Alcohol and Other Drug Consumer & Community Coalition

23/04/2026

The Western Australian Mental Health Commission (MHC) have released the WA Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy 2026-2031.

This Strategy aligns with the State Government priority where all Western Australians can access the healthcare we need, when we need it. The Strategy provides a guide for the transformation of WA’s mental health and alcohol and other drugs systems to empower and support people, families and communities in their wellbeing.

Back in 2024, the AODCCC received a grant from MHC to conduct consultations with our members to gather community feedback on the initial Discussion Paper, which then defined the draft Strategy. We provided MHC with a report of our consultation findings, for consideration and input into the final Strategy. This included direct quotes from our members, as pictured! (found on pg. 90 of the Strategy)

We were pleased with the opportunity to provide a platform for lived and living experience perspectives to be considered in the development of this important strategy for the WA community.

You can access the WA Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy here: https://mhaod.mhc.wa.gov.au/

22/04/2026

🎉 New training available for AODCCC Members! 🎉

Substance Use Stigma: Awareness & Action Training

Seen as an accompaniment to our Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Stigma Position Paper, this training is a culmination of our AOD Stigma Reduction work to date. It reflects our grassroots values, our commitment to genuine consumer involvement, and our belief in the power of lived and living expertise to drive change.

This training is a full‑day, supportive and interactive workshop focused on understanding, navigating, and responding to substance use stigma. Participants can expect a welcoming environment that prioritises safety and centres strength, resilience, and collective action.

Participants will build:
🟢A clear understanding of what substance use stigma is, how it forms and how it shows up in everyday life, systems, and services.
🟢Practical skills to recognise and challenge stigma safely and strategically.
🟢Strategies for self‑advocacy, resilience, boundary‑setting and emotional pacing.
🟢Insight into how Lived and Living Experience leadership contributes to collective change.

We are hosting this training for AODCCC members in May 2026!

You can find all the information including how to register, in our most recent newsletter!

DM us if you have any questions 😊

Are you interested in this training but not yet a member?
Visit our website to sign up (it's free!) so you can be eligible for future training opportunities! https://aodccc.org/about-aodccc/memberships/

17/04/2026

Our submission to the Federal Inquiry into Australia's Illegal To***co Crisis 2026 is now published on our website.

You can read here:https://aodccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AODCCC-Response-to-Illegal-To***co-Crisis-in-Australia-2026.pdf

Last week, the AODCCC submitted a response to the Federal Inquiry into Australia’s Illegal To***co Crisis.

Our submission was informed by the realities and diverse perspectives of our Member Reference Group. Some of the key advocacy points within our submission call for:
- Improved funding for accessible and affordable, evidence-based health supports, including cessation services and ni****ne-reduction treatments.
- Strengthening early, age-appropriate education on va**ng and ni****ne use.
- Embedding Lived and Living Experience in policy design, implementation and evaluation.

Stay tuned! Our submission will be made publicly available on our website soon. You can follow this Inquiry here: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Legal_and_Constitutional_Affairs/To***co2025

🤔Want to learn more about this topic?

The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) are hosting a webinar about Australia's illicit to***co market and its drivers and deterrents.

Happing online via Zoom on 9th April 2026 at 1pm (Perth time).

The webinar will explore research findings on people's behaviours, motivations and perceptions related to illicitly traded to***co use. It will conclude with a discussion of the policy responses that are most likely to be effective in reducing demand for illicitly traded to***co in Australia.

For more information and to register to attend, visit https://www.unsw.edu.au/research/ndarc/news-events/events/australias-illicit-to***co-market-drivers-and-deterrents

15/04/2026

The first-ever National Mental Health and Su***de Prevention Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce Census is open for 1 more week!

By taking part in the census, you can help build the evidence needed to strengthen the Lived Experience (Peer) workforce across Australia, and ensure the work you do is better understood, valued and supported.

🤔Are you an AOD Lived Experience (Peer) worker?
The census is targeted towards those in roles with a specific focus on mental health/social and emotional wellbeing, and/or su***de prevention.
However, there is recognition that some roles are not exclusively based in a mental health or su***de prevention setting, but may overlap with, or be integrated into areas such as alcohol and other drugs (AOD).

So, if you are a Lived Experience (Peer) worker in an AOD setting and your role includes aspects of mental health and/or su***de prevention, then you are eligible to take part.

We encourage those in eligible roles in AOD settings to complete this survey, as this will ensure AOD Lived Experience (Peer) workers are acknowledged and included in the outcomes of this census!

The census survey takes around 15 minutes to complete, and all responses are confidential and will be de-identified.

📍Complete the Census here: https://surveys.srcentre.com.au/wix/p604210007577.aspx
Open until Friday 24th April 2026.

The Census is being conducted by the Social Research Centre and The Australian Centre for Social Innovation, on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
For more info about the census, visit the webpage here: https://srcentre.com.au/project-lived-experience-peer-workforce-census/

10/04/2026

🎉 Our 5th Annual Membership Survey is Open Now! 🎉

If you’re an AODCCC Member, check your emails for the link to complete the 2026-27 Annual Membership Survey.

Your experience and perspective are the compass for everything we do!
Your voice matters - make it heard! 📢

07/04/2026

We have been very busy this past month working towards alcohol and other drugs systemic change for WA! Here’s a small update..

We have:

✔️ Provided a written submission to the current Federal Inquiry into Australia’s Illegal To***co Crisis.

✔️ Provided a written response to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing as part of the first stage of consultation on proposed Drug and Alcohol Program (DAP) reforms.

