Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services
Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services Intake Service
For information, referral and advice, phone: 1300 660 059 Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 4 pm (closed public holidays)
Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services (DACS) aims to improve health and reduce harm for individuals, their families and carers and the wider community.
DACS is a specialist treatment service for people with substance use problems. Harm Minimisation is a key tenet of the model of care. It is a multidisciplinary service that includes nursing, medical and allied health clinicians alongside peer support and Aboriginal health workers. DACS operates in a range of community, outpatient and inpatient settings, providing prevention, early intervention drug and alcohol assessment and treatment counselling and case management throughout Hunter New England Health.
Services that are provided by DACS include:
- A 12 bed inpatient withdrawal unit situated at Belmont Hospital
- An opiate treatment program for approximately 1200 people with clinics in Newcastle, Cessnock, Taree and Tamworth
- Drug and alcohol counselling services across the District
- Specialist cannabis and stimulant treatment clinics in Newcastle
- Assertive management for people with complex needs
- Specialist child, youth and family drug and alcohol services for young people, pregnant people and parents
- Court and custodial diversion services in Newcastle and Tamworth
- Consultation Liaison Service at the John Hunter Hospital and inpatient clinical support is provided across the District
- Needle syringe program to provide safe injecting equipment
- A clinical research unit to conduct clinical trials and facilitate the translation of research into practice further enhancing the international drug and alcohol knowledge base
DACS Intake Service
The DACS Intake Service is open to all members of the community by phoning 1300 660 059, Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 4 pm (closed public holidays and weekends). The DACS Intake Service provides:
- Drug & alcohol information and brief interventions to individuals, family or friends
- Initial assessment to identify individual clinical needs
- Referral to appropriate services for people requiring assistance with drug and alcohol issues
Other key drug and alcohol services include:
- The Calvary Mater Alcohol and Drug Clinical Service (Waratah) providing outpatient consultation, assessment and treatment for withdrawal and support for family and friends on an individual appointment basis
- Drug & Alcohol Health Services Inc. (DAHS) (Upper Hunter) office located in Muswellbrook providing counselling, court diversion and an opiate treatment program
- Mental Health and Substance Use Service (MHSUS) provides integrated assessments & programs for people with co-occurring mental health & substance use issues. MHSUS programs are stage-based & focus on enhancing motivation, psychoeducation, relapse prevention, & mutual support.
Drug warnings