Substance Misuse Limestone Coast - SMLC

11/06/2026

Strengthening Syphilis Awareness and Care in AOD Services webinar.

Syphilis rates have tripled in Australia over the past decade, highlighting the urgent need for greater awareness, screening and early intervention across a range of health and community settings. People accessing alcohol and other drug (AOD) services often face additional barriers to care and are at increased risk of sexually transmissible infections (STIs), including syphilis. Staff working in these settings are uniquely positioned to support timely access to testing, treatment, and care.

Presented by Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) and ASHM this free one-hour webinar is designed for both clinical and non-clinical staff working in AOD services. The session will explore the current syphilis landscape in Australia and key considerations for AOD settings, alongside practical insights, real-world examples, and peer perspectives to strengthen confidence in supporting people at higher risk to access sexual health care.

Learning outcomes:
On completion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Describe the current syphilis context, including current trends and concerns.
- Recall priority populations for syphilis and related considerations relevant to AOD settings.
- Recognise key signs and symptoms of syphilis.
- Identify testing, referral, and follow-up considerations for syphilis and congenital syphilis.
- Identify practical strategies, models of care and trauma-informed approaches to reduce barriers and support timely access to care.

Target audience: Clinical and non-clinical staff working across AOD care.

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QLnIFdspSlCMb9I3daGDrQ

Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League - AIVL

11/06/2026

Here at SMLC, we're spending some time talking about FASD. The reason we're doing this is because the rates of children with FASD in Australia are alarming.
As part of our ongoing conversation with our Facebook audience, we'd love you to share this information and get the word out about FASD, including this resource around support for parents.

As always, you can reach out to Sophie and the SMLC team for more information.

View the resource here - https://bit.ly/3RWKRmU

02/06/2026

The theme for Reconciliation Week 2026 is All In.

SMLC is committed to strengthening our ongoing relationships that exist between Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people, and non-Indigenous people.

Reconciliation Week is a time to remind us that although we have made improvements, we as a community still have more work to do, and commit to be ALL IN, to deliver better social and health outcomes across the board.

28/05/2026

There is no safe time, no safe amount, and no safe type of alcohol during pregnancy.

Alcohol exposure at any stage of pregnancy—even before a pregnancy is confirmed—can harm fetal development and increase the risk of serious health complications.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)—a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability that seriously affects:

* Memory, attention, and learning abilities;

* Emotional regulation and behaviour;

* Physical and social development.

To prevent harm to their unborn child from alcohol, women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should not drink alcohol.

For women who are breastfeeding, not drinking alcohol is safest for their baby.

26/05/2026

Today, we recognise National Sorry Day. We honour the resilience of Stolen Generations survivors and reflect on how we can move from sorry to action.
At SMLC, we remain committed to listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, educating ourselves, and actively supporting true reconciliation.

14/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) training this week.

Joining SMLC were 46 participants from 15 agencies, ranging from Allied Health to Alcohol and other Drug professionals, kindergarten, primary, and high school staff, attend an all-day session with Raina Quinny from NOFASD Australia.

We learned about the history, prevalence, and diagnosis, plus strategies to help work with people with FASD.

Some important statistics:

· FASD is a permanent brain injury caused by alcohol exposure in utero.

· FASD is highly overrepresented in prison populations and youth detention centres.

· 50-60% of Australian women drink alcohol while pregnant.

· 58% of professionals lack confidence in asking pregnant women about their alcohol use.

There’s still not a lot of understanding about FASD and the ripple effects in the general community, and we’re pleased to be able to raise awareness about FASD.

Many participants said it was one of the best training sessions they have ever been to – great feedback for the SMLC team and NOFASD Australia.

Check out and

11/05/2026

Private Lives 4 is Australia’s largest national survey of the health and wellbeing of le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, q***r, and asexual (LGBTIQA+) adults to date.
The survey will provide vital information for health professionals, service providers, community organisations, and governments to better understand and support the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people in Australia.
Funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Private Lives 4 - alongside ARCSHS’ youth survey, Writing Themselves In 5: In Our Words - will contribute critical data to support the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ People 2025–2035.
Access the survey by the QR code.

07/05/2026

Last chance for tickets! SMLC are bringing nationally recognised and evidence-based FASD training to Mount Gambier on May 13.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is estimated to affect 2-5% of Australian children. More children are affected by FASD than Autism Spectrum Disorder, Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and SIDS combined.

FASD is a lifelong, brain-based disability that impacts learning, memory, behaviour, attention, communication, executive functioning, impulse control, and other cognitive skills. Individuals with FASD have complex needs and require FASD-informed support to learn, communicate and thrive.

Delivered by NOFASD Australia, this nationally recognised, evidence-based training will enable attendees to increase their knowledge of FASD, better understand the complexity, and apply their knowledge to their own work.

The one-day training is open to interested people from all services and agencies. Book now via TryBooking -

Face to face

07/05/2026

FARE Storytelling Project

Do you or someone you know live with FASD, or want to share your story on the importance of an alcohol-free pregnancy?

If you have experiences to share that can help people know they’re not alone, please share your story.

We're currently accepting expressions of interest for people to share their experience for our new project aimed at raising awareness and understanding of FASD and alcohol use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Want to apply or learn more? Visit: http://fare.org.au/storytelling-application-form/

07/05/2026

Today is International Harm Reduction Day.

Harm reduction strategies aim to reduce the negative health, social, and legal consequences associated with drug use and other risky behaviours.

Harm reduction focuses on improving safety and health outcomes. Key examples include standard drinks, serving water in licensed premises, ni****ne patches, needle syringe programs, naloxone distribution, drug checking (pill testing), supervised consumption sites and wearing seat belts and helmets.

Harm reduction in our language matters too because stigma hurts. It affects people’s self-esteem, damages relationships, and delays people from accessing treatment for years. Using person-centred language rather than labelling terms is another harm reduction strategy.

Happy International Harm Reduction Day!

Sophie Bourchier
SMLC Project Manager