Introduction: This guide aims to support workers and agencies working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people who use alcohol and other drugs. It is the fourth in a series of ‘Good Practice Guides’ developed by Dovetail in its role of providing professional support, resources and tools for youth and AOD workers in Queensland. Development of this guide acknowledges the particular knowledge, skills and approaches needed to successfully work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, their families and communities impacted by youth AOD use. The guide covers essential information for culturally secure practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, their families and their communities. It builds on the information contained in the three previous ‘Good Practice Guides’ published by Dovetail: Guide 01 A framework for youth alcohol and other drug practice; Guide 02 Legal and ethical dimensions of practice; Guide 03 Practice strategies and interventions.

Focus and content of the guide

This guide is focused on supporting good practice by workers and services who work to minimise the harm from alcohol and other drug use experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and their communities. Of course, not all AOD use by young people is problematic. ‘Problematic AOD use’ refers to when the young person or those close to them consider that their AOD use is having a negative effect on their physical or emotional health and wellbeing or is impacting their relationships, or is making it more difficult for them to live life as they want to. The guide provides information for workers in community and government services across a range of sectors as well as workers specifically employed to work with young people around AOD issues.

The guide focuses on the importance of understanding history and the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the need to build individual and organisational cultural awareness. The guide contains information to enhance workers’ understanding and approaches to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, as well as practical tools and case stories as examples of practice approaches.

It is acknowledged that information in the guide is broad and is not able to take into account the unique elements and histories of each Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community. It aims to complement the knowledge already held by many individuals and services while reminding workers new to a community of the need to gather cultural information about the specific community in which they work.

The guide encourages reflection and learning, and highlights the need to use opportunities for a positive impact on the lives of young people and their families and to maintain a sense of hope.