Challenges for CALD Drug & Alcohol Service Delivery

Speech Delivered at the Drug Info Clearinghouse Seminar

Culturally and linguistically diverse communities and drug prevention: overcoming the barriers

October 30, 2007 Angliss Conference Centre, Melbourne

By Phong Nguyen Chairperson Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria

Introduction

My talk today will cover a range of topics in relation to prevention strategies and services for culturally and linguistically diverse communities in the areas of drugs and alcohol. I am very happy to be speaking here today as I have a longstanding interest in the area and have served on the Premiers Drug Prevention Council for a number of years in my capacity as Director of the Springvale Indo-Chinese Mutual Assistance Association.

But first, I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land, as well as any Indigenous Elders, past and present, in the room today.

There are three main points that I will cover today.

1. I would first like to take the opportunity to acknowledge some of the achievements and progress made in the area of drug and alcohol prevention and services for multicultural communities.
2. I will then consider some of the challenges ahead in terms of delivering culturally competent services to CALD communities in Victoria, with particular reference to our new and emerging communities.
3. Thirdly, I will outline some of the strategies and future directions that I see as necessary in the area of drugs and alcohol.

Much of what I have to say today in relation to drugs and alcohol and multicultural communities is neither original, new nor groundbreaking. Many of the issues and possible solutions that I wish to raise with you today have been identified in previous seminars, forums and reports.

Nonetheless, working towards addressing the challenges for culturally and linguistically diverse communities in the area of drugs and alcohol is important work.

And it is good to take the opportunity today to reflect on where we are now, what are the key challenges, and the end goal we are striving towards.

Download the full Challenges for CALD Drug & Alcohol Service Delivery (40 KB) speech.