AOD Treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2018-22

North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) commissioned Dardi Munwurro to deliver alcohol and other drug (AOD) interventions, counselling and care coordination to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men accessing its Ngarra Jarranounith Place family violence program.  

Clients connected with a specialist AOD worker who assessed and helped them to access a withdrawal or rehabilitation service. The AOD worker visited and supported clients while they completed treatment, and then enabled their formal transition into Ngarra Jarranounith Place. 

Dardi Munwurro strives to build stronger families and safer communities. It delivers programs for Aboriginal men, young people and families, to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma in families and communities, by empowering and inspiring individuals to heal the past, acknowledge the present and create a positive vision for the future.  

The program provided culturally appropriate AOD support and avenues into the Ngarra Jarranounith Place family violence program for clients who were previously unable to access it due to untreated and unmanaged AOD issues.  

Other outcomes included:  

• convening of Narcotics Anonymous meetings at Dardi Munwurro’s Preston site 
• an increased focus in AOD services on providing access to crisis accommodation, food vouchers and transportation to those who need it 
• sustainable links to the justice sector. 

NWMPHN no longer commissions this program. However, Dardi Munwurro continues to support clients through other funding sources.