents
One of the leading campaigners behind the creation of a medically supervised injecting room in Richmond hopes to inspire Warrnambool residents to keep up their campaign for the Lookout residential rehabilitation centre.
WRAD Health and the Warrnambool Library and Learning Centre will host author Judy Ryan at the library from 5-6.30pm on Tuesday, April 16.
It is first in a new series of “Sticky Subjects” panel discussions at the library that will invite the public to explore their way of thinking about complex issues.
Ms Ryan says her message is simple – if she can identify a problem and do something about it, so can others. “I will tell my story as an accidental activist and then throw it open to the audience – is there an issue here and is there something you can do about it?”
During her Warrnambool presentation, Ms Ryan will be joined by WRAD Health CEO Mark Powell and program manager for Brophy Family and Youth Services’ youth AOD program DARE, Jess Moloney, who will talk about the local drug and alcohol situation.
Ms Ryan said the campaign for the Lookout residential rehabilitation centre was a great example where “people can become activists without marching up and down the street”.
“It can be as easy as contacting your local politician; we can change the world just by doing that.”
Ms Ryan released her book ‘You Talk We Die’ last year, received an OAM in 2022 for services to community health and has been awarded a Churchill Fellowship to travel overseas in late 2024 to learn how drug-impacted communities engage governments to save lives using health-based solutions.
She said Warrnambool people could follow her lead in successfully campaigning for a much-needed health facility.
Originally from country Victoria, after raising her family Ms Ryan moved to Melbourne in 2012 and saw a problem and realised something needed to happen.
“I’d lived in Richmond in the late 70s and knew there were drugs, but after we moved here in 2012, I was totally shocked at the extent of the public health crisis. We couldn’t get in or out of our homes because someone had overdosed. Non-medical people like me were going up to people who were slumped over to see if they have a pulse, ring 000 and stay with them until the ambos came.
In 2016 she came home and found a young man collapsed at her back gate. “That was my turning point. People are dying in our streets and no-one is doing anything. I said `they’ should do something and my husband John Riddiford said `who’s they’?
“I didn’t see the people with addiction as junkies; I saw them as someone’s child or grandchild that needed some help.”
Ms Ryan googled heroin overdose deaths and saving lives and found the Sydney injecting room. “I thought, that’s what we need in Richmond…but what could I do?”
She stood as an independent local government candidate on the single issue of a supervised injecting facility in Richmond and polled better than expected, giving her a mandate to continue. She visited the Sydney injecting room and found it treated people with respect, kept them alive and offered them support to get off drugs.
“I brought together a group of people I met during the election campaign and we ran community forums and a rally in 2017. It was a great community building experience and that changed the government’s mind, along with three coroners’ reports recommending a facility.”
The safe injecting room opened as a trial in 2018 and became permanent in 2023.
Despite some negativity, Ms Ryan says it has been a success. “Trained staff have managed nearly 8,000 overdoses, with no deaths in the facility. Two independent reviews have been very positive. Generally speaking, people living near the facility are pleased as it has reduced the amount of people injecting, overdosing and dying in their gardens and carports.”
Ms Ryan is also involved in the campaign for another supervised injecting room in the Melbourne CBD.
She says it’s up to local communities to push for facilities if they’re needed. “It’s about evidence,” she said. “There’s no use sending country people to other areas for support. People need to be near their families to get the support they need. It just doesn’t work to send someone from the country to Melbourne.”
For bookings visit:
https://warrnamboollibrary.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/EVSESENQ?SETLVL=&RNI=790979
or contact the library on 5559 4990.
Speaking on the eve of International Family Drug Support Day on February 24, Mr Powell said WRAD Health strongly supported the engagement of families and recognised the important role they play in the care and treatment of anyone struggling with substance disorders.
He backed calls from Family Drug Support (FDS), for more recognition of the voice of families.
Founder and CEO of FDS, Tony Trimingham OAM, who started the organisation after the death of his son Damien 25 years ago, said it was now abundantly clear that the national drug policy debate was missing a critically important voice – families.
“When a family member is badly impacted by substance use, it can break you. It can break relationships. It can break families. Broken families weaken communities and are often hard to see, because we’re all very good at hiding the issue.
“It appears everyone has a say on our current drug policies, including politicians, police, religious leaders and media commentators, yet families are too often left out of these discussions, despite being the people, along with the people using drugs, most affected by the current policies.”
