VAADA - The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association

27/05/2026

As we mark National Sorry Day (May 26) and National Reconciliation Week (May 27 –June 3), VAADA acknowledges the enduring impacts of past government policies and practices on Aboriginal communities.

Following consultation with VAADA's Aboriginal Advisory Committee, VAADA is pleased to release 'Walking Together: Treaty and the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Sector'. A paper designed to support mainstream AOD services to align with the principles of Treaty and contribute to better outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Reconciliation is not passive; VAADA invites you to engage with the reflective questions and valuable Aboriginal-designed resources included in the paper, and consider how the AOD sector can begin to walk alongside Aboriginal people and Aboriginal services to improve outcomes, today and every day.

👉Read the full paper here: https://ow.ly/6bb950Z4E8r

24/05/2026

⚠️Drug Advisory: HE**IN FOUND IN CO***NE products across Melbourne Victorian Department of Health

⚠️ Three people in separate incidents have recently required emergency care as they experienced a he**in overdose after using what they thought was co***ne.
⚠️ He**in is an opioid, even small doses of it can produce life-threatening toxic effects.
⚠️He**in is a very different substance from co***ne, although it often appears in a similar white powdered form.
⚠️Signs of opioid overdose include breathing slowly and reduced consciousness.

👉Read the full drug alert here, including information about acquiring and administering naloxone (a medication that can reverse opioid overdose): https://ow.ly/Uac450Z3GTh

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22/05/2026

The May VAADA Member News has just been released! A dedicated space for sharing sector voices, updates and initiatives from our members.

📣 In this month’s edition of the VAADA Member News, you’ll find…
🌟 Member Spotlight: Brendan Witt, Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation
📰 Member updates from: Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation, Windana, Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Victorian Pill Testing Service
📅Explore 68 Upcoming events and job opportunities via our live boards

View the April Member News 👉https://ow.ly/kre050Z30zX
Find out how to become a VAADA Member 👉https://ow.ly/LWAL50Z30zV

📬 Got something to share? If you’re a member and would like to feature in a future edition, get in touch with us at vaada@vaada.org.au

22/05/2026

The program for the 2026 Victorian AOD Service Providers Conference is now live, bringing together leading voices from across the sector to explore this year’s theme: Shaping the Future of AOD: Culture Connection and Innovation. The program includes presentations form the following:

🔹Keynote Speaker: Victorian Department of Health Chief Psychiatrist of Victoria, A/Prof Sophie Adams, presenting on: Integrated AOD and Mental Health Care
🔹Sheree Lowe, Balit Durn Durn Centre, presenting on: Integrating SEWB in Mainstream Practice
🔹A/Prof Roisin Mcnaney, The University of Melbourne, presenting on: Artificial Intelligence in AOD and Social Services
🔹Prof Vic Manning, Turning Point presenting on: GHB: Treatment Guidelines Project

👉 View the full 2026 SPC program here: https://ow.ly/4H3W50Z2ZVE

🚩Have a ticket and can no longer attend? We have a waitlist, click here to find out how to cancel or transfer your ticket:” https://ow.ly/BEcn50Z2ZVF

15/05/2026

VAADA - The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association CEO Chris Christoforou and Head of Policy and Practice Scott Drummond visited Youth Support + Advocacy Service (YSAS) Dandenong Youth Hub and their new drop in space The Third Place funded by SEMPHN.

Thank you Fotini Strongylos, Danny Alcock, Geoff Balydon, Brett McCaughan, Sally Rumble and the whole Youth Support + Advocacy Service team for sharing their excellent work in providing trusted help to young people and their supporters experiencing drug and alcohol issues across South East Melbourne.

👉 See more about The Third Place Here: https://ow.ly/MFKw50YZSzL

14/05/2026

⚠️Drug watch notification from Victorian Pill Testing Service: Tadalafil (Cialis) and methandienone (Dianabol) detected in pressed pill acquired as M**A.
⚠️No M**A Detected
⚠️The sample is a square coated pill with DP on one side and a half score on both sides

Read the full notification here👉 https://ow.ly/bcWq50YZSeu

⚠️Please share!

14/05/2026

13/05/2026

VAADA has released an official analysis of the 2026/27 Victorian State Budget.

VAADA's CEO, Chris Christoforou says '...total funding for the AOD sector represents only
a modest increase on last year’s revised budget — one that fails to keep pace with inflation let alone meaningfully address core challenges that continue to plague Victoria’s AOD system.'

Key takeaways include:

➡️New opioid pharmacotherapy initiatives
➡️No major expansion in core capacity to address extensive treatment wait times
➡️Primarily maintains existing programs and services
➡️Continuation of Victorian Pill Testing Service
➡️Several key sector priorities as per VAADA's state budget submission remain unfunded

Read the full analysis here 👉 https://ow.ly/CZNZ50YYwWR

12/05/2026

📩 The May edition of the VAADA Monthly Newsletter is here.

👉 Read the full Newsletter here: https://ow.ly/gSAG50YXVBC

Explore the latest from VAADA, including updates across the family violence and workforce spaces, alongside news and insights from Victoria’s broader AOD sector.

🔹 Your invitation to a VAADA Webinar Walking Together: Treaty and the AOD Sector.
🔹 VAADA Press Releases - Focusing on the 2026 State Budget and the latest wastewater drug monitoring findings.
🔹 What we have been saying in the media.
🔹 The latest of the AOD Snapshot Series has been released. The Lived and Living Experience Snapshot.
🔹 What happened at the first AOD Leaders Network for 2026
🔹 Raise It: A Practical Campaign to Tackle AOD Stigma and Discrimination Experienced by People With AOD Challenges.
🔹 Welcome Sara Voegtline and Eve Newton-Keogh to the VAADA Team
🔹 VAADA held the Specialist Family Violence Advisor Showcase for 2026
🔹 Elevate! Updates
🔹 Plus 9 updates and news articles from the sector

🖋️ Subscribe to ENEWS for sector updates and more: https://ow.ly/FAji50YXVBz