Monthly Newsletter | Edition 34

Editorial

Dear Colleagues, 

This month, we celebrate the 2^nd anniversary of the decriminalisation of public intoxication in Victoria. Our Public Intoxication Response is a long overdue reform, coming after decades of Aboriginal community advocacy to help address discriminatory policing and deaths in custody. It has seen a major shift in how we approach public intoxication in Victoria, shifting it from a criminal matter to a health issue. I recently had the opportunity to ride out with cohealth’s assertive outreach team, which showed me first-hand how we are keeping members of the community safe through compassionate healthcare. With over 60,000 people engaged by Public Intoxication Response services in Victoria since November 2023, this approach is easing pressure on our hospitals and police. As the services continue to become an established part of community safety and wellbeing, their value to the Victorian community will only continue to grow.    

The recent decision by the Victorian Government to reject recommendations from a Parliamentary Inquiry and not proceed with decriminalising cannabis for personal use is a real blow to evidence-based drug policy. The 700,000 Victorians who have used cannabis in the last 12 months continue to face the risk of being charged and dragged into the overburdened justice system just because of laws that are no longer in line with community expectations. Almost 8000 Victorians each year get caught up in the criminal justice system for possessing small quantities of cannabis, with approximately 50% of these people arrested. This has lasting consequences for thousands of Victorians. Continuing to criminalise cannabis use feeds broader stigmatising narratives around drug use, which fail to encourage people to seek help when they need it, while adversely impacting those most vulnerable in the community.

VAADA’s 2025 Sector Demand Survey shows that pathways to get help for AOD use need urgent attention as demand for alcohol and other drug treatment in Victoria continues to put a significant strain on available services. Based on service data from 42 agencies, more than 4,500 Victorians were waiting for AOD treatment on any given day in September – the second-highest figure since VAADA began reporting in 2020. 1,858 people were stuck at the intake and assessment stage, double the figure from just five years ago. Even more concerning is the rise in youth treatment demand, with 415 young people waiting for support — the highest number recorded. The latter points to an urgent need to prioritise the youth AOD system for new investment. VAADA will continue to advocate for an adequately resourced, person-centred treatment system that meets the needs of all Victorians.

Chris Christoforou
Chief Executive Officer

VAADA Updates

VAADA’s 2025 Sector Demand Survey revealed 4550 Victorians were on AOD treatment waitlists on any day in September—the second-highest figure since 2020. Alarming increases were seen in youth demand (415 waiting) and intake backlogs (1,858 people—double 2020 levels).

Acting VAADA CEO Scott Drummond said the 90% rise since 2020 reflects under-resourcing, systemic barriers, and an outdated funding model.

VAADA welcomes the Victorian Government’s commitment to an AOD Strategy to deliver long-overdue reform.

Check out the details in our infographic...

Following the release of the findings of VAADA's Sector Demand Survey, A/CEO Scott Drummond spoke to ABC Drive host Ali Moore. 🔊 Listen here...

As Victoria enters the next phase of its mental health reform, VAADA’s new report Building Bridges: Opportunities for AOD sector collaboration to enhance outcomes for people with co-occurring mental health and AOD needs highlights the urgent need to better prioritise integrated, person-centred care for people with co-occurring mental health and AOD needs.

Despite $11 billion invested since 2021, little has changed for this group of consumers. VAADA’s research has shown that 83% of AOD clients have mental health conditions, with AOD services providing on average 50 hours a week of unfunded crisis support.

The report outlines 12 areas for priority action to better engage the AOD sector, strengthen collaboration and build a truly integrated mental health and wellbeing system for Victorians.

VAADA, in partnership with Bendigo Kangan Institute’s Health and Community Centre of Excellence, invites you to the launch of the 2025 Victorian AOD Workforce Survey Report on Monday, 24 November, 12.00–1.30pm at Bendigo Kangan Institute's Broadmeadows campus.

The report highlights key trends, challenges, and opportunities across Victoria’s AOD workforce, building on 2023 findings to guide sector planning and workforce development. The report will be launched by Emma King OAM, CEO HumanAbility.

Join us for the launch of Partner Peaks on Tuesday, 11 November, 12.30–2pm, marking a new collaboration between the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, Mental Health Victoria, and VAADA.

The event features the first webinar in the series, The Surprising Truths about Psychosocial Safety Workshop, presented by Dr Michelle McQuaid.

This 60-minute session equips leaders with practical tools to meet new psychosocial safety requirements and foster safer, healthier workplaces.

The decision to reject recommendations for cannabis decriminalisation following the 2023 Inquiry into the Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis Bill represents a disappointing setback for evidence-based drug law reform in Victoria.

Despite strong public and expert support—over 80% of Victorians favour reform—the decision maintains an outdated law-and-order focus.

VAADA CEO Chris Christoforou says decriminalisation is a sensible step to reduce unnecessary policing and justice involvement. VAADA urges the government to reconsider the inquiry’s findings and commit to a timeline for reform.

Family Violence

Walk Against Family Violence 2025
A violence-free Victoria. It all starts with respect.

Join us as we walk to eliminate family violence. The AOD sector walks in solidarity with women and gender diverse people who use substances, whose experiences of family violence are often unseen, misidentified, or diminished because of stigma.

The Walk Against Violence is one of the few public moments each year where the conversation about family violence is visible, collective, and hopeful. We walk to widen that conversation, to honour those impacted, and to call for responses that see the whole person and the whole context.

Date: Friday 28 November 2025
Time: 10 AM
Location: Birrarung Marr Upper Terrace, Melbourne

Workforce Development

We're excited to be planning for another year of Elevate! training for the Victorian AOD workforce and we'd love your input. Tell us what topics and training formats would be most valuable to you by completing this short survey. Click here to complete the survey.

Training Update

Sector Updates