Publications

The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) has lodged a submission to the Fair Work Commission in response to its discussion paper on gender-based undervaluation within the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS).

VAADA’s analysis of the 2025–26 Victorian State Budget reveals a modest 1.2% increase in AOD funding—well below CPI and not enough to meet rising demand. While we welcome targeted investments in pharmacotherapy, multicultural youth programs, and outreach services in North Richmond, the lack of meaningful growth in core funding places further pressure on a...

Over the next 30 years, Victoria’s Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) sector will need to contend with a complex and evolving array of public health challenges, including the prioritisation of integrated treatment for those experiencing co-occurring health and wellbeing issues that involve AOD; an ever changing drug market and risks to health arising from...

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.

This report, drawing on data provided by the Victorian alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector and correlated against data from the Victorian Agency for Health Information, confirms long held anecdotal evidence, that people presenting for alcohol and drug treatment in Victoria do so with very high levels of mental illness and psychological distress.

VAADA are pleased to provide this submission. This Bill is an opportunity for Victoria to align its drug laws with the values and realities of todays society. The Bill’s modest, evidence-based proposed changes will reduce harms associated with coercive and harsh criminalisation and enable law enforcement to better focus its resources on serious crime,...

Over the past year, the VAADA team has remained committed to addressing a disjointed and at times, fragmented service system. We have chosen to drive our efforts to advocate for meaningful reform and enhanced service delivery around access to treatment, data gaps, workforce sustainability, funding and the integration of intersecting systems of care.

VAADA is pleased to present its 2025 State Budget Submission Fixing the Foundations, which offers a range of solutions to address enduring challenges with the AOD service system in Victoria, that meet growing demand for treatment and support, and which can respond to new and emerging threats to community wellbeing.

Following a referral from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP, on 22 August 2024 the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport initiated an inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) in Australia. This inquiry aims to address the profound effects of...

In April 2024, the Victorian Government announced its commitment to develop a new AOD Strategy as part of the $95.1 million Statewide AOD Action Plan. This paper explores shared values, concerns, and potential solutions from Victoria’s AOD sector to inform the development of this Strategy.