Time for Change Survey and Report

35 Investment in AOD support services led by and for families/carers We also saw strong support (94.4% support/strongly support) for greater investment in support services led by and for families/carers who have experience assisting family member/s to navigate issues related to drug and alcohol use. Peer-based family/carer organisations provide education and support to families, carers, and supporters of people who use drugs in a support group, community workshop, and/or structured group program capacity. Unsurprisingly, support was highest among people who identified as a family member of someone who uses drugs (95.6%), with almost equal support from students and/or young people (95.3%), people who use drugs (94.8%), friends of people who use drugs (94.7%), and professionals (93.7%; see Figure 14). Figure 14. Support for investment in family/carer-led services for families Support varied significantly across states/territories, genders, and communities: ● NSW residents showed significantly more support for family/carer-led services than people from other states/territories, while South Australians expressed less support. ● Female-identifying people expressed higher support in comparison to male-identifying people. ● Respondents who identified as professionals expressed significantly lower support. People shared additional comments around the need to support families and carers: “More support is needed for family and partners of users.” “Increased education around the understanding of Drug and Alcohol use and dependency - aimed to remove the negative view by society and recognise it is a health issue that needs support and actions to assist. Particularly for families that are impacted that not only deal with the gradual loss of a loved one but the loss of friendship and social support as people avoid the family as if they are responsible somehow. All parties impacted need support to be able to support their loved ones.” “Fund local family support centres to help people in families enrol in skills knowledge programmes to help them support a loved one who uses drugs”