Publications

The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association has developed this statement to detail some of the key needs of Victorians experiencing alcohol and other drug (AOD) dependency and related harms. This statement is based on data derived from the funded AOD treatment sector relating to service access and capacity. It highlights that the wait list...

MARAM-Aligned Evidence Based High Risk Indicators If clients that have been identified as victim survivors are experiencing any of the following high-risk factors, they are at increased risk of being killed or almost killed. These high-risk factors are aligned to MARAM and are situated within an AOD context. This resource was created by VAADA...

The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) is alarmed with the overall cut of $39M in service funding to 2021-22 revised budget figures for alcohol and other drug treatment and prevention. This will negatively impact treatment and prevention services which support people experiencing substance dependence. While there are a number of small positive initiatives...

Summary of recommendations Recommendation 1: $2M to support agencies to maintain flexible work arrangements and ensure that service users can maintain connected with online services. Recommendation 2: Permanently resource the $25M 100 AOD workers initiative to account for future demand with additional capacity built in annually over the next four years. Recommendation 3: Resource...

Summary The Victorian government should consider introducing hydromorphone as a supervised injectable opioid treatment to supplement traditional therapies for opioid dependence. Background Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) is the gold standard treatment for opioid dependence and is the primary method for treating opioid dependence in Australia. OAT reduces opioid use, overdose risk, drug-related criminal offending...

MEDIA RELEASE 8/3/2022 Reform proposal a far better way to reduce drug harms The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) supports reforms that will divert people who are caught possessing and using currently illicit drugs away from the justice system. To that end, VAADA supports the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Decriminalisation...

A research report for The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) by Ramon Wenzel, PhD | Curtin University, 2022 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY WHY WE DID THIS RESEARCH For the non-government alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector to be successful and sustainable, it must attract, develop and retain a capable and engaged workforce. Organisational leaders –...

A research report for the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) by Ramon Wenzel, PhD | Curtin University, 2022 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY WHY WE DID THIS RESEARCH The non-government alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector in the state of Victoria (VIC) relies on its workforce to bring about positive change to clients, families and communities....

The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) is increasingly concerned by the surge in alcohol related harm which has been generated by the pandemic and the implied support for increased consumption by the State Government. Victoria has been soaking in alcohol throughout the pandemic, with a surge in sales, consumption and harms. During this...

Message from the Executive Officer Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association’s (VAADA) 2021-2025 Strategic Plan builds on the achievements of recent years and looks to our future landscape. In contributing to its development, I acknowledge the generous input of the VAADA Board, staff, the Victorian Alcohol and other Drug (AOD) sector, colleagues with peer and...