Our mission
DrugInfo Clearinghouse is a service provided by the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF). The core purposes of the ADF are to prevent drug problems and reduce drug-related harms; and to help people remain safe if, when and while they use drugs.
DrugInfo Clearinghouse functions as a drug prevention network, providing easy access to information about alcohol and other drugs, and drug prevention. Professionals and members of the general community can use the service as their first port of call for information from local, national and international sources.
As a clearinghouse, DrugInfo collects, interprets and disseminates information on drug prevention. We do this through an integrated service comprising:
- DrugInfo Clearinghouse library and bookshop
- DrugInfo Clearinghouse website
- DrugInfo Clearinghouse publications.
Services
DrugInfo Clearinghouse offers a range of services, including many free information products, a special library, a telephone and email information service, a website, and email alert services for people interested in drug prevention.
The DrugInfo Clearinghouse library has the most comprehensive alcohol and drug collection in Victoria. Anyone with an interest in drug and alcohol issues can browse the library. Library membership is free to Victorians who work in the health, education, welfare, community, youth, justice and related sectors, and to postgraduate students. The library is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and can be visited at 409 King St, West Melbourne, Victoria.
Our drug prevention resources are updated regularly and sent out to DrugInfo Clearinghouse members free of charge. Every three months a range of new resources is published, focusing on a particular drug prevention strategy or issue. Each “suite” of resources includes:
Our bookshop operates through the DrugInfo Clearinghouse and brings together the best drug education and related materials from across Australia and internationally. Resources include videos, books, pamphlets, posters and CD-ROMs, covering a wide range of drug and health-related topics. We offer a 14-day, money-back guarantee on all our resources. Our full range can be browsed at the bookshop website, or you can receive our mailorder catalogue. Copies of most of our resources are also available through the library.
Quality assured information
DrugInfo Clearinghouse employs professional staff from disciplines including information management, psychology, youth work, community work, health promotion, education and communications.
Professional researchers from the Centre for Youth Drug Studies (CYDS) conduct the evaluation of the research (the evidence base) upon which DrugInfo Clearinghouse resources are based. High academic standards are maintained with the assistance of the Prevention Research Advisory Group, which includes well-established research scientists.
Who are DrugInfo Clearinghouse target audiences?
DrugInfo Clearinghouse primarily targets workers involved in drug prevention. This includes practitioners, researchers and policy makers from government (Federal, state and local) and non-government sectors, specifically those working in:
- Specialist alcohol and drug fields
- Generalist health and welfare
- Social and community services
- Youth services
- Education
- Justice
- Juvenile justice
- Law enforcement
- Workers with culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- Workers with Australian Indigenous communities.
The secondary target group includes:
- School students
- Parents
- Media
- Business.
How will I know what information is available from DrugInfo?
Visit this website regularly or subscribe to our email updates and alert service.
Funding
DrugInfo Clearinghouse is funded by the Victorian Government and the Premier's Drug Prevention Council (PDPC). Funding from the PDPC has enabled the Australian Drug Foundation to enhance and expand its Information Service to function as a clearinghouse.
Partnerships
An Advisory Partners’ Group assists in the ongoing development of the DrugInfo Clearinghouse. This helps to ensure that our services meet the needs of our key target groups. The Advisory Partners' Group includes representatives from the following peak bodies and key program areas/agencies:
How can I get involved?
If you are a worker with an interest in drug prevention, you can get involved by becoming a member of the DrugInfo Clearinghouse.
You can also provide feedback and contribute ideas about what would make the service more useful and relevant for you. If you are involved in a project, let us know about it so we can tell others in the field. You could also contribute to the DrugInfo newsletter. If you have produced a project report that relates to drug prevention, we would appreciate a copy for our library. Contact us by phone, fax or email, or drop in to our Resource Centre.
Contact details
Resource Centre
409 King Street, West Melbourne VIC 3003
Telephone 1300 85 85 84
Fax (03) 9328 3008
Email druginfo@adf.org.au
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