The annual Victorian AOD Service Providers’ Conference is a free event and brings together Alcohol and Other Drug workers, CEOs and managers from state-funded services to hear informative keynote presentations, share practice wisdom, and connect with peers across the AOD sector.
On 20 June, 2025 over 300 professionals, advocates and community voices came together for VAADA’s Sector Forum: From Policy to People – Centring Communities in Our Response.
Throughout the day, we heard powerful insights on public intoxication reform, alcohol policy, justice, self-determination, lived and living experience, and new treatment approaches.
Each session underscored the critical role of community in shaping effective, compassionate AOD responses.
A huge thank you to our speakers, exhibitors, attendees and the Victorian Department of Health for supporting this important event.
On Friday the 20th of June, VAADA brought together over 300 dedicated professionals, sector leaders, advocates, and community voices to explore this year’s theme: “From Policy to People: Centring Communities in Our Response.”
For the Victorian alcohol and other drugs sector, getting policy right is absolutely critical. Policy can enable access, equity, and dignity for people affected by alcohol and other drugs, while poor policy risks deepening harm and disconnection.
Across the day, we heard powerful contributions—from a moving panel on public intoxication reform and alcohol policy, to critical conversations on justice, self-determination, lived and living experience, and innovative treatment approaches. Every session reinforced the importance of placing communities at the centre of our work in the AOD sector and we are grateful to have heard from some of the leading voices in research, frontline services and policy.
A heartfelt thank you to all of our speakers, exhibitors, attendees and to the Victorian Department of Health – our partial funding partner – for helping make the day such a success. We’re energised by the passion and insights shared, an look forward to continuing these conversations and working collaboratively to strengthen the sector.