Association of Participating Service Users
The Association of Participating Service Users (APSU) is a Victorian consumer representative body at the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU believes that people who use drug and alcohol services have a wealth of knowledge and experience.
APSU has been set-up to ensure that people who use alcohol and other drug services opinions, ideas and experiences contribute to policy, research, service provision and professional development. APSU draws guidance and direction from an advisory committee made up mostly of consumers. APSU’s membership is free and both consumers and service providers are encouraged to join. APSU has conducted research, developed and disseminated written information materials and newsletters, conducted awareness raising.
APSU’s Mission
- To work collaboratively with key stakeholders to increase community (consumer), participation in drug treatment and care provider systems.
- To increase service user impact on relevant policy development and implementation at the local, state and national level.
- To promote, encourage and assist service users in the development of service user run programs and activities at the local level.
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Resources
We have a great collection of resources to assist you.
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APSU Become A Member
We invite you to join us in having a say.
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Join Speaker Bureau
Join Speaker Bureau
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Request Speaker
Speaker Request Form
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"Your Feedback Matters"
Your Feedback Matters
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Contact Us
Have a question? Please don't hesitate to contact us.
Resources
So you want to start a consumer group? – The story of SRCAC
This publication has been developed by the members of The Southern Region Community Advisory Council (SRCAC).
Fostering family participation in the Victorian alcohol and other drug sector.
A practical guide to consumer participation in the Victorian alcohol and other drug sector.
A step-by-step practical guide to the three APSU training modules:
- Peer Helper Training
- Experts by Experience
- Speaker Bureau
Experiences of AOD consumers with a criminal record accessing employment and education.
Position paper on remuneration and reimbursement of consumers of alcohol and other drug services.
Consumer Participation
A wealth of consumer participation resources including training materials, handouts, exercises and the instructor toolkit.
Click here to view and join our mailing list for the ‘Consumer Participation in Action‘ e-Newsletter
News
InFocus Education Program – for those affected by someone’s gambling.
Posted: 20 September 2017Are you affected by someone’s gambling? It’s estimated that for every person who has a problem with gambling, another five to 10 people are negatively affected. A person’s gambling behaviour can have great social, physical and financial impacts on those who are close to them. Developed by Family Drug Help, a program of SHARC, the InFocus Education Program provides practical support, relevant information, coping strategies and community linkages for those affected by problem gambling. It has…
Read moreFamily Drug Help Spring Newsletter
Posted: 28 August 2017We are excited to announce the arrival of the latest Family Drug Help Newsletter! Welcome to the Spring Edition of the Family Drug Help Newsletter, which is all about shifting focus. As always, there’s lots to look at in this edition, including promotions of new programs that have been developed at Family Drug Help, including InFocus, and a pilot program working with families affected by problem gambling. Remember, FDH is always here to help you…
Read moreOverdose Awareness Day at SHARC Thursday 31st August
Posted: 27 July 2017We invite friends, family, staff, volunteers and the wider community who have been impacted by the loss of a loved one due to substance use to a reflection opportunity, after which a light lunch will be shared. Please RSVP by Tuesday 29th August by clicking on this link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/overdose-awareness-day-registration-36536855719
Read moreIntroducing the InFocus Education Program!
Posted: 24 July 2017Is someone you care about using alcohol and/or drugs? We know how difficult this is. Addiction is a complex issue that affects individuals, their families and the wider community. Families can become disconnected, our relationships suffer and we can feel isolated and helpless. We are delighted to launch the new InFocus Education Program—a community-based psychoeducational program for families and friends affected by someone’s drug and alcohol use. For the past 12 years Family Drug Help,…
Read moreFlipside
2017 winter – Relationships
2017 autumn – Stigma
2016 spring – Opportunities
2016 autumn/winter – The anniversary edition
2015 winter – This one goes out to the ones we loved
2015 autumn – Privacy, confidentiality, anonymity
2014 spring – Ice
2014 winter – Education
2014 autumn – It’s the little things…
2013 spring – Change
2013 winter – Out of the red & into the black
2013 summer – Consumer participation
2012 spring – Prescription drugs
2012 autumn/winter – Recovery and peer support
2011 spring/summer – Criminal records
2011 winter – Home sweet home
2011 autumn – Smoking
2010 winter – Love
2010 autumn – Gambling and other addictions
2009 summer – Hep C and other stuff
2009 winter – Parenthood
2009 summer – Peers
2008 spring – The black and white of waiting times
2008 autumn – Before it comes to this – teeth and other health issues
2008 summer – Songlines and footprints
2007 spring – Pissed
2007 autumn/winter – Drugs for drugs
2007 summer – Boulevard of broken dreams
2006 spring – Dual diagnosis: under pressure
2006 winter – Centrelink: welfare law turns nasty
Join Speaker Bureau
APSU is inviting expressions of interest from people with a lived experience of alcohol and/or other drug (AOD) misuse and family members affected by a loved one’s AOD misuse to become members of our Speaker Bureau.
APSU’s Speaker Bureau members are people who are willing to speak publically at forums, meetings, presentations, conferences and other community or corporate events. Speaker Bureau members nominate themselves for this role and they choose what topics they are prepared to speak about.
Speaker Bureau members are remunerated as participants (as well as trained and supported by APSU) and are empowered in their endeavor to help raise awareness, overcome stigma and shame, and educate people about addiction, recovery and hope.
The vast majority of evaluations over the years demonstrate that Speakers Bureau members have an immediate, positive, and often transformative effect, on their audience members.
If you would like to become a Speaker Bureau member, please fill out the form below. We will be in contact with you soon and you will be invited to attend an orientation and training session run by APSU.
Request Speaker
"Your Feedback Matters"
This quick survey is a way to better understand your experience in accessing the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Treatment system. By gathering your experiences APSU can work with the AOD treatment sector to make continuous improvements to the system in the future. Alternatively if you would like complete the survey and provide feedback in person with someone at APSU phone:
1300 442 552
Monday – Friday 9 am -5 pm.
(Leave a message for a callback if unattended, engaged or outside business hours).
THIS SURVEY IS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND PEOPLE WHO USE/HAVE USED VICTORIAN AOD SERVICES.
THIS SURVEY IS NOT DESIGNED FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS.
Start Survey – Click Here (opens new window)
Contact Us
Association of Participating Service Users
(Please note this form is for general enquiries/feedback only. If you are applying for a student placement or a volunteer please use the relevant forms in the ”About Us’ section on the SHARC home page.)
Address: 140 Grange Road, Carnegie, 3163
Phone: 9573 1700
Email: apsu@sharc.org.au
Latest News
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InFocus Education Program – for those affected by someone’s gambling.
Are you affected by someone’s gambling?It's estimated that for every person who has a...
Read More -
Family Drug Help Spring Newsletter
We are excited to announce the arrival of the latest Family Drug Help Newsletter!Welcome to...
Read More
