CHL has been leading the Macleay LDAT since 2021 in partnership with NSW Health, NUAA, The Buttery and Mid-North Coast Local Health District, built upon local community feedback and funded by The Drug and Alcohol Foundation.

Developed using a community-first approach with ongoing consultations with CHL tenants and the wider community, the program addresses real life challenges of alcohol and other drug use through education workshops to break down stigma and discrimination. It includes equipping people with harm minimisation strategies and provides a safe syringe disposal and exchange program.

As part of the focus on community health needs, CHL has resourced an Alcohol and Other Drugs worker and a Wellbeing Connector to provide support from the West Kempsey Community Hub, another CHL led initiative. These team members respond to urgent situations and provide trauma-informed support to help address underlying causes.

Steve Neale, CHL’s Community Development Manager – New South Wales, said, “The program started with listening to the people of Kempsey, understanding the challenges they face and working together to develop solutions based on their needs.”

“CHL is proud walk alongside our customers to enable this work, connecting residents, health services and community groups to create safer and healthier spaces. We’d like to thank The Drug and Alcohol Foundation, NSW Health, NUAA, The Buttery and the Mid-North Coast Local Health District for their expertise and support.”

The LDAT program has delivered stigma and discrimination workshops reaching more than 160 frontline workers, Supports Dried Blood Spot testing in the community and integral in helping our partners identify and support the development of four peer workers with lived experience doing community outreach, with more in training.

Shane Moore, a harm minimisation worker at the Mid-North Coast Local Health District, said that the program is changing how the community seeks support and accesses care.

“One of the most powerful tools is education. Whether it’s stigma workshops or naloxone training, we’re empowering people with knowledge to protect themselves and support others. The reality is people often don’t reach out because they’ve tried before and hit a wall, or they’re too afraid of being judged. That’s why having easy access points like the Community Hub is so important,” said Moore.

Neale says the LDAT Program isn’t just about immediate results: “The program builds lasting trust between CHL and the community, while guiding local service delivery and health planning for years to come. Our goal is to create a culture of care, not judgement. Everything we do is driven by the people of Kempsey.”

Moore acknowledged the vital role that CHL plays: “CHL is focused on working together, supporting each other and creating a safer and more supportive environment across Kempsey Shire. Without the steady commitment and focus on collaboration by the CHL team, I don’t think the LDAT Program would be where it is today.”

Members of the Kempsey community can access AoD support via the West Kempsey Community Hub.

For any potential partners looking to be involved in the LDAT Program, contact Steve Neale or Josie Payne on 1300 245 468.