Queensland Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies - QNADA

21/08/2026

17/08/2026

🎉 The FINAL program for Australian Winter School 2026 is here!

With less than a week to go, we’re getting ready to welcome the AOD sector to Brisbane for two days of thought-provoking conversations, learning, connection and collaboration.

Under this year’s theme, Risky Business: IYKYK, the conference will explore the innovations, challenges and emerging issues shaping evidence-informed AOD treatment, policy and system reform.

- Hear from leading voices across the sector
- Connect with colleagues and peers from across Australia
- Take part in thought-provoking keynote presentations, panels and breakout sessions
- Explore new ideas, perspectives and approaches shaping the future of the sector

🔗 Check out the FINAL program and explore the incredible lineup of keynote speakers, panels and breakout sessions: https://www.winterschool.org.au/aws-program

17/08/2026

ONLY 2 DAYS TO GO!

In just two days, we’ll be welcoming our delegates to Australian Winter School 2026. We are excited to be seeing you all sharing thoughts, research, ideas and laughs.

When: 19–21 August 2026
Where: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Check out our final program here for the lineup of Keynotes and breakout sessions: https://www.winterschool.org.au/aws-program

06/08/2026

In July, QNADA made a submission to the Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.

Our submission emphasised the importance of taking an evidenced based approach to road safety. We noted that the current approach to roadside drug testing continues a prohibitionist ‘zero tolerance’ policy by testing for the presence of, rather than impairment by, relevant substances (methylamphetamine, M**A, co***ne and THC). This approach extends criminalisation for people who use not only illicit substances, but people using prescribed drugs for the first time, based on the contestable notion that mere presence is equal to impairment.

We recommended that efforts must be redirected to understanding impairment in order to educate patients about managing the risk, instead of penalising patients for the mere presence of a substance.

You can find our submission here:https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/com/SDIWC-1AF9/TOLAB2026-BD3A/submissions/00000008.pdf

You can also hear our CEO, Rebecca Lang, talk with the Committee considering these amendments at Parliament House (1.21): https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Live-and-Archived-Broadcasts/video-on-demand/player/8fe5dd730a344779a11e6b3274696486

05/08/2026

It’s that time of year to start preparing for the next AODTS NMDS submission, which is due to QNADA 15 October 2026.

You can access the AIHW’s AODTS NMDS homepage here: https://www.aihw.gov.au/about-our-data/our-data-collections/alcohol-other-drug-treatment-services/guidelines-for-aodts-data-submitters. On this page you’ll find information about the submission as well as the AIHW’s AODTS NMDS Data Collection Manual, a blank AODTS NMDS Excel data entry sheet, and ABS codes for language, drug of concern, and country of birth.

If you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to reach out to Kelly at [email protected].

Thank you to all our member services who submitted data to the AODTS NMDS for the previous financial year!

In 2024-25, 106 establishments provided 21 968 closed treatment episodes to 14 811 clients aged 10+.

Counselling was the most accessed treatment type (49%) followed by rehabilitation (21%), and support and case management (16%). More than half of treatment episodes were provided to male clients (56%). Treatment was most commonly accessed for Meth/Amphetamines (41%), Alcohols (38%), and Cannabinoids (12%).

Data interpretation notes: The data is limited to those NGO AODTS who submit through QNADA, including statewide residential treatment services. Data from AODTS or similar government services is not included. Please note, in some cases, agencies may not submit data to QNADA. Data indicators with an * represent the top 3 most common categories.

Please click here to read the summary report:https://qnada.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Fin_20260528_2024-2025-NMDS-infographic.pdf

31/07/2026

We are excited to announce that we are SOLD OUT for Australian Winter School 2026!

Only 3 weeks to go and we are looking forward to welcoming 200+ delegates from across the AOD sector for two days of learning, connection and collaboration.

This year's program explores the challenges, innovations and emerging issues shaping the AOD sector through thought-provoking keynote presentations, practical sessions and valuable networking opportunities.

See you on 19–21 August 2026 at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Check out our draft program here: https://www.winterschool.org.au/aws-program

Final program out soon!