Mr Trimingham said that in FDS’s recent Voices to be Heard Survey of more than 600 family members affected by someone else’s drug and alcohol use, families were unambiguous about their deep dissatisfaction with the status quo regarding drug policy.
“This was especially the case with the zealousness of government to pursue the punitive responses rather than those of compassion, which are far more effective in reducing harm and exacerbating problems for families.”
In looking at the results of the survey, families overwhelmingly support the following: • Needle & syringe programs (87.5%) • Pill testing services (85.7%) • Pharmacotherapy (methadone, buprenorphine etc.) programs (86.3%) • Medically supervised injecting centres (83.1%) • Medicinal cannabis (83.9%) • Prescription heroin programs (74.8%)
In addition, families wanted to see resources allocated to harm reduction strategies by a factor of almost 7:1 when compared to law enforcement strategies.
The reality being experienced by families from the extraordinarily harmful legal consequences of drug use resulted in families overwhelmingly supporting the legalisation of cannabis and strongly supporting the decriminalisation of all currently illicit drugs.
Furthermore, it is also clear that families often try tough love approaches (60%) when trying to deal with drug and alcohol issues with family members but find them to be ineffective and problematic. As a result, families become far more in favour of strategies that encourage connection and coping (86%), with as few as 10% continuing to support tough love approaches.
Mr Powell said the survey shows families support a harm reduction approach. “They recognise that a punitive approach to people with addiction is unhelpful and doesn’t engage them into treatment, creating even greater risk.
“This is echoed people working in the field.”
WRAD Health has been facilitating groups for families for several years and recognises the impact and distress families face and some of the barriers to treatment for them including feelings of anger, guilt, shame and stigma.
“Hopefully days such as IFDS bring a spotlight to their experiences and further breakdown those barriers,” Mr Powell said.
WRAD Health continues to support and advocate for focused interventions for families and significant others of someone using substances.
WRAD Health is concerned that parents need more information on alcohol in response to the Australia Drug Foundation’s new report http://tinyurl.com/mu9demcj
Alcohol is the number one primary substance use issue for people in south-west Victoria and has remained so year-on-year.
WRAD Health CEO Mark Powell said alcohol was an embedded part of our culture so parents and care givers need to be armed with the right information.
The report found nearly two-thirds (65%) of Australian high school students in 2022/23 reported having ever consumed alcohol, including a few sips. Overall, 44% had consumed an alcoholic drink in the past year, 22% had drank in the past month, and around one-in-10 (11%) said they had consumed alcohol in the past week.
Of the 11% who drank in the past week (classified as ‘current drinkers’):
WRAD Health, along with a number of other key agencies, has embarked on a campaign to educate the community on the NHMRC guidelines for alcohol consumption; no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks in any one occasion as a safer level of consumption.
Mr Powell said he was very concerned at the figure of 11% of young people drinking weekly. “That is a figure that requires much further understanding as there may be many reasons for such regular use that we know is high risk for a number of adverse outcomes,” he said.
Any parents who are concerned around having the conversation feel free to contact WRAD Health for more information or if you want to know more about the programs that WRAD Health offers can call 55 645 777 or email wrad@wrad.org.au or visit www.wrad.org.au
Some tips for families;
Talking to teenagers about alcohol is an important and potentially challenging conversation. Here are some tips to help parents approach this topic:
Choose the right time. Don’t do this when the have just come home after drinking session or have all their mates around putting pressure on them. Choose a time when everyone is calm and not in the midst of other activities or distractions.
Be Open and Approachable: Approach the conversation with a non-judgmental and open attitude. Make it clear that you are there to listen and understand their perspective and that this is not going to be a “lecture”. Use “I” statements to express your feelings and concerns, rather than sounding accusatory.
Share Information: Provide factual information about the risks and consequences of alcohol use, including both short-term and long-term effects. Use the NHMRC guidelines as a talking point such what you do you know about standard drinks? What do you think about only having 4 standard drinks on any one occasion? Share any personal experiences or stories that might emphasize the importance of responsible drinking.
Set clear expectations: Clearly communicate your expectations regarding alcohol use, especially if your teenager is approaching the legal drinking age. Emphasize the importance of responsible and moderate drinking, if they choose to drink at all.
Discuss Peer Pressure Address the issue of peer pressure and discuss strategies for resisting it. Encourage them to make decisions based on their own values and beliefs.
