Harm reduction is an approach to drug policy which promotes health, dignity and rights for everyone, regardless of which drugs they happen to be using.  Although it is part of Australia’s National Drug Strategy, the principles of Harm Reduction aren’t always obvious to those of us in the service system.  Chloe Span and the other members of Students for Sensible Drug Policy are working on changing that.

LINKS

Students for Sensible Drug Policy
https://www.ssdp.org.au

Harm Reduction:
“Harm reduction is grounded in justice and human rights. It focusses on positive change and on working with people without judgement, co-ercion, discrimination, or requiring that people stop using drugs as a condition of support.”
-    Harm Reduction International: https://hri.global/

Australia’s National Drug Strategy:
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-drug-strategy-2017-2026

Bob Hawke’s endorsement of his daughter:
https://www.facebook.com/news.com.au/videos/bob-hawke-tears-up-talking-about-his-daughter/1945347788910102/

Johann Hari: Chasing the Scream, Bloomsbury, UK, 2019
https://www.readings.com.au/product/9781526608369/9781526608369

Harm reduction is an approach to drug policy which promotes health, dignity and rights for everyone, regardless of which drugs they happen to be using.  Although it is part of Australia’s National Drug Strategy, the principles of Harm Reduction aren’t always obvious to those of us in the service system.  Chloe Span and the other members of Students for Sensible Drug Policy are working on changing that.
LINKS
Students for Sensible Drug Policy <a href="https://www.ssdp.org.au">https://www.ssdp.org.au</a> 
Harm Reduction: “Harm reduction is grounded in justice and human rights. It focusses on positive change and on working with people without judgement, co-ercion, discrimination, or requiring that people stop using drugs as a condition of support.” -    Harm Reduction International: <a href="https://hri.global/">https://hri.global/</a> 
Australia’s National Drug Strategy: <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-drug-strategy-2017-2026">https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-drug-strategy-2017-2026</a> 
Bob Hawke’s endorsement of his daughter: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/news.com.au/videos/bob-hawke-tears-up-talking-about-his-daughter/1945347788910102/">https://www.facebook.com/news.com.au/videos/bob-hawke-tears-up-talking-about-his-daughter/1945347788910102/</a> 
Johann Hari: Chasing the Scream, Bloomsbury, UK, 2019 <a href="https://www.readings.com.au/product/9781526608369/9781526608369">https://www.readings.com.au/product/9781526608369/9781526608369</a>

Social workers play a significant role collectively and individually dedicating themselves to achieving social justice, promoting inclusion and improving the wellbeing of individuals, families, groups and the most vulnerable members of our communities. AASW – Social Work People explores the diverse world of social work and connects listeners to the people driving change and providing advocacy on the issues that impact upon the quality of life of all Australians.

Social workers play a significant role collectively and individually dedicating themselves to achieving social justice, promoting inclusion and improving the wellbeing of individuals, families, groups and the most vulnerable members of our communities. AASW &ndash; Social Work People explores the diverse world of social work and connects listeners to the people driving change and providing advocacy on the issues that impact upon the quality of life of all Australians.

AASW – Social Work People Podcast

Social workers play a significant role collectively and individually dedicating themselves to achieving social justice, promoting inclusion and improving the wellbeing of individuals, families, groups and the most vulnerable members of our communities. AASW – Social Work Stories explores the diverse world of social work and connects listeners to the people driving change and providing advocacy on the issues that impact upon the quality of life of all Australians.

Social workers play a significant role collectively and individually dedicating themselves to achieving social justice, promoting inclusion and improving the wellbeing of individuals, families, groups and the most vulnerable members of our communities. AASW &ndash; Social Work Stories explores the diverse world of social work and connects listeners to the people driving change and providing advocacy on the issues that impact upon the quality of life of all Australians.

AASW Social Work People

Students for Sensible Drug Policy: Reducing harm by changing policy

Last month we brought you a repeat of our earlier conversation with Rosalie Pockett AM.  Just as we were planning to re-broadcast the follow up episode with her research partner, Kim Hobbs, Kim was named Allied Health professional of 2023 by Western Sydney, LHD.  When you listen to this conversation with her, you’ll understand why. Congratulations Kim!

