Reconciliation is not just a goal - it’s a responsibility. At Clean Slate Clinic, we acknowledge that the lands and waters on which we work and live have always been, and always will be, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. We recognise the harm and suffering that has been done to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people through colonisation and subsequent harmful policies, which resulted in the banning of cultural practices, stolen generations and intergenerational trauma. With this understanding comes a commitment to healing, respect, and collaboration.​

As an addiction treatment provider, we understand the inequity in burden of disease from alcohol and other drugs on First Nations Australians. This inequity is an enduring consequence of the harm done to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people through colonisation, where alcohol in particular was used as a means of control and exploitation.

This inequity is also evidence of the ongoing challenges Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people face in accessing culturally safe, non-stigmatised care.  We hear firsthand of the challenges our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients have faced in this regard, which strengthens our resolve to address these disparities.

Our inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan is a deliberate and heartfelt step in this direction. It is a map for our journey and guided by our values of social justice, inclusion, and equity.  We are grateful to our partners, such as Armajun and Goondir Health, who have entrusted us to work in collaboration to support their communities and we aim to learn, grow, and co-create pathways to better health and wellbeing.​

Our RAP is more than a document; it is a promise. It commits us to fostering deeper relationships, embedding cultural learning in everything we do, and ensuring our services reflect the diverse needs of the communities we serve.

​I am deeply grateful to the RAP Working Group, our team, and our partners for their dedication to this process. Together, we are setting the stage for sustained change - not just for Clean Slate Clinic, but for the broader community.​

Reconciliation is a shared journey, and we are proud to walk this path alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, now and into the future.​

Pia Clinton Tarestad
CEO | Clean Slate Clinic