Biography

Biography: George Patriki

Abstract

With the growing drug problems in many communities, holistic healers and counsellors are needing to educate themselves about services, intervention programs and health options that are available to support their clients or the town they live in. That is exactly what the Optimal Health Group (OHG) and Australian Anti Ice Campaign (AAIC) does. We provide a range of services and present public community forums to educate local communities on the harm associated with ICE and other drugs and what positive steps they can take to improve the situation.

Our aim is to empower local communities by providing sustainable resources and processes from prevention to intervention. We begin with the public forum which provides cutting-edge education to raise awareness and insight for parents and members of the community. They are invited to be trained and these key members then come together to establish a Community Drug Action Team (CDAT) to tackle identified needs and gaps. Examples are always a great way for people to understand the process and potential of what we are offering. Here is what we did in the town of Yeppoon in 2016: Firstly, we had a forum and then invited members of the wider community to receive the dual diagnosis training. This led to a two day Dual Diagnosis Training being delivered in Rockhampton two months later. Twenty-three people attended representing community and key service providers. From those who attended the training selected representatives met the very next day to establish a working party in collaboration with the Primary Health Network.