Reducing Stigma and Discrimination
People experiencing alcohol and other drug-related issues are better able to engage, improve health and wellbeing and make positive changes when confident they will be met with openness and understanding.
If people feel that they will be judged negatively by others, misunderstood, ignored or discriminated against because they – or someone they know – uses alcohol and other drugs, they may not ask for information or support.
You make the difference.
Consumers make a difference by knowing their rights and responsibilities and by sharing this information with others who may need it.
Family, friends, and community members support people with alcohol and other drug-related issues by maintaining open and non-judgemental communication and by maintaining personal boundaries.
Human services workers improve health and social outcomes by taking a non-judgemental, trauma-informed, person-centred approach.
Western Australians have the right to fair and equitable access to health and other human services.
If you are contacting a service or making a referral, ask if the service is certified against a recognised quality standard. These quality-certified services are non-judgemental and confidential.
Resources
Learn more about how stigma and discrimination can impact on health outcomes, and how we can all make changes that will improve health and wellbeing for individuals, families and communities. You can access the resources below for useful information, guidance and suggested action.
Queensland Mental Health Commission
Lives of Substance
Health Report, ABC Radio National, 15 August 2022
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners - newsGP
Developed by Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies NSW (NADA) and NUAA, in consultation with non-government AOD workers and people who use drugs. The resource provides workers with best-practice guidelines on how to use language to empower clients and reinforce a person-centred approach.
Alcohol and Drug Foundation - designed to support healthcare and other professionals working with people who use alcohol and other drugs to reduce stigma and improve health outcomes.
Common Cause Australia – developed for people who talk about drugs and drugs policy in Australia, including those who consume alcohol and other drugs, and are concerned about stigma associated with the issue.
Australian Drug Foundation – An introduction to the power of words, linking to a 4-piece series exploring the social phenomena of stigma and how it impacts people who consume alcohol and other drugs.
Australian Journal of General Practice – aimed at supporting clinicians in primary healthcare or general practice settings to use language that does not stigmatise and adversely affect health outcomes of consumers seeking help or undergoing treatment.
Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council Tasmania (ATDC) - offers guidance on how we can choose imagery which minimises stigma against people who use alcohol and other drugs.
International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU) - Video
INPUD & ANPUD - March 2020
Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs Council Tasmania (ATDC)
AIVL is the national peer-led peak organisation representing the network of peer-based harm reduction and Drug User Organisations.
Non-judgmental peers providing support, information, education, harm reduction services and advocacy to reduce the transmission of blood-borne viruses
WANADA and Marketing for Change (2.27 MB)
Marketing for Change, December 2014 (1.57 MB)
Colmar Brunton, December 2014. (801 KB)
Lancaster K., Seear K,. & Ritter (2018) – Drug Policy Monitoring Program Monograph
Drug and Alcohol Research Connections, August 2018 – Review of evidence related to stigma in the workplace.
Australian Alcohol and other Drugs Council
Alcohol and Drug Foundation - February 2024
Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council Tasmania
Cracks in the Ice, The University of Sydney
Hepatitis Australia (2017)
The AODCCC is the peak representative body for alcohol and other drug consumer and community systemic advocacy in Western Australia.
SANE monitors and responds to reports of inaccurate or inappropriate stigmatising media portrayal of mental ill health and suicide. This extends to media coverage of alcohol and other drug issues.
Learn More about Reducing Stigma and Discrimination
For more information about WANADA’s work to support access and inclusion for people experiencing alcohol and other drug issues, please contact the WANADA team via [email protected] or call WANADA on (08) 6557 9400.