Alcohol and other drugs

We support the workforce through education and the community through services

Alcohol and other drugs

Murray PHN works to improve the integration and coordination of alcohol and other drug (AOD) services across the region. Our focus is to identify and address areas of need in our communities, improve professional development opportunities for primary health workers and support the workforce by providing meaningful responses to people with co-occurring AOD and mental health concerns.  

Key issues in our region

Half of the local government areas (LGAs) in the Murray PHN region have higher rates of AOD-related hospital admissions than the national average. More than half of the LGAs in the Murray PHN region have higher rates of AOD-related ambulance attendances than the Victorian average. In regional and rural Victoria, benzodiazepines have the highest rate of unintentional death (3.7 deaths per 100,000 population), followed by other pharmaceuticals (3.1 deaths per 100,000 population). For more data visit the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Resources for health professionals

Family violence resources

  • VAADA family violence resources
  • MARAM practice guides and resources
  • Engender Equality AOD worker’s guide to domestic and family violence.

Last Update: May 20th, 2024

Murray PHN acknowledges its catchment crosses over many unceded First Nations Countries, following the Dhelkunya Yaluk (Healing River).

We pay our respects and give thanks to the Ancestors, Elders and Young people for their nurturing, protection and caregiving of these sacred lands and waterways, acknowledging their continuing cultural, spiritual and educational practices.

We are grateful for the sharing of Country and the renewal that Country gives us. We acknowledge and express our sorrow that this sharing has come at a personal, spiritual and cultural cost to the wellbeing of First Nations peoples. We commit to addressing the injustices of colonisation across our catchment, and to listening to the wisdom of First Nations communities who hold the knowledge to enable healing. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.