Kim’s award:

https://thepulse.org.au/2023/11/23/since-1994-social-worker-kim-hobbs-has-been-dedicated-to-westmead-hospitals-gyaecological-cancer-patients-and-their-families/


Special Issue Australian Social Work Social Work and Cancer.
Editorial by Rosalie Pockett and Kim Hobbs   Free Access.  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0312407X.2021.1988664?src=



AASW Members: 
Australian Social Work Special Issue Social Work and Cancer Volume 75, Issue 2, 2022.
https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rasw20/current



Prof Irwin Epstein on Clinical Data Mining: 
https://www.routledge.com/Clinical-Data-Mining-in-Practice-Based-Research-Social-Work-in-Hospital/Epstein-Blumenfield/p/book/9780789017093



Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners

The Australian Association of Social Workers respectfully acknowledges the past and present traditional owners and ongoing custodians of the lands on which this podcast is being recorded.  We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, their ancestors and their families, and to the Elders of other communities who may be listening.

Last month we brought you a repeat of our earlier conversation with Rosalie Pockett AM.  Just as we were planning to re-broadcast the follow up episode with her research partner, Kim Hobbs, Kim was named Allied Health professional of 2023 by Western Sydney, LHD.  When you listen to this conversation with her, you’ll understand why. Congratulations Kim!
Kim’s award:
<a href="https://thepulse.org.au/2023/11/23/since-1994-social-worker-kim-hobbs-has-been-dedicated-to-westmead-hospitals-gyaecological-cancer-patients-and-their-families/">https://thepulse.org.au/2023/11/23/since-1994-social-worker-kim-hobbs-has-been-dedicated-to-westmead-hospitals-gyaecological-cancer-patients-and-their-families</a>/
 Special Issue Australian Social Work Social Work and Cancer. Editorial by Rosalie Pockett and Kim Hobbs   Free Access.  <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0312407X.2021.1988664?src=">https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0312407X.2021.1988664?src=</a>
 
AASW Members: Australian Social Work Special Issue Social Work and Cancer Volume 75, Issue 2, 2022. <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rasw20/current">https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rasw20/current</a>  
 
Prof Irwin Epstein on Clinical Data Mining:  <a href="https://www.routledge.com/Clinical-Data-Mining-in-Practice-Based-Research-Social-Work-in-Hospital/Epstein-Blumenfield/p/book/9780789017093">https://www.routledge.com/Clinical-Data-Mining-in-Practice-Based-Research-Social-Work-in-Hospital/Epstein-Blumenfield/p/book/9780789017093</a>
 
Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners
The Australian Association of Social Workers respectfully acknowledges the past and present traditional owners and ongoing custodians of the lands on which this podcast is being recorded.  We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, their ancestors and their families, and to the Elders of other communities who may be listening.

Health through the widest lens, Part 2: Kim Hobbs and award winning teamwork

This month we bring you an encore release of our conversation with Rosalie Pocket AM who has spent years overturning the inequities and injustices built into our health system.  In this conversation, Rosalie describes her abiding interests in the social and community based factors that influence people’s health.  Next month we will follow this up with her research partner, Kim Hobbs, who will describe how to broaden the partnerships that research those factors 

If you want to follow up this conversation and hear about the newest practice frameworks in healthcare, learn about effective advocacy for the health sector, or build your professional networks, join us at the AASW’s Online Health Symposium  “Practice Innovations, Challenges and Leadership  Register here!

Mentioned in this Episode

Dr Rosalie Pockett AM University of Sydney 
https://fdp.edsw.usyd.edu.au/users/197

Social Work Health Inequalities Network SWHIN 
https://blogs.coventry.ac.uk/swhin/swhin/=

Mt Sinai Hospital Social Work Department New York – Social Work Leadership Enhancement Program 
https://www.mountsinai.org/locations/mount-sinai/about/health-professionals/social-work-services/professional-development

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00981389.2018.1439134?journalCode=wshc20



Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners

The Australian Association of Social Workers respectfully acknowledges the past and present traditional owners and ongoing custodians of the lands on which this podcast is being recorded.  We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, their ancestors and their families, and to the Elders of other communities who may be listening.

