Reform agenda for alcohol and other drug sector in Tasmania

Reform agenda for the alcohol and other drug sector

The Reform Agenda for the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Sector in Tasmania (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.

View the final report for A single Tasmanian alcohol and other drugs service system framework final report

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:

1. Alcohol and Drug Service (ADS) Community Staffing Project
2. AOD Homeless Consultation and Liaison Project
3. Drug and Alcohol Emergency Department Brief Intervention Team Project
4. Detox@Home Project
5. Lived Experience Representation Project

Work on the priority projects identified in the AOD Reform Agenda has begun, with each project at a different stage of implementation. For more information, please see Project Updates below.

Next, the Department of Health, Tasmania, on behalf of the Tasmanian Government, will speak 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

The AOD Reform Program Team has commenced consulting with the broader AOD Sector on the development of an Implementation Plan to inform and guide the implementation of the key actions within the AOD Reform Agenda. Consultation is scheduled for January to March 2023. 

Project updates

Detox@Home

Scope: Develop and trial a southern, government led, supervised withdrawal management support service for people in their home.

Update: A Working Group has been established to plan the fully in-home detox service trial. Working Group membership includes representatives with government, community and lived expertise.

Drug and Alcohol ED Brief Intervention Team (DABIT)

Scope: Develop and trial a southern, government led, specialised drug and alcohol brief intervention team within a hospital setting.

Update: A Working Group has been established to guide the development of a statewide Consultation Liaison Model of Care and establishment of a DABIT model. The DABIT will operate as a function of an expanded Alcohol and Drug Consultation Liaison Service. Working Group membership includes representatives with government, community and lived expertise.

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: Majority of ADS 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: Funding provided to the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Council, Tasmania (ATDC) 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, Tobabcco and other Drugs Council Tasmania (ATDC)

View the reform agenda for the Alcohol and Drug Sector in Tasmania 

View the Alcohol and other Drugs Reform Sector Consultation Update

Where to get more information

For more information on the progress of the implementation of the AOD Reform Agenda 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.