Aboriginal communities will be:living happy, healthy, high quality lives, free from the harmful effects of substance misuse, and in control of their community programs, by achieving: unity, respect, and self determination, through a process of education f The Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA)Inc was incorporated in 1993 as a direct result of the Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths in Cu
stody (RCIADIC). Various community groups, individuals, Government Departments and other bodies gathered to discuss how best to respond to the report. In South Australia the Aboriginal community from across the state met a number of times to discuss the Findings. It was agreed that as the majority of deaths had a drug and or alcohol related component, and considering that over 80 of the Recommendations were substance misuse related, that a community controlled response was needed. After considerable discussion it was decided that one way to address the issues was to create a statewide peak substance misuse organisation. The acronym for the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Inc. is ADAC. ADAC is unique in Australia as it is the only Indigenous peak body of its kind. Currently we represent 20 Aboriginal Community Organisations from across South Australia. ADAC provides responses to a range of state and national committees and strategies, helps communities deal with the problems associated with substance misuse, develops health promotional materials, undertakes research on its own and in collaboration with various universities and key national research organisations.
