Why reducing stigma matters
People with concerns related to alcohol and other drug use often face stigma, discrimination and unfair treatment. This can affect their health and wellbeing, relationships, employment opportunities, housing and access to services and support.
The impacts of stigma can contribute to social and economic disadvantage. Reducing stigma helps create more inclusive communities and makes it easier for people to seek help when they need it.
Reducing stigma and discrimination is one of the priorities of Achieving balance: The Queensland Alcohol and Other Drugs Plan.
Where stigma and discrimination occur
People who use alcohol and other drugs may experience stigma and discrimination in many settings, including:
- health care and public health services
- welfare and support services
- policing and the justice system
- employment and workplaces
- the broader community.
How we are reducing stigma and discrimination
Our work promotes respectful, person-centred and non-judgemental responses to people who use alcohol and other drugs.
We do this by:
- facilitating and supporting the delivery of lived-living experience-led education and training
- building workforce understanding of stigma and discrimination
- promoting person-first and respectful language
- strengthening culturally safe practice
- supporting peer and lived-living experience workforce roles.
Examples of our work include:
- Putting Together the Puzzle: anti-stigma training led by people with lived-living experience for housing and homelessness services
- supporting pharmacists to build capability and reduce stigma towards people who use alcohol and other drugs.
Supporting alcohol and other drug reform
Changing attitudes, changing lives: Options to reduce stigma and discrimination for people experiencing problematic alcohol and other drug use outlines 18 options for systemic reform across:
- health
- employment
- education
- housing
- social services
- justice.
The report provides evidence-informed options to support more inclusive policies, services and communities.
It combines input from government, community stakeholders and people with lived-living experience. It also draws on research from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at the University of New South Wales.
Related information
Learn about stigma and discrimination.
Learn about the impact of stigma on First Nations peoples.