Ice: Online Training for Frontline Workers - New Topic
The increase in people using ice (crystal methamphetamine), rather than other forms of methamphetamine, has received much media and political attention due to the unique harms associated with its use.
Crystal methamphetamine is the most potent form of methamphetamine and is usually smoked, thereby increasing the 'hit' experienced by users. While there has not necessarily been an increase in the number of methamphetamine users, those who use it tend to do so more frequently (i.e., weekly/monthly) and belong to more vulnerable groups (e.g., young, female, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander).
There is a pressing need to support people who use crystal methamphetamine, their families, friends, and co-workers.
Ice: Training for Frontline Workers was developed by NCETA as part of the Victorian Government’s Ice Action Plan.
Who will benefit from completing the online training?
The Ice online training resource was designed to help a broad range of:
- Frontline workers from the health, welfare, education, and criminal justice sectors enhance their existing skills and knowledge and guide workers’ practice when assisting clients and their families, and working with their colleagues.
- Organisations and workplaces respond to people who use crystal methamphetamine and support their families, friends and co-workers.
In short, if your organisation supports clients or employs people who use and/or are experiencing problems with crystal methamphetamine, this resource is for you.
What is included in the online training?
Online Training Resource
The training resource is very broad and comprehensive in its approach, but has a specific focus on the identification and care of people who are intoxicated with, and/or withdrawing from, crystal methamphetamine and their families and carers.
The resource has seven independent but complementary modules, with each containing up to ten topics. It is designed to be flexible with content that suits a variety of needs.
You can work through all the modules, just one module, or any number of individual topics. You may want to just select the modules and topics that are most relevant to your particular circumstances. It’s up to you!
The training resources covers a broad range of issues including:
- Information about crystal methamphetamine and its use and harms
- How crystal methamphetamine use affects people and communities
- Worker safety and preventing, managing and recovering from crystal methamphetamine-related critical incidents
- Legal issues
- Interventions for working with families
- Using crystal methamphetamine with alcohol and other drugs
- Communicating with and supporting people who use crystal methamphetamine
- Preventing and intervening in crystal methamphetamine use
- Organisational responses to crystal methamphetamine.
The Facilitator’s Guide
The Guide is divided into three sections:
- Section 1: Information about preparing and delivering training
- Section 2: A brief overview of the online Ice: Training for Frontline Workers resource
- Section 3: Examples of two training plans (one for clinicians, one for generalist workers).
The Guide also contains a set of Appendices to assist face-to-face trainers navigate their way through the online training resource:
- Appendix 1: A detailed overview of each module
- Appendix 2: Links to all the videos from the online training
- Appendix 3: Descriptions of each of the case studies included in the online training
- Appendix 4: Links to all of the other further learning resources and the topics to which they relate
- Appendix 5: A list of all references from the online training (including publication links where available).
Trainers can select modules, topics, videos, case studies, further learning resources and references that are most appropriate to their audiences.
Download a copy of the Facilitator’s Guide.
New Topic: Working with Families
Topic 5.10 Working with Families was added in March 2018. It focuses on workers who are providing health and human services to people with crystal methamphetamine related issues and their families. The topic does not aim to make you an expert in working with these families. Rather it provides an overview of the interventions that can help support families, as well as referral options and mandated responsibilities.
This topic may be of relevance to:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers
- Alcohol and other drug workers
- Alcohol and other drug or mental health nurses
- Community Correctional Services Officers
- Counsellors
- Family support workers
- Youth workers
- Other human services personnel (e.g., social workers, out-of-home care workers).