Media Release
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Press Release | 2026 Victorian Budget does not address high demand for drug treatment
- May 6, 2026
- Posted by: Trudi Jordan
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No CommentsThe 2026 Victorian Budget has seen an increase in the Victorian Government’s total investment in alcohol and other drug (AOD) services to a new record of $415.5M, however the modest increase will not address the systemic limitations that continue to plague access to AOD treatment and support for Victorians.
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Press Release | ACIC wastewater drug report reveals unprecedented levels of substance use
- May 6, 2026
- Posted by: Trudi Jordan
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The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) is concerned by the record levels of substance use reported within the community. The ACIC’s 25th report of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program revealed that consumption of heroin, cocaine and methylamphetamine has reached unprecedented levels of consumption.
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Media Release | Victorian AOD Strategy a welcome opportunity to address enduring substance-related harm in the community
- December 5, 2025
- Posted by: Caitlyn Wilson
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The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) welcomes the release of the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Strategy 2025-2035 as a landmark moment that has the potential to usher in significant benefits for all Victorians.
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Media Release | Preventing family violence: substance use should not be a barrier to achieving change
- December 1, 2025
- Posted by: Caitlyn Wilson
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The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) is pleased to release the position paper entitled Strengthening the Role of the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Sector in Responding to Gendered
Violence in support of the international 16 Days of Activism. -
Media Release | State Budget Submission 2026
- November 13, 2025
- Posted by: Caitlyn Wilson
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VAADA’s 2026 State Budget Submission identifies 10 key priorities to address enduring and emerging issues in the AOD treatment system that impede access to AOD treatment, creating challenges in effective delivery of person-centred care.
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Media Release | No right door: AOD treatment system overwhelmed by chronic demand
- October 30, 2025
- Posted by: Caitlyn Wilson
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VAADA’s 2025 Sector Demand Survey has revealed that on any day during September 2025, there were 4550 Victorians on waitlists for various forms of funded alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment.
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Press Release | Rejection of Cannabis Bill perpetuates poorly utilised law and order resourcing
- October 15, 2025
- Posted by: Trudi Jordan
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The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) is disappointed that the Victorian Government has rejected recommendations relating to the decriminalisation of cannabis following the Inquiry into the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis) Bill 2023.
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Gaps in AOD services contributing to extraordinary overdose toll
- August 12, 2025
- Posted by: Caitlyn Wilson
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The fatal overdose data released today by the Coroners Court of Victoria is of major concern to the VictorianAlcohol and Drug Association (VAADA).
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Drug adulteration from potent synthetic opioids remains a nationwide risk
- April 16, 2025
- Posted by: Caitlyn Wilson
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The tragic overdose fatalities of four individuals in Broadmeadows in 2024 highlight the urgency of a Potent Synthetic Opioid Plan. With a further 601 fatal overdoses occurring in Victoria in the 23-24 financial year, the time to act is now.
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Pragmatic Reforms Required to Curb Victoria’s Soaring Overdose Toll
- October 3, 2024
- Posted by: Trudi Jordan
- Category:
The fatal overdose data released today by the Coroners Court of Victoria is of great concern to VAADA, highlighting the ongoing despair and pain in our community from continuing high rates of fatal overdose.