Towards a model for the provision of comprehensive services for non-English speaking communities

People from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB) tend to utilize Australian health and welfare services less than those people born in Australia. There is also evidence that migrants to Australia tend to increase their consumption of alcohol and other drugs once they have settled. Therefore, NESB people should be a priority focus for the provision of comprehensive services for the prevention and treatment of alcohol and other drug-related problems. To date there has not been a co-ordinated approach to the provision of alcohol and other drug services to NESB communities. This paper proposes a model for the provision of such services, and uses the Sydney Arabic-speaking Lebanese community as an example. This model draws upon available literature and incorporates strategies of community development, namely networking and dissemination of information, and directs efforts at three levels of intervention.