This month we bring you an encore release of our conversation with Rosalie Pocket AM who has spent years overturning the inequities and injustices built into our health system.  In this conversation, Rosalie describes her abiding interests in the social and community based factors that influence people’s health.  Next month we will follow this up with her research partner, Kim Hobbs, who will describe how to broaden the partnerships that research those factors 
If you want to follow up this conversation and hear about the newest practice frameworks in healthcare, learn about effective advocacy for the health sector, or build your professional networks, join us at the AASW’s Online Health Symposium  “Practice Innovations, Challenges and Leadership  Register <a href="https://aasw.eventsair.com/the-aasw-health-symposium-2023/">here!</a>
Mentioned in this Episode
Dr Rosalie Pockett AM University of Sydney  <a href="https://fdp.edsw.usyd.edu.au/users/197">https://fdp.edsw.usyd.edu.au/users/197</a>
Social Work Health Inequalities Network SWHIN  <a href="https://blogs.coventry.ac.uk/swhin/swhin/">https://blogs.coventry.ac.uk/swhin/swhin/</a>=
Mt Sinai Hospital Social Work Department New York – Social Work Leadership Enhancement Program  <a href="https://www.mountsinai.org/locations/mount-sinai/about/health-professionals/social-work-services/professional-development">https://www.mountsinai.org/locations/mount-sinai/about/health-professionals/social-work-services/professional-development</a>
<a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00981389.2018.1439134?journalCode=wshc20">https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00981389.2018.1439134?journalCode=wshc20</a>
 
Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners
The Australian Association of Social Workers respectfully acknowledges the past and present traditional owners and ongoing custodians of the lands on which this podcast is being recorded.  We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, their ancestors and their families, and to the Elders of other communities who may be listening.

encore-social-workers-improving-healthcare-part-1

Social Workers Improving Healthcare: Part 1 Rosalie Pockett AM and Health Inequity

For many people who see a social worker, it is because they are already involved in our health or community services system, and they are referred by another professional.  This means they have to make contact with our formal service system, and this is something that doesn’t suit everyone.  What if it was possible to walk into a public place like a library, and see a social worker? Even if you didn’t live in that local area?  Who would fund a program like that? Is there a sufficient level of need for a library social worker?  What difference does it make to the community?  Erin McKeegan has the answers.



MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 
https://news.melbourne.vic.gov.au/libraries-offer-a-safe-haven-for-melburnians-in-need/

Launch housing 
https://www.launchhousing.org.au/

City of Melbourne’s initiatives to prevent and end homelessness: 
https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/community/homes-melbourne/ending-homelessness/Pages/ending-homelessness.aspx

Review of the trial project: 
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01616846.2020.1825917



FURTHER READING

An international perspective: 
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/01/03/1063985757/why-your-local-library-might-be-hiring-a-social-worker#:~:text=Art%20%26%20Design-,When%20the%20answers%20are%20not%20in%20books%2C%20some%20libraries%20hire,finding%20mental%20health%20and%20more.

For a contrast to this inclusive approach, see this example of a policing and security-based approach:

In the Library with the Lead Pipe: 
https://apo.org.au/node/271231

For many people who see a social worker, it is because they are already involved in our health or community services system, and they are referred by another professional.  This means they have to make contact with our formal service system, and this is something that doesn’t suit everyone.  What if it was possible to walk into a public place like a library, and see a social worker? Even if you didn’t live in that local area?  Who would fund a program like that? Is there a sufficient level of need for a library social worker?  What difference does it make to the community?  Erin McKeegan has the answers.
 
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  <a href="https://news.melbourne.vic.gov.au/libraries-offer-a-safe-haven-for-melburnians-in-need/">https://news.melbourne.vic.gov.au/libraries-offer-a-safe-haven-for-melburnians-in-need/</a>
Launch housing  <a href="https://www.launchhousing.org.au/">https://www.launchhousing.org.au/</a>
City of Melbourne’s initiatives to prevent and end homelessness:  <a href="https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/community/homes-melbourne/ending-homelessness/Pages/ending-homelessness.aspx">https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/community/homes-melbourne/ending-homelessness/Pages/ending-homelessness.aspx</a>
Review of the trial project:  <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01616846.2020.1825917">https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01616846.2020.1825917</a>
 
FURTHER READING
An international perspective:  <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/01/03/1063985757/why-your-local-library-might-be-hiring-a-social-worker#:~:text=Art%20%26%20Design-,When%20the%20answers%20are%20not%20in%20books%2C%20some%20libraries%20hire,finding%20mental%20health%20and%20more">https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/01/03/1063985757/why-your-local-library-might-be-hiring-a-social-worker#:~:text=Art%20%26%20Design-,When%20the%20answers%20are%20not%20in%20books%2C%20some%20libraries%20hire,finding%20mental%20health%20and%20more</a>.
For a contrast to this inclusive approach, see this example of a policing and security-based approach:
In the Library with the Lead Pipe: <a href="https://apo.org.au/node/271231">https://apo.org.au/node/271231</a>

Students for Sensible Drug Policy: Reducing harm by changing policy

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