Drugs and harm reduction

• Be mindful of your personal safety.  
• Ask the person if they need help and, if you can assist, do so. If appropriate, you could offer water, shade, a seat or ask if you can call their support person or worker on their behalf. If you need further assistance or are unsure of what to do and need guidance, contact the services listed below.  
• If the person appears to be seriously unwell, such as at risk of a drug overdose, or experiencing a severe mental health episode or other serious medical condition, call an ambulance on 000Opens in new tab immediately. 
  Don’t delay calling an ambulance because you think the person might get into trouble – it’s critical they receive immediate medical assistance. Ambulance officers are not obligated to involve the police. Stay with the person until the ambulance arrives.
• Signs of overdose from opioids (such as heroin) may include shallow or no breathing, pale complexion, purple lips and the person may be unresponsive. It might be difficult to determine what drug a person has taken, so deal with what you see, not what you think might have happened.  
• If you are unsure about what substance someone may have taken, or not sure of what to do, please call one of the services listed below. 

If you or someone you know are at serious risk of harm due drug use or other factors, call one of the following services (you may wish to add these numbers to your contacts in your mobile phone).

• DirectLine  
  24-hour counselling and referral service. 
  Phone: 1800 888 236.
• cohealth  
  Located at 53 Victoria Street Melbourne, Cohealth’s City Street Health program is a comprehensive street-based outreach service staffed by health workers such as a GP and nurses. They cover most of the city. Services include drug and alcohol outreach support, homeless allied health, drug and alcohol counselling, homeless mental health, and homeless support services.  
  Monday to Friday: 9am to 10pm 
  Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 6pm 
  Phone: 0438 359 273  
• The Living Room 
  Located at 7-9 Hosier Lane Melbourne, The Living Room is a primary health service that provides free healthcare and support to improve the physical, mental and social wellbeing of people who are, or are at risk of, experiencing homelessness. They have GPs, nurses and alcohol and other drug counsellors onsite. 
  Phone: 9945 2100 or 1800 440 188  
  After-Hours Outreach Service (AHOS) including a Mental Health Nurse, Registered Nurse, and Assertive Outreach Worker  
  Monday to Friday: 7pm to 11pm
• Salvation Army Project 614  
  Located at 69 Bourke Street, Salvation Army Project 614 supports and works with people who are experiencing homelessness, are at risk of becoming homeless, or may be experiencing mental health issues, alcohol and other drug addictions, and social poverty. Project 614 provides services and programs to help people create pathways out of their current circumstances. 
  Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 7am to 9am, 
  Friday and Saturday nights: 10pm to 3am 
  Phone: 9653 3299

• Drum Youth Services
  With headquarters at 100 Drummond Street Carlton, The Drum delivers youth services in Carlton, Kensington, North Melbourne, the CBD, Richmond and Collingwood. Funded by the City of Melbourne, The Drum provides education and employment pathways and helps young people strengthen their social connections and life skills. People aged 12 to 25 years can access services, support and programs for social connection, family life and employment pathways.
  Monday to Thursday: 4pm to 7pm
  Phone: 9663 6733
• Frontyard Youth Services
  Located at 19 King Street Melbourne, Frontyard Youth Services is a specialist youth service that aims to support young people to meet their physical, emotional and social needs and to develop pathways out of homelessness.
  Monday to Friday: 9am to 8pm
  Phone: 9977 0077
• Youth Support and Advocacy Service, Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice Telephone
  This telephone service provides expertise in substance misuse and treatment for Victorians aged 10 to 25 years.
  Call 1800 458 685 for free, confidential support.
• Child Protection Services
  If you are concerned about the welfare of a young person under the age of 18 years, you can contact any of the services listed.  
  If the young person is at serious risk of harm due to their drug use or other factors, contact Victoria Police by calling 000Opens in new tab or Child Protection Services on 1300 664 977.
• The Zone Phone
  A partnership between Youth Support and Advocacy Service, Drummond Street and Odyssey House Victoria, the Zone offers intersectional and whole-of-family alcohol and other drugs support to young people aged 12 to 25 years and their families across the North and West of Melbourne.  
  Phone: 1800 161 327
  Email: thezone@ysas.org.au