Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA)

📣 Community Health Service Pharmacotherapy Grants The Victorian Government is making sure Victorians seeking medical treatment for opioid dependence can access this in their community, thanks to a new grant program for community health services. Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt has opened the $8.4 million Community Health Service Pharmacotherapy Grants which will make this life-changing treatment available in more locations across the state. The grants program will support state-funded community health services to deliver pharmacotherapy services across areas of high-demand or looming service gaps, which will provide access for up to 1,500 more Victorians. For further information about the grants, including eligibility and application processes, please visit: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gfuXUt8Z #AOD #HarmReduction

📣 VAADA CONFERENCE 2025 NEWS 📣 Sponsorship Opportunities Closing 31 October! Become a sponsor of our 2025 Conference and gain exposure to a wide audience of over 1,500 attendees over two days. We are seeking the involvement of non-government organisations from the AOD sector, alcohol and drug advocacy groups, hospitals, unions, academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies and other industries or sectors who want to reduce the harm associated with substance use. There are 4 sponsorship levels available, click below to find out more... 👉 https://lnkd.in/gK8jbkyB Thanks to the organisations who have already taken out sponsorship: Platinum Odyssey House Victoria Gold Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch), The Salvation Army Australia, Uniting Silver cohealth, Youth Support + Advocacy Service, Turning Point Exhibitors LanguageLoop, HESTA, Windana, Australian Drug Foundation, Alcohol and Drug Foundation, , Family Drug Support, Latrobe Community Health Service, Indivior and Youth Projects

Yesterday VAADA hosted an impactful one day symposium focused on supporting women’s experiences with substance use. The event emphasised the distinct barriers women face in accessing treatment and support, highlighting the need for gender responsive practices. We heard from leading experts and powerful women with lived experiences. We hope we have empowered everyone involved today to make a meaningful difference in women’s AOD journeys. Thank you to all who attended and were involved in the day. #VAADA #GenderResponsiveCare #AOD

🌟 VAADA proudly endorses the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Pill Testing) Bill 2024! 🌟 Pill testing, or drug checking, is a critical harm reduction measure that can save lives by offering Victorians an early warning system against dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes. With over 1000 overdose deaths in Victoria in the past two years, it's clear we need more than just treatment—harm reduction must play a pivotal role. We urge Parliament to support this evidence-based approach and prevent further loss of life. #PillTesting #HarmReduction #SaveLives #AOD 👉https://lnkd.in/ghf-YfAy

🌟 Calling all queer AOD workers! 🌟 Join the Sex, Sexuality, and Gender Diverse AOD Worker Network – a supportive space where we celebrate diversity, share experiences, and build community! Whether you're looking to connect with like-minded professionals in AOD, learn new skills, or contribute your unique voice, this network is for you. Our next meeting is 14 November and we’d love to see you there!🏳️🌈✨ 📅 Ready to join? Sign up here! 👉 https://lnkd.in/gG7K5Ziy #LGBTQIA #InclusiveWorkspaces #Community #AOD #VAADA

Content Warning: This post discusses eating disorders and co-occurring conditions. Today, the Victorian Department of Health announced the launch of the Victorian Eating Disorders Strategy 2024–2031. At VAADA, we support this critical step in addressing the rising impact of eating disorders, particularly their connection to substance use and other mental health challenges.   As part of the strategy, screening for eating disorders will be embedded within screening tools, including the alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector, ensuring individuals facing both substance use and disordered eating can access the care they need.   This strategy is a significant move towards fostering a healthier, more inclusive community.   Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/g_cQfu87   For support, contact: 🔶 Eating Disorders Victoria: 1300 550 236 🔶 Lifeline: 13 11 14 🔶 Butterfly Foundation: 1800 334 673 🔶 In an emergency: Call 000   #EatingDisorders #AODSupport #MentalHealthRecovery #BreakingStigma

💥 This week, we held our first in-person workshops as part of the AOD Leadership Accelerator Program, a collaboration between RMIT University and VAADA. It was wonderful to meet our participants, some of whom travelled from across Victoria to join us. The sessions were inspiring, with our emerging leaders thoughtfully participating in discussions around leadership and management within the AOD sector. 🤝 VAADA was also honoured to attend the RMIT Vocational Education Partnerships Award and Networking Evening earlier this month, where partnerships between RMIT and industry were celebrated. We look forward to continuing this collaboration through the delivery of the AOD Leadership Accelerator Program. #VAADA #AOD #Leadership

📣 VAADA CONFERENCE 2025 NEWS 📣 ⁉ Have you submitted your Abstract? There are three weeks left until Abstract Submissions will close. Click here to begin: https://lnkd.in/gnCcbbEH 🐦 Early bird tickets are still available! Click here to register: https://lnkd.in/gKP4dZur We can't wait to see you there! #VAADA #VAADAConference2025 #AOD

The VAADA team was thrilled to meet with Professor Gail Gilchrist from King's College London during her visit to Melbourne. Professor Gilchrist is leading innovative research into the relationship between substance use and behaviour change programs, specifically through the ADVANCE-D program, in partnership with La Trobe University. It was a privilege to hear from Professor Gilchrist about her impactful work and explore how our sector can continue to drive behaviour change, not only in substance use intervention but also in the critical context of domestic and family violence. #VAADA #AOD #FamilyViolence

🎉 CONFERENCE NEWS 🎉 We’re thrilled to announce our first Keynote Speaker for the VAADA Conference 2025... Emeritus Professor Doug Sellman from the University of Otago. Professor Sellman is a leading figure in addiction research, practice and reform, particularly in the area of alcohol, in Aotearoa New Zealand. He was the Director of the National Addiction Centre, University of Otago, Christchurch from 1996 to 2017 and a Professor of Psychiatry & Addiction Medicine within the Department of Psychological Medicine from 2006 to 2022. Now retired, he is continuing alcohol law reform advocacy work as a medical spokesperson for Alcohol Action New Zealand, and undertaking a small private clinical practice. Stay tuned for more speaker announcements in the coming weeks. #VAADA #VAADAConference2025