VAADA - The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association

VAADA - The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association The Victorian Alcohol & Drug Association Inc. For more information about VAADA and the Victorian AOD sector, please visit www.vaada.org.au.

(VAADA) is a member-driven peak body, whose goal is to promote the reduction of alcohol and drug-related harms in the Victorian community. The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) is the peak body for the Victorian alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector. Our aim is to reduce the harms associated with AOD use within the Victorian community by supporting the sector to provide prevention, advocacy, treatment, rehabilitation and research and education.

🎉 The 2027 VAADA Conference is here!Registrations and abstract submissions are officially NOW OPEN for the 2027 VAADA Bi...
01/09/2026

🎉 The 2027 VAADA Conference is here!

Registrations and abstract submissions are officially NOW OPEN for the 2027 VAADA Biennial Conference!

❤️ The Heart of the Work: Relationships, Practice and People

Join more than 1,100 people from across Victoria’s alcohol and other drug sector for two days of learning, connection, new ideas and practical insights.

📅 4–5 March 2027
📍 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

🎟️ Early Bird registrations are available until 31 December 2026
📣 Abstract submissions close 30 November 2026

Whether your work is grounded in practice, lived and living experience, research, community knowledge or innovation, we want to hear from you.

👉 Register, submit an abstract and explore the 2027 VAADA Conference: https://ow.ly/sLIe50ZHxXY

👏Fantastic to see Western Health SAPPHIRE Clinic at Joan Kirner Women and Children's Hospital, recognised by The Age.The...
30/08/2026

👏Fantastic to see Western Health SAPPHIRE Clinic at Joan Kirner Women and Children's Hospital, recognised by The Age.

The clinic brings together AOD treatment, maternity care, mental health support, peer support and other specialist services to provide pregnant women experiencing substance use with coordinated, trauma-informed and non-judgemental care.

This is such an important example of what integrated care can look like: reducing stigma, removing barriers to treatment and supporting women and their babies with compassion and dignity.

Congratulations to the Sapphire Clinic team, including the lived experience and peer workforce, for this vital work.

👉 Read the full article here: https://ow.ly/hSON50ZF1kf

Image: The Age, Obstetrician Andrea Walker

🚨 Geelong is in the grip of an overdose crisis.In 2025, 45 people died from overdose in Geelong, while 438 people are cu...
27/08/2026

🚨 Geelong is in the grip of an overdose crisis.

In 2025, 45 people died from overdose in Geelong, while 438 people are currently waiting for drug treatment. Greater Geelong also recorded more heroin-related fatal overdoses than any other regional Victorian municipality.

VAADA supports Coroner McGregor’s recommendations, including expanding access to medically supervised injecting facilities and working with local treatment services and people with lived experience to identify gaps in support.

People in regional Victoria deserve the same access to life-saving, evidence-based harm reduction services as those in Melbourne.

As VAADA CEO, Chris Christoforou says: “Every preventable overdose fatality is one death too many.”

👉 Read our full media release: https://ow.ly/isRk50ZFX4y

💜 This Monday, 31 August, is International Overdose Awareness Day.Marking 25 years since it began in Melbourne, this yea...
25/08/2026

💜 This Monday, 31 August, is International Overdose Awareness Day.

Marking 25 years since it began in Melbourne, this year’s theme “25 Years On. Still Needed.” reminds us to honour those lost to overdose, support those who grieve, reduce stigma and strengthen prevention efforts.

Across Victoria, communities will come together to remember, reflect and raise awareness, including:

🔹cohealth IOAD Community Art Exhibition
📅 Monday 31 August – Saturday 5 September
🌍 400 Spencer Street, West Melbourne VIC
More info: https://ow.ly/OJMz50ZF1zk

🔹Uniting Vic.Tas ReGen team: IOAD Event
📅 Monday 31 August, 11am - 12pm
🌍 Where: 26 Jessie St, Coburg

🔹Yarra Drug and Health Forum & The Salvation Army Australia: BBQ lunch with guest speaker: Anne Madden AO (Executive Officer, Harm Reduction Australia)
📅Monday 31 August, 12pm - 1pm
🌍 Where: The Salvation Army, 22 Lennox St, Richmond.

For more events: https://www.overdoseday.com/events-2026/

📢 What are Victoria’s political parties promising on alcohol and other drugs?With the State Election approaching, VAADA ...
25/08/2026

📢 What are Victoria’s political parties promising on alcohol and other drugs?

