About the AOD Progam

Central Hume Alcohol and Other Drug Service (CHAODS) is a progressive and multi-disciplinary program which provides services to people within the Central Hume Region of Victoria:  a large and diverse geographic area which encompasses:

•          Rural City of Wangaratta
•          Alpine Shire
•          Rural City of Benalla
•          Shire of Mansfield

Appointments with staff can be made in the following towns:

Benalla, Bright, Mansfield, Moyhu, Myrtleford, Wangaratta and Whitfield

Staff also make appointments to see students at all schools and TAFE campuses within our catchment.  These requests can come from either the school or the young person.  

Values:

We recognise that there are complex social economic and environmental issues which affect the lives of people, and so we aim to provide respectful and non-blaming approaches in our work with all people who access this service.  

What is our  philosophy?

The National Drug Strategy is based on the principles of Harm Minimisation, which are:

•          Safer using practices
•          Reduction and control of use
•          Abstinence

Within the context of these principles, this service offers a wide range of treatment options which recognise and cater for the diverse range of individuals and groups within the community. 

Whilst we encourage people to consider all the options from ceasing to reducing use, we work with people to clearly identify issues that contribute to "out of control" substance use.  Our staff and clients work together to find a range of approaches that reduce the potential harms from alcohol and other drug use, even when stopping altogether is not a realistic or desired option.

We recognize that harms can come from different aspects of drug use, including:

•          The type of substance and the amount used
•          The way the substance is used (inhaled, injected or swallowed)
•          How the person gets hold of the substance and where it is used 
•          The behaviour of the person while they are under the influence of the substance
•          Unwanted or unexpected effects of the substance
•          Withdrawal symptoms