QNADA News

Overdose Prevention Queensland Plan

Overdose is a critical social, political, economic, and public health issue.

QuIHN, QuIVAA, The Loop Australia and QNADA have established an Overdose Prevention Queensland Plan in response to the rising threat of the synthetic opioid crisis.

We are advocating for immediate action to address:

➡️ Investment and Enhancement for Harm Reduction Services

➡️Improve access to Opioid Dependence Treatment

➡️Expand drug checking services like @cheqpoint.qld

➡️0verdose Prevention Centres

➡️0verdose Response Strategies

➡️Drug and 0verdose Monitoring Systems

 To read or download the full Overdose Prevention Queensland Plan, click here

Submission to the Inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia

QNADA provided a submission to the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport’s Inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia.

The submission addressed key structural issues within Australia’s drug and alcohol policy, focussing on issues where federal government leadership is needed.

Our submission focussed on five key areas:

1. The need for greater balance across the three pillars of Australian alcohol and drug policy spending, in particular the need to increase the funding for prevention, treatment, and harm reduction.
2. The need for national level governance structures in order to address a lack of coordination in priorities and funding within the Australian AOD sector.
3. The need to resolve issues within the current funding, contracting, and commissioning environment which hamstring the ability of AOD services to operate effectively.
4. The value of reframing the policy narrative around AOD.
5. The value of decriminalisation.

Please click here to read the full submission.

Updated harm reduction resources

We recently updated our harm reduction resources.

These resources provide information on the potential interactions between commonly prescribed mental health medications and licit and illicit drugs, and were updated in collaboration with a group of practitioners across social work, psychopharmacology, addiction medicine, psychology, and public health.

 Please click here or the image below to view or download the updated resources

2022-23 Alcohol and other Drug Treatment Services National Minimum Data Set

The Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services National Minimum Data Set (AODTS NMDS) contains information about alcohol and other drug treatment services; the clients who use these services; the type of issues for which treatment is sought and the types of treatment provided.

In 2022-2023, 107 non-government organisations and alcohol and other drug treatment establishments across Queensland submitted data to the AODTS NMDS through QNADA, including statewide residential treatment services. The submission included 22,393 closed treatment episodes to 17,020 clients aged 10+, a small increase from 21,678 episodes in 2021-2022.

Counselling was the most accessed treatment type (48%) followed by support and case management (17%), and rehabilitation (16%). More than half of episodes were provided to male clients (55%). Alcohol was the most common principal drug of concern for which clients sought treatment (36%), followed by amphetamines (32%) and Cannabinoids (14%).

Data interpretation notes: The data is limited to those NGO AODTS who submit through QNADA, including statewide residential treatment services. Data from AODS or similar government services is not included. Please note, in some cases, agencies may not submit data to QNADA.

Please click here to view or download the full 2022-23 National Minimum Data Set report

Taking collective action: Establishing an Overdose Monitoring System in Queensland

This paper provides a brief overview of the background, evidence, and opportunities for establishing an overdose monitoring system in Queensland. It has been developed by QNADA for the Queensland Mental Health Commission to explore ‘what works, when and why’ to help facilitate further stakeholder discussions and refine an agreed approach.

Please click on the image below to view or download the full paper.

2021-22 Alcohol and other Drug Treatment Services National Minimum Data Set

The Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services National Minimum Data Set (AODTS NMDS) contains information about alcohol and other drug treatment services; the clients who use these services; the types of issues for which treatment is sought and the types of treatment provided.

Data interpretation notes: The data is limited to those NGO AODTS who submit through QNADA, including statewide residential treatment services. Data from AODS or similar government services is not included. Please note, in some cases, agencies may not submit data to QNADA.

In 2021-22, 106 establishments provided 21,678 closed treatment episodes to 14,613 clients aged 10+

Click here for more info: 2021-22 NMDS

New policy position paper

This Systemic Responses: Child Protection position paper is the next iteration of the initial Systemic Responses position paper endorsed by the QNADA board in 2019. Our work on the Responsive Systems project since then has developed our position to be able to separately address issues in the criminal justice system, youth justice system, and child safety system as each has unique intersections with our sector and impacts people who use drugs differently. We want to do a deep dive into each of these systems and suggest how they could improve their responses to better align with evidence on what works to improve the wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Please click on the image below to read and download the full paper.

Refreshed resource – Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Treatment Fact Sheet

The Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Treatment Fact Sheet for non-AOD Treatment Services has recently been updated. 

This fact sheet outlines and discusses some key fundamental elements of the AOD treatment and harm reduction sector. It contains information on common AOD service options, the use of non-stigmatising language, harm reduction advice, and how to make a referral to an AOD service. This resource is suitable for anyone who are new to or hasn’t worked in the AOD sector. 

Please click on the image below to view or download the full fact sheet.

Working with AOD Clients Experiencing Housing Issues & Homelessness Fact Sheet

The Working with AOD Clients Experiencing Housing Issues & Homelessness Fact Sheet has recently been refreshed. We know AOD workers are likely to work with clients who may experience issues with their housing situation, so it’s important to have information on hand to provide support.

Please click on the image below to view or download the full fact sheet.

The Working with AOD Clients who Experience Mental Health Issues fact sheet has recently been refreshed

Please click on the image below to view or download the full fact sheet.

New policy position paper

This Systemic Responses: Young People and the Justice System position paper is the next iteration of the initial Systemic Responses position paper endorsed by the QNADA board in 2019. Our work on the Responsive Systems project since then has developed our position to be able to separately address issues in the criminal justice system, youth justice system, and child safety system as each has unique intersections with our sector and impacts people who use drugs differently. We want to do a deep dive into each of these systems and suggest how they could improve their responses to better align with evidence on what works to improve the wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Please click on the image below to read and download the full paper.

Submission to the Inquiry into Reducing Rates of E-Cigarette Use in Queensland

This submission discusses a range of issues relevant to the Committee’s terms of reference including:

• the importance of understanding the limitations of how data around e-cigarette use (vaping) is currently collated and reported;
• that the overall ‘risks’ of nicotine vaping products are significantly less than those associated with traditional cigarettes and it is important that any perceived risks are balanced against evidence which shows their potential for use as a smoking cessation aid;
• that any approaches in schools and other settings relevant to children and young people which seek to discourage the uptake and use of e-cigarettes should be evidence informed and accord with ‘what works’ in responding to alcohol and other drug use among young people;
• the need for a better understanding of the available research about the risks and harms associated with e-cigarettes, which are largely associated with the currently unregulated market; and
• the overarching need to re-establish a national governance framework for responding to these types of emergent issues in a more coordinated way.

Please click here to read the full submission.