FDS Insight Newsletter Oct-Dec 2020

1 I NSIGHTS OUT ince the last newsletter COVID- 19 has really impacted on just about everyone in the world. Of course, Family Drug Support has not escaped the impact. We have had to postpone many of our training events, Stepping Stones courses, Volunteer Training sessions, Stepping Forward and Support Groups. We have also not been able to hold our annual Remembrance Ceremonies. As I write this, there are indicators that some jurisdictions and venues are starting to open up. As soon as we are able to run events safely, we will do so. Please keep monitoring the website under the Meeting and Events tab for up-to-date information. We are also piloting online Support Groups in some areas. Again, please monitor the website. The Telephone Support Line is still operational and can be accessed at any time on 1300 368 186. In this newsletter you will see our new 1-to-1 online service via ‘Sage.FM/FDS’. If you would like to book a time, pick one of the consultants and send a message on the page. With regards to the Remembrance Ceremonies, we were unable to run the 2020 events in July. We have decided to designate Sunday 18 October 2020 as a date to ‘Remember’. We will video a short event, which will be posted on our website and Facebook page. We invite you to add comments on the Facebook event and remember people you know who have been lost to drugs and/or alcohol. If you would like further information, please call 02 4782 9222 and speak to Jane. This will be a short pause for Remembrance. Provided restrictions to COVID-19 are lifted, we will be back to remembering those lost next July. The last couple of months have seen retirements in the AOD field. Larry Pierce, CEO of Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA) has retired after 21 years. I have known and worked with Larry throughout that time; he has been a strong supporter of FDS. We wish him all the best in retirement and welcome the appointment of Robert Stirling as the new CEO. The Greens leader, Dr Richard Di Natale has retired from Parliament. Richard has been a very vocal advocate for drug law reform and FDS, and we will miss his powerful voice. Mark Anns has resigned as the Health Policy Manager at Indivior. Again, we wish him all the best and thank him for all his support. Some of the FDS family have sadly lost people they are very close to in recent weeks; our thoughts are with S