The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has joined the Rethink Addiction campaign to raise awareness of the complexities around addiction and help break down some of the barriers to ensure appropriate health outcomes and recovery.
One in four Australians will struggle with alcohol, other drugs or gambling in their lifetime, yet many wait years to get the help they need due to stigma and shame.
Rethink Addiction is an independent campaign representing a collaborative industry effort to Rethink Addiction, through evidence-based information and linkages to support.
Its mission is to ask for a more open and constructive discussion about alcohol, drugs, and gambling and that it become a national priority in public discourse and policy.
This includes amplifying real stories from real people that challenge stereotypes and educate, fighting stigma, and promoting research, prevention, treatment, harm reduction, support, and care
It also asks for a more balanced policy and funding approach that prioritizes efforts in health and social care, not just law enforcement.
The organisation is also seeking that a national roadmap be developed that leads to a comprehensive uplift in funding including:
- Investment in prevention, treatment, support, and harm reduction
- Investment in workforce
- Investment in infrastructure
- Investment in research
This roadmap should be developed though collaboration between key decision makers, opinion leaders, researchers, the voices of lived experience and treatment, care, and support provider.