With the State Election approaching, VAADA is putting AOD policy firmly on the agenda.

Join us for the Call to Parties State Election Forum moderated by retired Magistrate Tony Parsons, where cross-party representatives will outline their AOD priorities for the next term of Parliament and answer questions from the sector and community.

📅 Thursday 8 October, 1.30pm–4.00pm
📍 Collingwood Town Hall, Abbotsford + online

👉 Register now and be part of the conversation: https://ow.ly/oXki50ZF1CI

VAADA stands with Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc in calling for urgent investment in ...
24/08/2026

VAADA stands with Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc in calling for urgent investment in Aboriginal-led Healing Centres.

Today, VACCHO will hold a media event on the steps of Victorian Parliament, marking 2,000 days since the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System handed down its final report. In that time, more than 121 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have lost their lives to su***de.

VAADA strongly supports VACCHO’s call for culturally safe, Aboriginal-led solutions that strengthen connection to Culture, Country and Community.

📣VAADA is hiring! 📣 We are seeking a Policy and Practice Coordinator who combines practice knowledge with policy capabil...
21/08/2026

📣VAADA is hiring! 📣

We are seeking a Policy and Practice Coordinator who combines practice knowledge with policy capability to build service capacity that strengthens Victoria’s AOD sector.

This role will work across policy and practice, contributing to research and submissions, stakeholder consultations, professional networks, sector forums and VAADA’s VAADABase data collaboration project.

We’re looking for someone with strong research and writing skills, a well-developed understanding of AOD issues and policy, and experience in project coordination and stakeholder engagement.

If you’re passionate about contributing to a stronger, more equitable AOD system in Victoria, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 For a copy of the position description click here https://ow.ly/e5hw50ZC7pJ

📃To apply, please send your resume and a short cover letter addressing the key selection criteria to [email protected]. Applications close on 6 September 2026.

People with lived and living experience of the AOD system are strongly encouraged to apply.

📩 The August edition of the VAADA Member Newsletter is here!This month, we’re highlighting the people, organisations and...
20/08/2026

📩 The August edition of the VAADA Member Newsletter is here!

This month, we’re highlighting the people, organisations and initiatives making a difference across Victoria’s AOD sector.
🔷 Member Spotlight: Amanda Stone, Executive Officer at Yarra Drug and Health Forum
🔷 Windana launches its new Strategic Plan
🔷 cohealth seeking artwork for International Overdose Awareness Day
🔷 Bendigo Community Health Services recognised at the 2026 Bendigo Business Excellence Awards
🔷 Alcohol and Drug Foundation calls for stronger alcohol advertising protections
🔷 Sector events, jobs and more!

👉 Read the August Member Newsletter: https://ow.ly/plFZ50ZBH0a

VAADA welcomes the Victorian Government's $7 million commitment to expand targeted harm reduction support where it is ne...
14/08/2026

VAADA welcomes the Victorian Government's $7 million commitment to expand targeted harm reduction support where it is needed most.

The investment will expand high-visibility outreach services in Maribyrnong, Brimbank and Greater Dandenong, connecting people with health and social supports and providing early intervention to reduce alcohol and other drug-related harm.

👉 Read the announcement: https://ow.ly/bNWR50ZzCQJ

IMG: Maribyrnong Park, Maribyrnong.

📢 VAADA is proud to support Webinar 3 of Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) upcoming O...
12/08/2026

📢 VAADA is proud to support Webinar 3 of Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) upcoming ODTP Webinar Series: Consumer Consensus on the Optimal Delivery of the Opioid Dependence Treatment Program.

In this webinar, you will hear what people with lived-living experience of the Opioid Dependence Treatment Program (ODTP) have identified as priorities for optimal delivery of the program in Australia.

The webinar forms part of a broader three-part series ahead of APSAD’s National Consensus for Action Forum: A Roundtable on Australian Opioid Dependence Treatment at Parliament House, Canberra, on 7 September. The series also includes:

🔹 11 August – Reforming Australia’s ODTP: Key Evidence, Priorities and Unfinished Business
🔹 25 August – Pharmacotherapy systems, challenges and best practice
🔹 2 September – Consumer Consensus on the Optimal Delivery of the ODTP

👉 Find out more and register here: https://ow.ly/NbH350Zyipf

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Melbourne, VIC
3067

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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