Dedicated to creating change
Our Work & Advocacy
Real Drug Talk is an independent peer lead organisation that advocates for drug policy reform and improved services for those who need them. We believe that the conversation around alcohol and drugs in society needs to be depoliticised to facilitate a mature conversation to deliver the most effective economic, cultural and health outcomes relating to alcohol and drugs. See some examples of the work and advocacy positions we take to create positive change in policy and the AOD sector.
FASD Justice Employment Project
Everyone deserves a high quality of life. This includes having access to housing, healthcare, social and community supports.
Meaningful employment is important for our overall wellbeing.
It improves our social connection, sense of belonging and self-esteem. It markedly improves the welfare of families and communities.
However, people with disabilities remain at a disadvantage when seeking employment. Only about half of Australians with disability are currently participating in the workforce.
People with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) are at particular risk of underemployment.
In addition, the risk of contact with the justice system is approximately 30 times greater for a person with FASD compared to a person without FASD.
Real Drug Talk / Experience Matters in partnership with Patches Australia, the University of Western Australia, 360Edge and APM with funding from the Commonwealth Department of Health, have produced an online educational Resource to provide tips, tools and strategies that can assist employment professionals, employers and those within the justice workforce, to effectively support people with FASD as they transition out of the justice system into meaningful employment.
Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ANACAD)
The Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ANACAD):
- reports directly to the federal minister responsible for drugs and alcohol policy within the Health portfolio
- provides confidential advice to the federal minister on current and emerging drug and alcohol issues
Real Drug Talk’s founder Jack Nagle has been a member of the council since 2018
Cracks In the Ice
Cracks in the Ice is an online toolkit providing trusted, evidence-based, and up-to-date information and resources about crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) for the Australian community. Real Drug Talk and Jack Nagle were significant contributors to the development of this project.
National Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Strategy
As a part of the nation’s mental health reform agenda, the National Mental Health Commission was tasked with developing a National Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Strategy. This tasking is consistent with the Commission’s role in providing independent advice to the Australian Government on issues relating to the mental health and wellbeing of Australians.
The Strategy’s focus and objectives include:
- Reduce self-stigma amongst those who experience mental health issues and those who support them.
- Reduce public stigma by changing attitudes and behaviours in the general community and amongst identified target audiences.
- Take steps towards eliminating structural stigma and discrimination towards those affected by mental health issues in identified settings.
The Strategy concentrates on stigma and discrimination reduction in the following settings:
- Mental Health System
- Health System
- Financial Services and Insurance
- Legal Systems
- Education and Training
- Employment
- Social Services, Disability, Income Support and Housing
Real Drug Talk and founder Jack Nagle have been partners in the development of the strategy
