Media Release
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VAADA Press Release | Drug checking trial will save lives
- June 25, 2024
- Posted by: Trudi Jordan
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No CommentsVAADA and the AOD sector are celebrating as the Victorian Government has announced their commitment to a drug checking implementation trial in Victoria. VAADA has been actively advocating for this over the past 12 months and we look forward to supporting its development. Earlier this year Harm Reduction Victoria and VAADA developed a report “Drug Checking: Principles of Practice” we anticipate that this will inform the trial.
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State Budget does not address soaring drug treatment waitlists
- May 7, 2024
- Posted by: Trudi Jordan
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The 2024/25 Victorian State Budget maintains AOD funding at existing levels, with a 1% increase to $376.3M. This includes $9.7m for the Statewide Action Plan, but excludes a 2nd overdose prevention centre in the CBD. VAADA remains concerned about surging demand for AOD treatment and the sustainability of services.
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Surge in alcohol related treatment demand needs to be urgently addressed
- April 17, 2024
- Posted by: Caitlyn Wilson
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The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) early insights report into alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment has revealed surging demand for AOD treatment in Victoria. The report confirms the Victorian treatment sector’s experience of an overwhelmed AOD system that is unable to respond to community demand for timely support…
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VAADA Press Release | Festival Overdoses Preventable
- January 8, 2024
- Posted by: Trudi Jordan
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The eight overdoses which occurred at the Hardmission music festival on 6 January 2024 are distressing, not only due to the pain and suffering experienced by those directly affected but also for the broader community who view the overdoses as preventable.
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Drug Checking Saves Lives
- November 30, 2023
- Posted by: Trudi Jordan
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PRESS RELEASE: 30/11/2023. The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) supports the drug checking pilot proposed by the Victorian Greens, along with the Legalise Cannabis Party and Animal Justice Party. Drug checking (also called pill testing) is currently being supported by 78 agencies in Victoria including health providers, community service organisations, unions, peak bodies and professional associations.
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Cannabis law reform in Victoria a necessary step to improving community wellbeing
- November 24, 2023
- Posted by: Julia Daly
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The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) supports law reform which reduces law and order interventions among people who use drugs. To that end, VAADA supports the Regulation of Cannabis
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Increasing rates of overdose in Victoria necessitate urgent action
- November 8, 2023
- Posted by: Trudi Jordan
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The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) is deeply concerned about the surge in fatal overdoses in Victoria during 2022 as detailed in the data released by the Coroners Court of Victoria. The soaring number of fatal overdoses is indicative of a preventable crisis with harm reduction measures such as Overdose Prevention Centres and Drug Testing urgently required to save lives.
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Public Intoxication reforms are overdue and need to be supported
- November 3, 2023
- Posted by: Julia Daly
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The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) supports the public intoxication reforms noting that they are a necessary public health measure and that intoxication is unambiguously a health matter. The
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Funding indexation announcement gives security for future planning.
- September 1, 2023
- Posted by: Julia Daly
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The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) welcomes the announcement from the Victorian Government of a new indexation rate and a formula to calculate future funding increases. The announcement will
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International Overdose Awareness Day: Providing Support for Victoria’s most stigmatized population
- August 31, 2023
- Posted by: Julia Daly
- Category:
PRESS RELEASE 31/8/2023 [starts] Providing Support for Victoria’s most stigmatized population The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) stands with families, people who use drugs and the agencies providing AOD