QNADA is deeply concerned about the Queensland Government’s decision to enforce a statewide ‘halt’ to all gender affirming hormone care including puberty blockers. This ban will disproportionately affect young people and families who cannot access this support through the private sector, and increases the risk young people will obtain unregulated forms of medication. You can read the statement here Fin_20250220_Statement re ban on gender affirming care.
In October, QNADA made a submission into the inquiry into Australia’s youth justice and incarceration system. We welcomed the inquiry considering QNADA and our member services have long expressed significant concerns regarding the mistreatment of children and young people who interact with the youth justice system in Queensland.
This submission identifies a range of issues relevant to the committee’s scope including:
You can read the full submission here.
In August, QNADA was consulted in regard to the Liquor and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 (online liquor sales). We were generally supportive of the bills commitment to preventing and reducing alcohol related harms through improved regulation of same day liquor delivery. QNADA welcomes the proactive action being taken in relation to this issue and the commitment to prioritise the health and wellbeing of the Queensland community.
Our submission focussed on:
You can read the full submission here:
QNADA recently made a submission to the Submission to the Truth and Justice Commission Bill 2024. Overall, we supported the bills intention to recognise the important role that truth telling and accountability for government actions in progressing reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Within the submission we:
You can read the full submission here.
QNADA recently made a submission to the proposed Making Queensland Safer Bill 2024. The submission stressed our concern that the legislative changes will result in the further criminalisation of young people who use drugs and that it will undermine the key outcomes that governments are seeking to achieve through these policies, including those aimed at reducing recidivism and improving community safety.
In particular, we argued that removing the principle of detention as last resort and allowing cautions and restorative justice agreements to appear on the criminal history of a child will result in further harm to children and communities. Considering that this Act will increase the number of young people who are incarcerated, we also argued that there are significant challenges to equitable access to appropriate healthcare within correctional settings which must be addressed.
You can read the full submission here.
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
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:
Please click here to read the full submission.
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
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
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.
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
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.
