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  • Auditor-General identifies necessary changes to drug treatment data system
    • October 6, 2022
    • Posted by: Julia Daly
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    MEDIA RELEASE 6/10/2022 [starts] Auditor-General identifies necessary changes to drug treatment data system The damning findings from the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO) report into Victoria’s Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Data will surprise no one in the alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment sector. The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) welcomes this report which

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  • Coronial death toll drops but so much more to be done
    • August 30, 2022
    • Posted by: Caitlyn Wilson
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    MEDIA RELEASE 30/8/2022 [starts] Coronial death toll drops but so much more to be done 2021 fatal overdose data released The Coroners Court of Victoria today released the 2021 fatal overdose data which shows a reduction in fatal overdose from 536 (2020) to 500 (2021). The release of this data is timely with International Overdose

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  • Welcome commitment for additional residential AOD services
    • July 26, 2022
    • Posted by: Julia Daly
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    The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) welcomes the commitment from the Victorian Opposition to resource additional residential rehabilitation and withdrawal capacity in Shepparton, Warrnambool, La Trobe as well as Frankston and Melbourne. This commitment, on top of the Victorian government’s earlier uplift would create equity in access across most of Victoria with regard to

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  • Pandemic Oversight Committee Minority Report recommends increased drug treatment capacity
    • July 26, 2022
    • Posted by: Julia Daly
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    The Pandemic Declaration Accountability and Oversight Committee (the Committee) today released two reports which made a number of recommendations. The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) supports recommendations 13 – 16 of the Minority Report which highlight the increasing alcohol and other drug (AOD) harms and soaring demand for AOD treatment which has occurred during

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  • Alcohol and other drug system under pressure – more support now
    • May 30, 2022
    • Posted by: Julia Daly
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    Victoria’s alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment system cannot meet community demand for treatment. COVID-19 has only made this worse. The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) today releases their election statement calling for fair and equitable access to AOD treatment across Victoria. The statement, referencing Victorian AOD treatment agency waitlist data, reveals that the

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  • VAADA Victorian Budget Pack 2022/23: Funding cut to drug treatment during pandemic will place lives in jeopardy
    • May 3, 2022
    • Posted by: Julia Daly
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    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 and

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  • Reform proposal a far better way to reduce drug harms
    • March 10, 2022
    • Posted by: Julia Daly
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    MEDIA RELEASE 8/3/2022 [starts] 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 of

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  • Leadership required to reduce alcohol harms
    • December 13, 2021
    • Posted by: Julia Daly
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    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 time,

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  • International Overdose Awareness Day – The forgotten people: surging overdose toll in COVID-19 year
    • August 31, 2021
    • Posted by: Julia Daly
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    Media Statement                                                                                                                                                                 30 August 2021 [starts]   International Overdose Awareness Day The forgotten people: surging overdose toll in COVID-19 year   International Overdose Awareness Day gives us time to take stock of both how much we have achieved and how much more there is to do to prevent fatal overdose. International Overdose Awareness

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  • Cannabis Inquiry: lost opportunity perpetuates harm
    • August 5, 2021
    • Posted by: Julia Daly
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    The report from the Inquiry into Cannabis in Victoria, while asserting support for drug law reform, does not recommend it. While this is a step in the right direction, in light of the failures of prohibition in reducing cannabis use and harms, it is also a missed opportunity. While supporting many of the recommendations, the

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