Publication:Sea Talk Winter 2003/You can get help
The RAN Alcohol and Other Drug Program
By LCDR Morag Ferguson
The RAN Alcohol and Other Drug Program is part of the Human Resource Cell at Navy Systems Command.
The late Brian Kelly, a recovering alcoholic, established the RAN Alcohol and Other Drug Program in the early 1980's. The program has evolved through the years and the focus now is primarily on prevention, identification, intervention and treatment.
There are currently six full time and two reserve counsellors employed within the RAN program. The counsellors are based at HMAS Kuttabul, HMAS Stirling, HMAS Cerberus, HMAS Albatross and ADFA.
Amongst services on offer are a 24- hour confidential telephone counselling, face to face counselling, treatment and referral to other agencies. The RAN counsellors are able to assist with alcohol/other drug issues, nicotine addiction and problem gambling.
Counsellors also provide alcohol and other drug education for all entry/ management courses, and are available for divisional presentations on a wide range of topics. The counsellors can also perform pre and post deployment briefings (on request), and offer policy advice.
Additionally, Alcohol and Drug Awareness Courses and Alcohol and Drug Program Adviser Courses are run for personnel of the rank Leading Seaman and above.
Contact details for the counsellors are as follows:
| The National Manager | LCDR Morag Ferguson | (08) 95533436 Mob: 0417935586 |
| Southern region ADPC | LCDR Debra Byrne | (03) 59507432 Mob: 0409921461 |
| Eastern Region ADPC | LEUT Rod Gillies | (02) 93593186 Mob: 0438217463 |
| Western Region ADPC | LEUT Nicola Blythe | (08) 95533519 Mob: 0438647849 |
In addition to the above, the local Alcohol and Drug Program Adviser is able to assist with alcohol/other drug related issues, presentations and initial screening of personnel experiencing substance related issues. Contact details for Alcohol and Drug Program Advisers are available locally, or on Defweb Navy under NAVSYSCOM, personnel, military, Navy Alcohol and Drug Program.
The references for the RAN Alcohol and Drug Program are namely DI (N) PERS 31-9 – (Alcohol policy) and DI (N) PERS 13-1 (Illicit drug policy).
