The Victorian Alcohol & Drug Association (VAADA) is delighted that the Department of Treasury and Finance has chosen Young People Requiring Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Treatment with Multiple and Complex Needs as the priority cohort for the 6th Partnerships Addressing Disadvantage (PAD).
This is Australia’s first social impact bond that aims to demonstrate an evidence base for approaches that effectively address substance use and that quantify a cost saving downstream to other systems of support and service.
There is now a unique opportunity in Victoria for AOD service providers to work with the private sector on outcomes based solutions that shift the dial for this cohort of youth and their interactions with treatment and alternative pathways.
The specialist Victorian youth AOD system was established 30 years ago in 1996, following a recommendation from the Pennington Report into drug law reform. Since its establishment little has changed in the way we resource AOD interventions for young people.
In an environment where patterns of AOD use continue to evolve and where there are escalating pressures on treatment services and intersecting systems of care, innovations in how we strengthen the connection between interventions and outcomes, is not only necessary but overdue.
By making young people requiring AOD treatment with multiple and complex needs the investment priority for this PAD there is now a genuine opportunity to build the evidence base for what works.
Information about the current PAD round and tender are now available.
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact David Taylor on 0413 914 206.