Indigenous Risk Impact Screen and Brief Intervention
The development of the Indigenous Risk Impact Screen and Brief Intervention (IRIS) is a collaborative research initiative between Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Services (ATODS) and the Centre for Drug and Alcohol Studies (CDAS), The Prince Charles Hospital Health Service District Alcohol and Drug Service.
Currently no culturally appropriate risk screen meets the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland. Assessments are not systematically administered and risks (in terms of drug use and mental health) are often not addressed adequately. As a result adequate treatment is rarely provided nor is it sourced.
The Screening Tool and Brief Intervention has been initially developed in response to a number of recommendations from both national and state reports where alcohol and other drugs are the cause and symptom for health and environmental factors affecting the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Based on recommendations the risk screen seeks to:
- provide timely advice to clients and family about the extent and nature of the substance misuse and possible interventions and treatment pathways
- enable both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and mainstream substance misuse and health agencies to better target their response to client needs by establishing collaborative networks that will ensure better use of resources
- provide all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Workers with support by establishing and building collaborative networks that will assist in addressing the alcohol and other drug issues that affect the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community
- ensure sustainability of the tool by its validation and implementation into alcohol and drug training programs across academic institutions.
The screening tool has now been trialled with 175 indigenous participants across urban, rural and remote sites in Queensland. Results reveal that the screen has high sensitivity and high specificity. The IRIS Brief Intervention is currently being trialled across Queensland sites.
Contact
Ms Carla Schlesinger
Manager, Statewide Services
Alcohol and Drug Training and Resource Unit
Alcohol and Drug
Service
The Prince Charles Hospital Health Service District
Telephone: +61-7-3238 4065
Email
This page last updated:
10 November, 2005
Review date: July, 2006
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