ATODA enters the 2024 ACT election proud to reflect on what has been achieved through advocacy for harm reduction and treatment for alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use. We commend the work of the ACT Government and other key stakeholders during the last term of government for passing the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Act 2022 to shift the approach towards drug use from one of criminalisation to one that is person-centred and health-focused. ATODA also welcomes the establishment and continuing viability of CanTEST, to reduce drug-related harms through a drug checking service. While we join our sector partners in celebrating these key milestones, we also recognise that there is more to be done to support our sector and reduce harms for the ACT community.
The ACT Government must ensure the sustainability of the ATOD sector in the ACT, to continue to provide efficient and effective specialist treatment and harm reduction services to our community. ATODA is also calling for more support and investment into harm reduction measures and we reiterate that therapeutic approaches to drug possession need to continue. Alcohol-related harms need to be more directly addressed; tobacco harm reduction requires continuing efforts, including options for targeted approaches and management of nicotine dependence; and e-cigarettes need to be more effectively understood and with a focus on supporting therapeutic access to those who need them. Finally, action on housing and homelessness needs be taken to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for some of the most disadvantaged people in the ACT.
Sector sustainability
1. Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Sector Sustainability
The ACT ATOD sector’s current funding, of approximately $30 million annually, is $24 million short of the projected investment required to meet treatment demand in the ACT. Despite increasing population growth and an increasing need to improve models of care, funding has remained stagnant within the ATOD sector. The sector is enabled to stay ‘alive’ but not to grow.
See ATODA’s full 2024 ACT Election Priorities Statement
Resources and further readings
Harm reduction measures
2. Harm reduction measures in the ACT
Government expenditure on ATOD only dedicates 1.6 percent of the total budget to harm reduction measures, despite evidence that these measures reduce the rate of health harms and death from ATOD. There is a strong evidence base that taking person-centred and health-based approaches to drug use results in effective harm reduction and better health outcomes.
See ATODA’s full 2024 ACT Election Priorities Statement
Resources and further readings
Reducing alcohol-related harms
3. Reducing alcohol-related harms in the ACT
Approximately 46 percent of clients accessing ATOD services in the ACT in 2023 reported alcohol as a drug of concern and 43 percent of ATOD clients nationally reported it as their primary drug of concern. ATODA calls for review and amendment of membership of the ACT Liquor Advisory Board, alcohol industry marketing and online sales and delivery.
See ATODA’s full 2024 ACT Election Priorities Statement
Resources and further readings
Reducing harms of tobacco and e-cigarettes
4. Reducing the harms from e-cigarettes and tobacco
Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Australia. In the ACT, there has been a significant uptake in the use of e-cigarettes, with approximately one in five (18 percent) of the population having ever used e-cigarettes in 2022-23 (an increase from 11.3 percent in 2019). ATODA recommends that addressing tobacco and e-cigarette use in diverse and marginalised populations should be prioritised in public health policies.
See ATODA’s full 2024 ACT Election Priorities Statement
Resources and further readings
Housing and homelessness
5. Housing and Homelessness
In 2023, 39.3 percent of people accessing ACT specialist ATOD services were at risk of experiencing homelessness. Poor access and quality of housing, and homelessness, can significantly exacerbate harms for those that use drugs. It is important that long-term access to safe housing is attainable, by reducing barriers to include wrap around support, including AOD, mental health and primary health, for people with complex needs in a housing first model.
See ATODA’s full 2024 ACT Election Priorities Statement
Resources and further readings
Authorised by Anita Mills on behalf of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT (ATODA)