Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre specialises in the analysis of alcohol and drug use and related harms data at state and regional levels, such as Local Government Areas (LGAs), primary care partnership areas, and health regions. These evidence-based analyses, or ‘consultancies’, of local substance use and harms have been used to:

• Inform the development of local action plans
• Contribute to the evaluation of local area public health policy and planning
• Design intervention strategies
• Advocate for additional funding for services and infrastructure to serve local populations

The use of existing data sources is a cost effective means of examining the extent of area-based substance use and related harms. Consultancy reports have been produced to address a range of substance use related harms for alcohol, tobacco and/or illicit substances.

Consultancies are tailored to meet local needs. Working with an experienced Turning Point consultant, the local coordinator identifies data most suited to meet local area objectives. With experience gained from over ten years in the analysis of existing data related to substance use and related harms, Turning Point provides the expertise to analyse data and report results. Additionally, consultancy investigators have the capacity to conduct key informant interviews, design and administer questionnaires, and analyse and report these new data.

To learn more about this service and to discuss service fees, contact Sharon Matthews on 03 8413 8410 or email sharon.matthews@turningpoint.org.au

Completed consultancies include: City of Greater Geelong; City of Maribyrnong, Roadsafe Inner Melbourne Community; City of Melbourne; South West Healthy Communities; Hume Region and City of Greater Shepparton; City of Greater Dandenong; City of Yarra; Hobsons Bay City Council.

Recent consultancies

Matthews, S. (2007). The City of Greater Geelong Alcohol and Drug Profile: A Local and Regional Analysis 2002-03 to 2004-05. Paper presented at the City of Greater Geelong Alcohol and Drug Network, Geelong.

Matthews, S. (2007). The City of Melbourne Alcohol and Drug Profile. Invited presentation to the City Safety Leadership Committee, Melbourne.

Laslett, A.-M. and Matthews, S. (2006). Overview of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Trends in Hume Region. Paper presented at the Implementation Update, Hume Region Alcohol And Other Drugs Strategic Plan, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Benalla.

Matthews, S. (2006). The City of Greater Geelong Alcohol and Drug Profile: A local and regional analysis 2003-03 to 2004-05. Final report to the City of Greater Geelong.

Matthews, S. (2006). The Hume Region Alcohol and Drug Profile: A local and regional analysis (2001-02 to 2003-04). Paper presented at the Hume Region Drug Action Committee, Wangaratta.

Matthews, S. (2006). The Hume Region and City of Greater Shepparton Alcohol and Drug Profile: A Local and Regional Analysis 2001-02 to 2003-04. Paper presented at the City of Greater Shepparton Public Health Plan Subcommittee, Shepparton Council Offices.

Matthews, S., Grant, B. and Barratt, M. (2006). Alcohol & Drug Profile: South West Healthy Communities Program (Local government areas of Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne, Southern Grampians, Warrnambool). Final report to South West Healthy Communities Program.

Matthews, S., Grant, B. and Clemens, S. (2006). City of Melbourne: Emerging Drug Trends 2002 to 2005 Final report to City of Melbourne.

Matthews, S., Barratt, M., Grant, B., Cvetkovski, S. and Clemens, S. (2005). City Of Yarra Drug Profile. Final report to City of Yarra.

Matthews, S., Barratt, M., Grant, B., Cvetkovski, S., Clemens, S. and Laslett, A.-M. (2005). Reporting Drug Related Harm in the City of Greater Dandenong. Final report to City of Greater Dandenong.

Matthews, S., Grant, B., Barratt, M. and Clemens, S. (2005). The Hume Region and City of Greater Shepparton Alcohol and Drug Profile: A Local and Regional Analysis 2001-02 to 2003-04. Final report to the Hume Region and City of Greater Shepparton.

Matthews, S., Grant, B., Cvetkovski, S. and Barratt, M. (2005). Drug & Alcohol Related Harms Within The Roadsafe Inner Melbourne Community. Final report to RoadSafe.

Dietze, P., Cvetkovski, S., Matthews, S. and Clemens, S. (2004). Hobson Bay City Council Drug and Alcohol Profile. Final report to Hobson Bay.

Cvetkovski, S., Dietze, P. and Matthews, S. (2003). City of Greater Dandenong: A framework for the ongoing reporting of drug related harm utilizing existing data sources. Final report to City of Greater Dandenong.

Cvetkovski, S., Donath, S. and Dietze, P. (2002). City of Greater Dandenong: Update of Drug and Alcohol Data, January 2002. Final report to City of Greater Dandenong

Dietze, P. and Matthews, S. (2002). Assessment of alcohol and drug related harms within the RoadSafe Inner Melbourne community. Final report to RoadSafe.