Alcohol and Drug Foundation

This May, we're excited to host the Prevention in Place Conference in Melbourne! This two-day event will bring together experts, practitioners and community groups to strengthen capacity for using place-based approaches to address complex social issues impacting people experiencing, or at risk of, disadvantage, or poor health outcomes. Conference themes: ✅  Systems Thinking – Addressing interconnected social issues. ✅  Data – Using insights to inform decisions. ✅  Co-design and Consultation – Engaging communities in meaningful ways. ✅  Leadership and Partnerships – Building sustainable change. ✅  Evaluation – Measuring the impact of interventions. Join us! Or share this in your network if interested! We'd love to see you there! Register here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gKCj4HhP #ADFLife

‘Close the Gap’ is a social campaign that began in 2007 to encourage schools, business and communities around Australia to stand with First Nation Australians. It’s a national movement aimed at reducing health inequalities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. The Australian Government responded to the campaign by creating a strategy with a series of measurable targets to improve the health and life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In this article, we take a look at whether the gap is closing, the impacts of alcohol and other drugs, and what's missing from the strategy. https://brnw.ch/21wRrDv

📍 Our Prevention in Place Conference is almost here! And we're excited to have such a fantastic line up over this big two-day event. 🎤 Let's meet one of our keynote speakers, Dr Luke Craven Luke is the CEO of Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE), a new national organisation that supports the adoption and impact of place-based approaches across Australia. Luke is recognised nationally as a leader in the design, delivery and evaluation of place-based approaches, and in partnership models that bring together government, philanthropic and community stakeholders around shared purpose. Luke began his career as an academic and has also spent time in the Australian Public Service. He holds a PhD in the theory and practice of systems change. Don't miss Luke and our other amazing keynote speakers, register to get your tickets today 👇

Communities can play an important role in addressing and contributing to effective responses to local alcohol and other drug issues. Learn about the differences between community-led and community-based prevention models, factors for success, the pros and cons and evidence from both Australian and international case studies. Read our position paper here 👇

Nicotine pouches are gaining popularity in Australia, but there’s a lot we still don’t know about their long-term effects. As their use increases—especially among young people—it’s important we stay informed and prioritise harm reduction through policy, education and support. Learn more here 👇

A new report from Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reveals that alcohol harm is prevalent in Australia, as it’s still the most common drug of concern for people seeking treatment. And, the percentage of the Australian population seeking treatment is increasing over time. We also know that there's a group of people who are experiencing significant harm from alcohol. Those receiving intensive treatment only make up a small portion of the client population, but account for a quarter of all treatment episodes. Find out more from the report. 👇

What treatments are currently available for ice use in Australia? A person living with methamphetamine dependence may experience challenges with their physical and mental health, education, work, and relationships, which can all have a big impact on their wellbeing. Many people who use ice also experience mental health issues. Managing both substance use and mental health challenges can make the recovery process more difficult. While there are currently no approved medications which specifically treat ice dependence in Australia, there are some promising new treatment options being researched. We explore more here 👇

🙌 We’re excited to announce that Jon Faine will MC the Prevention in Place Conference in Melbourne on May 6 and 7, 2025. Jon was an Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) broadcaster for over 30 years, including 23 years as host of ABC Melbourne Mornings, and is well known for his innate ability to interrogate the most complex political and social issues. We really look forward to Jon hosting our Prevention in Place Conference! 🎫 Don’t forget, early bird tickets close 16 March, get yours here https://brnw.ch/21wRgvv

Parenting plays a powerful role in shaping a child’s relationship with alcohol and other drugs. Open conversations, clear boundaries, and strong connections can help protect young people from harm. In our position paper, we recognise the important role that parents play in preventing AOD use and dependence. Parents should be provided with support to improve their skills and knowledge about substances so as to have conversations with their adolescent that are credible. Read more in our position paper here 👇

Feeling great should be a part of everyday life – help us make it happen. We all deserve to live our best lives – healthy, happy, and ready to take on life’s best moments. The 20-Year Preventive Health Strategy is being developed now to make this a reality for all Tasmanians. Why does this matter? Because good health isn’t just about avoiding illness - it’s about feeling strong, happy, and able to do the things that matter. From spending time with loved ones to pursuing your passions, good health supports everything we do. But here’s the thing - more than 70% of our health is shaped outside the health system. It starts in the places we live, work and connect with others: in schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods. Safe streets, green spaces, thriving local businesses, and strong social connections all play a huge role in keeping us healthy. To truly improve health across Tasmania, we need to address the root causes of poor health to create environments that make the healthy choice the easy choice and support people to live well from the start. A healthier Tasmania isn’t just the health sector’s job - it’s everyone’s business. Preventative health isn’t a cost - it’s an investment in Tasmania’s future. It means kids growing up with better opportunities, workers staying healthier for longer, and older Tasmanians enjoying a better quality of life. Preventative health will help us build the kind of Tasmania we want for ourselves, our kids and everyone who calls this place home. We want to hear from you. What’s working in your sector? What could be better? 📣 Join the conversation at our regional forums. 📅 RSVP today to attend a regional forum. 🔗 Register at https://lnkd.in/giizFddk Venue details will be available soon. Attend one of our face-to-face sessions across the state in March 2025 👇 • Launceston - Tue 18 March 2025, 4pm-6pm • Burnie - Wed 19 March 2025, 4pm-6pm • Hobart - Thur 20 March 2025, 4pm-6pm • Online Forum 1 - Tue 25 March 2025, 11am-1pm • Online Forum 2 - Wed 26 March 2025, 12.30pm-2.30pm 🌐 Can’t attend? Find other ways to get involved at https://lnkd.in/gg5ZMHDw 💬 Questions or ideas? Email us: consultation@health.tas.gov.au Your health, your future, your day. Let’s build a future where feelings great is the norm, not the exception. #healthcareers #tasmania