ACT Budget

1. Addressing service gaps through reducing waiting times for drug treatment
2. Developing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander alcohol, tobacco and other drug workforce
3. ACT alcohol, tobacco and other drug service user census and satisfaction survey
4. Alcohol, tobacco and other drug worker post-graduate scholarship scheme
5. Stage 2: Implementing Expanded Naloxone Availability in the ACT
6. Addressing services gaps by expanding needle and syringe program delivery modalities
7. Workplace tobacco management in services that support disadvantaged people
8. Subsidised Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) for smokers from priority populations accessing health services
9. Evidence-informed drug driving public education campaigns
10. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tobacco control
11. Outpatient services for drug and alcohol services
12. Developing a comprehensive response to the increasing harms from crystalline methamphetamine use
13. To improve outcomes for families and children by addressing parental alcohol and drug problems in the context of the Out of Home Care Strategy 2015 – 2020 and the Care and Protection system more broadly

For more information: Download the ATODA ACT Budget Submission 2015-16

For more information download the ATODA ACT Budget Submission 2014-15.

1. Collaboratively develop an evidence informed ATOD outpatient services model for the ACT, which aligns with the ACT Labor Government’s election commitment with funding commencement in 2013/14, with the service to begin in 2014.
2. Provide subsidised nicotine replacement therapy (not currently covered on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) to provide equity across non-government and government ATOD service consumers and to complement tobacco reduction andcessation interventions.
3. In preparation for the opening of the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm in 2014,commence the development and implementation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ATOD Workforce Development Strategy, including placements and traineeships.
4. To reduce young peopleʼs involvement with the criminal justice system, promote their safety and that of the community, and to address problematic alcohol consumption through providing a health intervention by expanding sobering up services in the ACT to accommodate referrals for young people under 18 years of age.
5. To prevent chronic disease and promote healthy behaviours and workplaces, by

• a) Including, as a requirement of ACT Government funding, health agencies develop and implement workplace tobacco management policies and programs particularly for those who work with disadvantaged groups who have high smoking rates.

The priority areas identified with the sector included:

1. To ensure that ACT residents can access ATOD treatment and support from evidence and needs based, effective and efficient quality services through increasing base funding.
2. To ensure all ACT ATOD sector non-government organisations benefit from the outcomes from the Fair Work Australia Equal Remuneration Case decision.
3. To prevent and reduce blood-borne virus transmission and infection and to meet current and projected need by increasing harm reduction services in the north Canberra region through implementing a full-time primary needle and syringe program.
4. To improve road safety in the ACT through reducing drink driving recidivism, by increasing access to alcohol treatment and strengthening the partnerships between law enforcement and health services through conducting an evidence-based, evaluated pilot of an alcohol ignition interlock program targeted at high-range and repeat drink driving offenders.
5. To reduce re-offending and poverty and to promote social inclusion by reforming the ACT infringement schemes, including offences related to ATOD.
6. To expand and strengthen ATOD research and enhance ATOD policy and service delivery in the ACT and region, through establishing a structured collaboration, such as a Centre for Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research, Policy and Practice in the ACT.
7. To prevent chronic disease and promote healthy behaviours by implementing workplace tobacco management programs targeted at services that work with disadvantaged people who have high-smoking rates, including at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
8. To improve the health and wellbeing of people experiencing co-occuring mental health and ATOD issues (comorbidity) through enhancing the service systemʼs capacity by implementing three priority initiatives in the ACT Comorbidity Strategy 2010 -2014.

For more information download the ATODA ACT Budget Submission 2012-13.

The 2011-12 ACT Budget was released on Tuesday 3 May 2011 by Katy Gallagher MLA, Treasurer of the Australian Capital Territory.The annual Budget is the Government’s key policy statement and financial plan for the upcoming financial year and forward estimates period for the Territory and its agencies.

The priority areas identified with the sector included:

1. Reducing and preventing opioid overdose-related harms through increasing access to naloxone;
2. Preventing and reducing the transmission and infection of blood-born viruses (e.g. HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and B) through conducting a needle and syringe program trial in the Alexander Maconochie Centre;
3. Supporting a viable ATOD sector and workforce by implementing the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Bill 2010;
4. Supporting quality improvement in healthcare through consumer participation;
5. Reducing tobacco-related harms through promoting healthy workplaces; and
6. Improving our support for people experiencing comorbid ATOD and mental health issues through implementing key actions within the ACT Comorbidity Strategy.

For more information: download the ATODA ACT Budget Submission 2011-12.