Footsteps – Road to Recovery

In April 2013, the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council SA (ADAC), Aboriginal Health Council of SA (AHCSA) and Aboriginal Family Support Services (AFSS) formed a consortium to establish a therapeutic community model of care service to address the AOD needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people in the north west region of South Australia.

 The three partners are also all state wide community organisations with member organisations in all communities within South Australia.

Established under the auspice of the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council SA, the North West Regional Residential Service, known as Footsteps – road to recovery, is the only alcohol and drug residential rehabilitation facility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the region.

Established at Port Augusta, SA, Footsteps supports individuals and families with after care and case coordination, to strengthen their capacity to address alcohol and drug problems and reconnect with their families, communities and cultures.

Footsteps is a proud employer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and regards its human resources, cultural integrity and service partnerships as key components to the success of its service.

PHILOSOPHY

Footsteps adopts a harm minimization approach under a therapeutic community model to reduce the impact of alcohol and drug usage on our community. At the same time Footsteps recognises and supports abstinence based approaches and will strive to represent the interests of all in working to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol and drug usage within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of South Australia by;

• Promoting awareness and understanding of alcohol and other drug issues and substances affecting people and communities
• Promoting positive alternate life ways to harmful alcohol and other drug (AOD) use
• Enhancing the capacity of communities to identify and respond to rapidly emerging trends in licit and illicit substance misuse
• Developing policy and plans to address identified community AOD service needs
• Provide education and training opportunities to AOD staff and community members
• Representing and advocating community needs and interests to key stakeholders at local, regional, statewide and national level.

AIMS

As a residential rehabilitation service based on a therapeutic community model,  Footsteps aims to:

• Improve the capacity of individuals and families to address alcohol and drug problems
• Support individuals to reconnect with their families, community and culture
• Provide individuals and families with after care support and services
• Be a proud employer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

VISION

Inspire and empower Aboriginal people to live free of the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs

MISSION

To provide and deliver a culturally appropriate, healing, residential therapeutic community that is holistic, effective and creates a better everyday life for Aboriginal people with alcohol and other drug problems, in the NW region of South Australia.

TARGET GROUP AND AREA

The service receives referrals for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women aged 18 years and over.