Townsville Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Service (ATODS) – North Ward Health Campus

About Townsville Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Service (ATODS)

The Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Service (ATODS) is located at the North Ward Health Campus and the Vincent Health Campus. ATODS provide a range of services including intake and assessment, outpatient (ambulatory) withdrawal, opiate substitution program, Diversionary and Recovery Team (DART), counselling and assessment for youth and adults, health promotion, needle and syringe program and culturally appropriate support and stakeholder engagement. The ATODS service also builds capacity for external stakeholders to develop harm-reduction programs and interventions to reduce the harms associated with substance misuse through continuing professional development into the provision of evidence-based services for individual clients.

Programs

The Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Service (ATODS) is located at the North Ward Health Campus and the Vincent Health Campus. ATODS provide a range of services including intake and assessment, outpatient (ambulatory) withdrawal, opiate substitution program, Diversionary and Recovery Team (DART), counselling and assessment for youth and adults, health promotion, needle and syringe program and culturally appropriate support and stakeholder engagement. The ATODS service also builds capacity for external stakeholders to develop harm-reduction programs and interventions to reduce the harms associated with substance misuse through continuing professional development into the provision of evidence-based services for individual clients.

ATODS North Ward Campus

• Most services operate on the business hours of Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 4.30pm
• The following services operate from or through North Ward:
  • Intake, assessment, and counselling
  • Opiate treatment program
  • Health promotion
  • Needle-and-syringe program

ATODS Vincent The Vincent Health Campus

• Business hours are Monday- Friday 7:30am – 4:00pm.
• The following services operate from Vincent:
  • Withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs: this service is an ambulatory service that provides assistance, support and interventions to individuals, families and communities for management of withdrawal from substances. Individuals wishing to access this service can self-present to Intake at North Ward campus for initial assessment.
  • Induction to the opiate substitute program: this a program that individuals are commenced on when they wish to manage their opiate addiction. Individuals wishing to access this program should self-present to North Ward Health Campus for an initial assessment. The withdrawal team will need to complete an eligibility assessment with the individual to determine if they will suit the program before commencing treatment.
  • Youth team: The ATODS youth service works with youth aged from 8 to 25 years in collaboration with other Townsville youth service providers. Young people with substance issues can present to North Ward intake service and complete an intake assessment. The ATODS Referral Form can be forwarded to the identified email contact.
  • Diversionary and Recovery Team (DART): supports clients who have or may have judicial offences associated with their substance use. They also support individual who are directed by probation and parole services. DART provides a culturally sensitive program for clients who identify as Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander. Individuals wishing to access this service can self-present to Intake at North Ward campus for initial assessment.

Intake, assessment and referral

Community members who are looking for assistance are encouraged to contact the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Service (ATODS). This can be done by individuals and/or family by self-presenting to the North Ward Health Campus Monday to Thursday at 9am and 1pm. Friday 9am only. The initial consultation will take about half an hour.

Following attendance at an intake session, clients may be offered full assessment and ongoing treatment services across the different facilities.

ATODS will also accept referrals from other services such as general practitioners, education services and other agencies. The ATODS Referral Form can be downloaded via HealthPathways and forwarded to the identified email contact. As we provide a voluntary service, we require consent from the individual when making the referral. All referrals and presentations are discussed daily at the multidisciplinary intake meeting and allocated to the appropriate team for follow up.