Characteristics of clients entering women-only substance use treatment services in New South Wales.

Background: Women experiencing substance use disorders face barriers to treatment, including childcare, stigma and lack of gender/trauma-informed programming. Several non-government organizations in New South Wales run women-only treatment services to address these needs.

Objectives: We aim to assess characteristics of women entering treatment in these services.

Providing better access to oral health care for people receiving substance use treatment: A timely discussion.

Substance use disorders are a risk factor for poor oral health which in turn impacts quality of life. Resultant oral problems contribute to chronic illness, premature mortality, social stigma, embarrassment and reduced opportunities for employment and social interaction. Providing dental services to people with substance use disorders is often difficult due to high rates of oral disease, anxiety, behavioural and drug use changes, and lifestyle factors.

The impact of a 24-hour syringe dispensing machine on a face-to-face needle and syringe program and targeted primary healthcare clinic.

Objective: Automatic syringe dispensing machines (ADM) have become an important adjunct to Australia's needle and syringe programs (NSP). However, concerns that they reduce face-to-face contact with health staff and other health interventions remain. We examined changes in the number of needle/syringes dispensed at an ADM and occasions of service at a co-located face-to-face NSP and targeted primary healthcare clinic during the first wave of COVID-19 restrictions.