VAADA - The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association

30/10/2026

📢Help shape the future of your workforce. Department of Health’s Mental Health and AOD Personnel Survey is now open.

The Victorian Department of Health is inviting mental health, wellbeing and alcohol and other drug (AOD) workers across Victoria to share their experiences through a workforce survey.

Your feedback will build a clearer picture of the experiences, challenges and needs of workers across the public mental health, wellbeing and AOD systems. The findings will help inform future workforce initiatives and investment, with a focus on improving workforce safety, wellbeing and retention.

Survey details:
📅Closing date: Tuesday 17 November 2026
🕛Time required: Up to 20 minutes
🚩Confidentiality: Responses will be anonymous and deidentified.

Complete the survey here: https://ow.ly/GFiL5102jTS

29/10/2026

👏 Thank you to everyone who joined us for VAADA's Toolkit Top Up event last week!

It was fantastic to welcome 40 people in-person and a further 30 online, bringing together professionals from across Victoria's alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector for a day of learning, knowledge sharing and connection.

A huge thank you to all our wonderful presenters for generously sharing their expertise, insights and practical knowledge, as well as to everyone who attended and contributed.

We also extend our sincere thanks to Camurus for their generous sponsorship and support in making this event possible.

28/10/2026

🏥 Last Wednesday, VAADA’s Scott Drummond (CEO) and Dave Taylor (Manager, Media and Advocacy), visited the newly opened Flinders Street Health, a community health hub operated by cohealth in the heart of Melbourne’s C*D.

Located at 244 Flinders Street, the hub provides accessible, compassionate and coordinated care for people experiencing alcohol and other drug dependence, homelessness, mental health challenges and other complex health and social needs.

VAADA welcomes this important investment in community health, recognising the critical role of integrated, person-centred and non-judgemental care in reducing drug-related harms and improving health outcomes.

🔗 Learn more: https://ow.ly/21835101czY

27/10/2026

📬 VAADA's October Member Newsletter is out now!

This month's edition highlights the people, organisations and initiatives making a difference across Victoria's alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector.

In this edition, you'll find:
🔹 Member Spotlight: Laura Mahoney, CEO of Windana
🔹 Anglicare Victoria appointed to deliver AOD court services
🔹 Opening of Flinders Street Health
🔹 Three Sides of the Coin by Self Help Addiction Resource Centre - SHARC a new video story
🔹 North Richmond Community Health's AOD Outreach and Community Engagement team
🔹 Odyssey Victoria celebrates key milestones
🔹 Victorian Public Healthcare Award winners and finalists
🔹 Plus member updates, sector events, jobs and more!

👉 Read the October Member Newsletter: https://ow.ly/WGv95101cwa

27/10/2026

📣Meet our first VAADA Conference 2027 Keynote Speaker!

We're delighted to announce Scott Wilson as a keynote speaker at the VAADA Conference 2027! Scott is CEO of the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (South Australia), Deputy Co-Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks and Chairperson of Penington Institute.

Join Scott at the VAADA Conference 2027 – The Heart of the Work: Relationships, Practice and People, on 4–5 March 2027.

🎫Early bird registrations are still open: https://ow.ly/Tsyt5101cgm
📃Submit an abstract, closing soon: https://ow.ly/GEWj5101cgo

20/10/2026

💬 What were the key takeaways from VAADA’s Call to Parties State Election Forum?

Juanita Davis from The Salvation Army Australia commends the shared commitment across political parties to reduce overdose deaths, recognising the vital role of mobile harm reduction services. While Jonathan Meddings from Turning Point welcomed the commitment from political representatives to evidence-based harm reduction.

As Victoria approaches the State Election, these reflections reinforce the importance of turning political commitments into meaningful action.

🎥 Hear Juanita and Jonathan share their key takeaways from the forum.

19/10/2026

19/10/2026

📢 Updated Victorian Opioid Dependence Treatment Guidelines released

The Victorian Department of Health has published the updated Opioid Dependence Treatment (ODT) Guidelines 2026, effective from 14 October.

The updated Guidelines consolidate existing policies and COVID-19-era guidance into a single resource to support safe, effective and person-centred opioid dependence treatment across Victoria.

Key changes include:

🔹 Removal of the 30-patient prescribing cap for buprenorphine.

🔹 Greater flexibility in the administration of long-acting injectable buprenorphine (LAIB).

🔹 Retention of COVID-19-era take-away dose guidance.

🔹 Continued provisions for third-party medication collection, with clear criteria and safeguards.

These updates provide important guidance for prescribers and pharmacists, supporting a harm reduction approach that prioritises safety, flexibility and continuity of care.

🔗 Read the updated Guidelines: https://ow.ly/j6Vy50ZYNaq

16/10/2026

📢 Looking for your next opportunity in Victoria's alcohol and other drug sector?

VAADA's latest Jobs Bulletin is out now, featuring a range of opportunities across the Victorian AOD sector!

From clinical and dual diagnosis roles to team leadership, program management and outreach, there are opportunities to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities.

🔎 Explore the latest vacancies: https://ow.ly/Kmo350ZYinZ

💼 Looking to recruit? Advertise your vacancies on the VAADA Jobs Board. Listings are free for VAADA Members, with a flat fee for non-members.

15/10/2026

🎤 What does regional Victoria need from the next Victorian Government?

Following VAADA’s 2026 Call to Parties State Election Forum, we spoke with Robert Lundin from Mildura Base Public Hospital (MBPH) about his key takeaways.

📌 Robert highlighted the need for specific policy commitments for regional and rural AOD services, alongside long-term funding certainty to support services in planning for the future.

A big thank you to Robert for sharing his insights!