Via a press release from Turning Point:

An Australian-first service to enhance the screening and treatment of alcohol-related health problems will be launched by Turning Point Alcohol & Drug Centre on Tuesday 26 October.

The initiative, the Portal to Alcohol Counselling and Therapy (PACT) program, is funded by the Victorian Government under Restoring the balance – Victoria’s alcohol action plan (VAAP) 2008-2013. It supports the VAAP priorities as it enhances the capacity of mainstream health services to help clients to reduce their drinking so that more people affected by alcohol issues
can receive a quality service.

This and other developments under the VAAP promote a change in community attitudes and encourage a safe and sensible approach to drinking. The state-wide service will enhance general practitioner (GP) access to counselling services via the Drug & Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service (DACAS). The DACAS PACT program offers referral to an appropriate counselling service or enrolment in a six week telephone based program where patients can phone in for their scheduled appointment.

“This is a significant service improvement for people with alcohol problems, particularly those in rural areas who cannot easily access face-to-face support”, said Professor Dan Lubman, Director of Turning Point. “GPs can call the DACAS service during a patient consultation, allowing them to arrange appropriate referral and treatment options immediately”, said Professor Lubman. The program will be rolled out across the state over the next 12 months, starting with the eastern metropolitan region and key service providers in Barwon South West.

The service will be launched by Dr Karleen Edwards Executive Director Mental Health Drugs and Regions, Department of Health on 26 October at Turning Point Alcohol & Drug Centre, 142 Gertrude Street Fitzroy at 2.30pm.

The Victorian Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service (DACAS) is a 24 hour, 7 day specialist telephone consultancy service available to all health professionals in Victoria. The service provides clinical advice to health professionals who have concerns about the clinical management of patients and clients with alcohol and other drug problems. DACAS operated by Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre with funding from the Victorian Department of Health.