La Trobe University

The Priority Populations team in the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at La Trobe University focuses on reducing harms from alcohol and drug use for populations which face systemic inequities. These priority populations include communities where cultural, religious, geographic, or linguistic factors present barriers to receiving support for substance use (e.g. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other culturally and linguistically diverse groups), and where groups are at additional risk from alcohol or illicit drug use (e.g. pregnant women or young people).

In partnership with communities, it works to inform and support local responses, influence policy, and to secure funding for local services. By facilitating meaningful collaborations, it aims to improve prevention and treatment of alcohol and other drug-related harms.

Our Product

The Grog Check App is being developed to be a valid, reliable, and acceptable digital alcohol screening and brief intervention tool for First Nations Australians, which is integrated into the Best Practice software system.

Alcohol screening and brief intervention are effective ways to reduce risky drinking and related harms in general populations. Yet, it can be challenging and complex to detect such drinking in First Nations Australian primary care settings. Some health workers feel uncomfortable discussing alcohol use due to stigma and concerns about invading the privacy of clients, who they may know personally. Grog Check is being designed to help health workers screen for alcohol use issues.

A partner clinic will be trialing the clinical integration, modify the screening tool based on local priorities, and develop clinical flows to help maximise the potential of this new digital screening tool.