Smiling older man with healthcare worker outside

Language is Powerful - Language Matters Version 2

Smiling older man with healthcare worker outside

About this resource

The Network for Drug and Alcohol Agencies (NADA) has updated its Language Matters resource which provides workers with best-practice guidelines on using language to empower clients and reinforce a person-centred approach. It promotes language that prioritises the individual over their substance use, offering a straightforward way for workers to show respect for a person’s autonomy, dignity, and inherent value. While aimed at non-government alcohol and other drug (AOD) services it also has utility for any one working with people who are using drugs.

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