Management and treatment of VSA

The VSAPA (the Act) was introduced into NT legislation in 2006. The Act contains provisions for communities to develop local plans about how volatile substances will be managed in their community. This includes how communities control the sale, supply and storage of volatile substances.

It also provides a care assessment pathway whereby a specialist VSU team determines level of risk and whether treatment and rehabilitation options are necessary from the information gathered.

Most people who use volatile substances can be supported via voluntary means within a person’s home with family and community orientated service supports.

Mandated treatment however may be necessary when persons are deemed to be ‘high risk’ of severe harm from volatile substances and these supports are not readily available or have not worked.

In these cases mandatory treatment orders recommendations are made to the Chief Health Officer. If approved, an application to the Court is made so that the treatment order can be executed.

Read the Volatile Substance Abuse Prevention Act 2005.

Any response to VSA requires a family and community-centred approach to address underlying social determinants. The following diagram identifies the VSA management options for individuals that is currently being used in the NT.

Responses to VSU are related to the level of risk involved. Early experimentation with VSU requires different responses to chronic use with co-occurring physical and mental health concerns.

Involving family and getting a health check at the local health centre can be a good starting point where a comprehensive physical and Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) assessment can be undertaken. Appropriate referrals and initial brief interventions take place, guided by CARPA and Health Pathways protocols to determine immediate level of intervention, circumstances and pattern of use.

Clients can be linked to Child Wellbeing Partnership (previously known as Multi Agency Child and Community Safety Teams (MACCST)) to ensure that collaborative cross-agency response plans are developed, and diversional activities can commence as soon as possible.

When VSU involves minors, Territory Families, Housing and Communities reports are made. Care coordinators can obtain advice from specialist AOD clinicians, including VSA Assessors within their region. Mandatory reporting may be required if there are indications of harm, neglect, abuse or exploitation is apparent.

If required, an assessment is undertaken and a recommendation for a mandatory treatment order can be made where no other intervention has worked.

Residents and communities can apply to have a place declared a VSA management area and get a management plan approved.

This helps to control the possession, sale and supply, use and storage of volatile substances within that area. People who live in or visit communities with Volatile Substance Management Plans should be aware of and comply with these rules.

Read the Community Management of Possession, Supply and use of Volatile Substances Guideline.

Contractors who plan to visit and work at communities should read the Contractors Guide for Visiting Communities.

The maximum penalty for contravening a management plan is 100 penalty units or six months imprisonment.

Forms

• Declared Volatile Substance Management Area Application Form
• Volatile Substance Management Plan Amendment Application Form

Under the Act, applying for an assessment for someone who may be at severe risk of harm from volatile substance use is not mandatory. Wherever possible, a person who is at risk should be encouraged to seek medical advice and/or treatment voluntarily.

Where the person is not willing to enter into treatment voluntarily, the Act, states that the following people may apply to an assessor/assessment team for an assessment of the person:

1. Police officers or authorised persons
2. Health practitioners - i.e. a medical practitioner or person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (other than as a student) as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners, nurses or midwives
3. A member of the family of the person believed to be at risk
4. A responsible adult for a child believed to be at risk
5. Any other employee approved by the Health Minister. This currently includes:
   • School Principals
   • Advanced Practitioners (P2 level) employed by Territory Families

Access the Request for Assessment under the Volatile Substance Abuse Prevention Act Form DOCX (77.8 KB).

Under the Act, assessment of a person includes a comprehensive assessment of one or both of the following:

1. The person’s condition (which may include their physical, neurological and mental condition);
2. The person’s circumstances (which may include their lifestyle, environment and relationships with others).

Assessment therefore, is required to have a holistic approach with Assessors ensuring that the person’s physical, mental health, cognitive and other risk assessments are undertaken.

Assessors must exercise and perform their powers and functions in accordance the assessment guideline, issued by the Chief Health Officer.

Read the Volatile Substance Use Assessment Guideline.

For more information about the NT drug rehabilitation services go to the Northern Territory Government website

Each Regional Health Service have primary responsibility for the delivery of clinical services components of the Volatile Substance Abuse Prevention Act.

This includes assessment of referrals, treatment options and aftercare.

Amity Community Services

Amity Community Services  is a non-government organisation currently leading a project to reduce the health and social harms associated with volatile substance misuse in the Top End region of the NT.

Phone  08 8944 6565 or go to the Amity website.

Central Australian Youth Link-Up Service (CAYLUS)

The Central Australian Youth Link-Up Service (CAYLUS)  is a local non-government organisation.

CAYLUS supports communities in Central Australia to prevent and respond to inhalant abuse, through community development initiatives such as youth diversion programs and rehabilitation services, supply reduction strategies and casework.

Phone 08 8951 4236 or go to the CAYLUS website.