Naloxone
Australia’s first naloxone program training community in overdose identification and reversal.
The Connection
About The Connection
The Connection is a peer based service, run by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The service focuses on the needs of the Indigenous community in the ACT. The Connection aims to empower people to gain control of their health and wellbeing by providing culturally secure peer treatment support and case management services. Additionally, The Connection runs Indigenous groups focusing on consulting with local community and helping address identified needs. The Connection runs across all programs of CAHMA ensuring local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access culturally safe and secure services within CAHMA and the healthcare sector.
History
The Connection was born of community need in the early 2000’s when Indigenous people who use drugs got together and decided we needed a safe place to discuss issues that affected our community. Under the guidance of John Van Dugan, the first Manager of The Connection, the service grew to having 9 staff and operated groups in Bunberry Youth Detention centre. John Van Dugan went on to win the ACT Young Australian of the Year Award for his work on The Connection is 2006.
The Connection is now an integral part of CAHMA’s service provision offering and is the only peer based Indigenous drug user organisation in Australia.
