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Reform agenda for alcohol and other drug sector in Tasmania
Reform agenda for the alcohol and other drug sector
The Tasmanian alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector is undergoing significant reform to ensure Tasmanians affected by AOD use have access to appropriate, timely, effective, and quality services. AOD Sector Reform in Tasmania is guided by the Reform Agenda for the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Sector in Tasmania (AOD Reform Agenda).
The AOD Reform Agenda was released in November 2020. It is a 10-year plan to ensure Tasmanians affected by alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use can access appropriate, timely, effective and quality alcohol, tobacco and other drugs services, supports and treatments.
- It will build an integrated service system that provides better coordination, collaboration and communication between the components of the service system.
- This includes continuity and coordination of care across a continuum including a stepped-care approach and the adoption of a client/consumer-centred approach.
- The AOD Reform Agenda will provide the overarching framework of reform directions and activities that will be phased in to deliver the right mix and level of services to meet the needs of Tasmanians.
- Together with its implementation plan, it will also guide the future planning, funding and delivery of AOD services in Tasmania.
Actioning the reform agenda
The AOD Reform Agenda outlines eight reform directions, each with several key actions, and five priority projects. In 2022, the Government committed $7.4 million over two years to further the five AOD Reform Agenda priority projects.
The five priority projects are:
- Alcohol and Drug Service (ADS) Community Staffing Project
- AOD Homeless Consultation and Liaison Project
- Drug and Alcohol Emergency Department Brief Intervention Team Project
- Detox@Home Project
- Lived Experience Representation Project
Work on the priority projects identified in the AOD Reform Agenda is close to completion, with each project at a different stage of implementation. For more information, please see Project updates below.
Since November 2022, the Department of Health, Tasmania, on behalf of the Tasmanian Government, has been working with participants within the AOD Treatment Sector to understand the community’s priorities and suggestions for implementing the remaining key actions within the AOD Reform Agenda. Read about the implementation of the AOD Reform Agenda key actions below.
The implementation of the AOD Reform Agenda is guided by the AOD Reform Program Control Group (PCG). The purpose of the AOD Reform PCG is to provide a forum for members to represent the views of their respective cohorts and to provide expertise, recommendations, and quality assurance in the development of the AOD Reform Agenda program outputs. The membership consists of representatives from government and non-government AOD organisations, including a family and friend representative and a lived experience advocate.
Developing the implementation plan
From November 2022 to March 2023, the Tasmanian Government consulted with the AOD Sector on the development of an Implementation Plan to inform and guide the implementation of the key actions within the AOD Reform Agenda.
For more information about this consultation process, view the Alcohol and other Drugs Reform Sector Consultation Update. The AOD Reform Agenda Implementation Plan was released in December 2023 and is available below.
Project updates
Detox@Home
Scope: Develop and trial a government led, specialised drug and alcohol brief intervention team within a hospital setting.
Update: The Detox@Home Service was launched in Launceston and Hobart in August 2023.
View more information about Detox@Home.
Drug and Alcohol ED Brief Intervention Team (DABIT)
Scope: Develop and trial a southern, government led, specialised drug and alcohol brief intervention team within the Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency Department.
Update: The DABIT is scheduled for launch in January 2024
AOD Homeless Consultation and Liaison (HCL)
Scope: Develop and trial a statewide, government led, outreach service to support clients who experience AOD use that significantly impacts upon their ability to retain or transition into stable housing.
Update: Staff have been recruited to all HCL positions within the Alcohol and Drug Service (ADS) and the HCL service has been established. Positions are located within ADS Community Teams and worked alongside the Mental Health Homelessness Outreach Support Team when operational.
ADS Community Staffing
Scope: Increase the number of highly skilled and qualified health professionals delivering government led AOD services.
Update: The majority of ADS community specialist positions have been established and recruited to. Evaluation of the outcomes achieved by the allocation of this funding will now be conducted.
Lived Experience Representation
Scope: The Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Council, Tasmania (ATDC) has been funded to employ a project officer to support AOD consumer representation across Tasmania by developing a consumer representative network and an AOD consumer representation organisation.
Update: For more information, please visit Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council Tasmania (ATDC)
Release of the Investment in the Alcohol and Other Drugs Sector in Tasmania Report
Under key action 2.3 of the AOD Reform Agenda, the Department of Health Tasmania along with Primary Health Tasmania commissioned consultants 360Edge to update AOD sector service mapping and funding in Tasmania to see how this has changed since the release of the previous Siggins Miller Report 2017.The final 360 Edge Report was released in December 2023. View the Siggins Miller Report and the 360 Edge Report below.
Reform documents
View the Reform Agenda for the Alcohol and Drug Sector in Tasmania
View the AOD Reform Agenda Implementation Plan
View the 360Edge - Investment in the alcohol and other drugs sector in Tasmania - Final Report
View the 360Edge - Summary of the Investment in the alcohol and other drugs sector in Tasmania
Where to get more information
For more information on AOD Reform Agenda implementation please contact the AOD Reform Team at [email protected]
Support Services
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis or needs to talk about their alcohol and other drugs use, there are a range of support and information services available.