Talk about boundaries and safety: Discuss the importance of setting and respecting personal boundaries, as well as looking out for the safety of themselves and their friends when in situations involving alcohol.
Encourage open conversations; Let your teenager know that they can come to you with questions or concerns about alcohol at any time. Encourage open and honest communication.
Be a good role model Demonstrate responsible drinking behaviour yourself, as teenagers often learn from the examples set by their parents. If you don’t drink, explain your reasons for abstaining, reinforcing the idea that it’s a personal choice.
Discuss Legal consequences Make sure your teenager understands the legal consequences of underage drinking. This may include legal trouble, potential fines, and the impact on their future opportunities.
Reinforce positive behaviour: I think this one is most important to notice and acknowledge the positive choices and behaviours our young people do as they will be more likely to repeat them. Positive reinforcement can be a powerful motivator.
WRAD Health has confirmed its new CEO with Mark Powell being formally appointed after seven months acting in the role.
Mr Powell had been interim CEO since July 1, 2023 after the retirement of Geoff Soma.
Board chair Helen Taylor said Mr Powell brought a wealth of experience in drug and alcohol treatment and mental health.
“During his period as acting CEO, Mark has displayed an ability to enthusiastically foster a positive team and introduce further network connections for WRAD Health,” Ms Taylor said.
“His work in family liaison has been immensely positive and supportive. Mark has a wonderful compassion for humankind and works tirelessly to achieve the best outcomes.”
Ms Taylor said Mr Powell was continuing to strive for the establishment of the Lookout Rehabilitation facility. “Mark communicates regularly with the Department of Health, Local members, other residential rehabilitation centres, Philanthropic groups, VAADA, and collects data to drive our dream,” she said.
Mr Powell, who had worked in the role one day a week in the lead-up to Mr Soma’s retirement and has been acting in the position full-time since July 1, 2023, said he embraced the challenge.
“For many years I have been a clinician delivering services to people, so moving into the role of CEO was a big change of focus but I’ve really embraced leading an agency that does a tremendous job for the community,” Mr Powell said.
“I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to help influence change and the ability to connect with the community, other agencies, peak bodies and departmental heads which doesn’t happen so much in a clinical role but has been a real benefit.”
Mr Powell said he was enjoying the opportunity to talk to local community groups about the role of WRAD Health and to build on the organisation’s positive reputation.
“That has been rewarding because we want to get a message to the community that change is possible,” he said. “I get a lot of good questions about what we do and the services we offer and people appreciate the services we offer.”
Mr Powell said he was keen to continue delivering a service that meets the complex health needs of people across the region. “We’re constantly looking at ways we can grow our service offerings,” he said.
“We now offer psychological services, dietitian, dual diagnosis programs as well as expanded bulk billing medical services. One good example is a program connecting with homeless people that removes some of the barriers to them accessing treatment.
“Ultimately, we want to be a service that is responsive to people with all types of complex health needs.”
Mr Powell said he was proudly taking up the mantle to lead the drive for the Lookout Rehabilitation Centre. “The community supports this project and we’re not dropping the baton on it,” he said.
Mr Powell joined WRAD Health in 2019 as Senior Alcohol and Other Drug Clinician before moving into the role of Operations Manager in 2020.
He has worked in mental health and alcohol and other drug fields for more than 30 years.
Chris Kendall is continuing as interim operations manager in addition to his role as clinical coordinator.
WRAD Health is now proudly displaying a special painting of Patron Ruby Hunter, kindly donated Ruby’s friend artist Bindii Cody Nappangarttii Smith and her brother Eric Richards.
Ruby was posthumously made a Patron of WRAD Health last year, joining her late partner and fellow musician Archie Roach.
This painting serves as a living tribute, to the spirit of Ruby Hunter. Ruby was a trailblazer in the world of music and a beacon of strength, resilience and creativity and a source of inspiration for generations to come.
Ruby’s brother Eric Richards endorsed the artwork, saying it reflected a deep appreciation for what his sister represents in her journey and a desire to share her legacy with the world.
Bindii is a truly gifted artist whose brushstrokes bring stories to life and WRAD Health appreciates the generosity of this donation to celebrate Ruby’s enduring impact.
Emergency call 000
For medical issues call South West Healthcare 55 631666
For mental health issues call SWH emergency dep't 55 631 666 or 1800 808 284
For drug and alcohol issues call Directline 1800 888 236
For Lifeline call 13 11 14
Or click on the links below for help.
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