✔️ Developed an Opinion Piece towards Optus Stadium introducing full-strength beer.

The Systemic Advocacy work of the AODCCC is defined by the voices and experiences of our membership, which is made up of over 990 individuals!

Whether it be through surveys, workshops, focus groups or reference groups, the work we do and the positions we have are guided by you – the people and community that is affected by the AOD systems and policies that exist in WA.

To keep up to date with our Systemic Advocacy work, visit the Systemic Advocacy tab on our website: https://aodccc.org/systemic-advocacy/

💚 Your experience matters! By becoming a member, you can contribute your voice and your experiences to help us affect change and move beyond stigma! Visit our website to learn more! https://aodccc.org/about-aodccc/memberships/

02/04/2026

AODCCC will be closed over the Easter long weekend from Friday 3rd April and we will be reopening on Tuesday 7th April.

We hope everyone has a safe and healthy long weekend, no matter what this holiday period means for you!

See you next week ✌️🐰

P.S. If you’re an AODCCC member, the April Newsletter will be hitting your inbox on Friday 3rd so if you don’t have big plans for the weekend, we’ve got you covered 😊

31/03/2026

Last week, the AODCCC submitted a response to the Federal Inquiry into Australia’s Illegal To***co Crisis.

Our submission was informed by the realities and diverse perspectives of our Member Reference Group. Some of the key advocacy points within our submission call for:
- Improved funding for accessible and affordable, evidence-based health supports, including cessation services and ni****ne-reduction treatments.
- Strengthening early, age-appropriate education on va**ng and ni****ne use.
- Embedding Lived and Living Experience in policy design, implementation and evaluation.

Stay tuned! Our submission will be made publicly available on our website soon. You can follow this Inquiry here: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Legal_and_Constitutional_Affairs/To***co2025

🤔Want to learn more about this topic?

The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) are hosting a webinar about Australia's illicit to***co market and its drivers and deterrents.

Happing online via Zoom on 9th April 2026 at 1pm (Perth time).

The webinar will explore research findings on people's behaviours, motivations and perceptions related to illicitly traded to***co use. It will conclude with a discussion of the policy responses that are most likely to be effective in reducing demand for illicitly traded to***co in Australia.

For more information and to register to attend, visit https://www.unsw.edu.au/research/ndarc/news-events/events/australias-illicit-to***co-market-drivers-and-deterrents

27/03/2026

The first-ever National Mental Health and Su***de Prevention Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce Census is LIVE!

Your lived experience is your expertise, whether in peer support, representation, education, training, management and/or supervision, research, consultancy, policy development and systemic advocacy, or executive governance.
By taking part in the census, you can help build the evidence needed to strengthen the Lived Experience (Peer) workforce across Australia, and ensure the work you do is better understood, valued and supported.

🤔Are you an AOD Lived Experience (Peer) worker?
This census is targeted towards those in roles with a specific focus on mental health/social and emotional wellbeing, and/or su***de prevention.
However, there is recognition that some roles are not exclusively based in a mental health or su***de prevention setting, but may overlap with, or be integrated into areas such as alcohol and other drugs (AOD).

So, if you are a Lived Experience (Peer) worker in an AOD setting and your role includes aspects of mental health and/or su***de prevention, then you are eligible to take part.

We encourage those in eligible roles in AOD settings to complete this survey, as this will ensure AOD Lived Experience (Peer) workers are acknowledged and included in the outcomes of this census!

The census survey takes around 15 minutes to complete, and all responses are confidential and will be de-identified.

📍Complete the Census here: https://surveys.srcentre.com.au/wix/p604210007577.aspx
Open until 18th April 2026.

For more info about the census, visit the webpage here: https://srcentre.com.au/project-lived-experience-peer-workforce-census/

19/03/2026

The Western Australian Mental Health Commission have opened applications for the 2026 Volunteer Drug and Alcohol Counsellors’ Training Program!

The free program is designed for those interested in making a difference in the alcohol and other drug (AOD) space and offers a comprehensive pathway into the sector.

Successful applicants will undertake a five-month, face to face training program held at the Mental Health Commission in Perth, followed by 12 months practical placement with an AOD agency.

Applications close on 6th April 2026.

To learn more about the program and how to apply, visit the Mental Health Commission website!

Find out more about the Volunteer Drug and Alcohol Counsellors’ Training Program.

18/03/2026

Have you been thinking about taking part in this year's HBF Run for a Reason?

The 2026 HBF Run for a Reason is happening on Sunday 24th May!

The AODCCC is once again a registered charity that you can fundraise for, by participating in this year's Run for a Reason and nominating us as your chosen charity to support!

Help us grow and spread the word about the AODCCC! 😊

To learn more and find out how to register for the event, visit:
https://runforareason26.grassrootz.com/aodccc?utm_source=gr-email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=control&utm_campaign=Charity%20joins%20event%20email%201&utm_term=Workflow&vero_id=campaign-event-org-1808-account-1215818&vero_conv=RPXTW_rFPukmw3Xjk2Od36-wFqXezOD_bH_cwxqDwTEwKZybTpI9Mlei4Svl1Q0zqIMBb2AWmz2LFgX-_ZLw7zwVqeW5qJ11mDvEYnoKMd0a

13/03/2026

Our Annual Membership Surveys are just one of the ways we capture what’s important to our members!

Through ongoing co-design opportunities, consultations, workshops, training and upskilling, and broader collaboration, we are able to harness the diverse and valuable lived and living experiences of those within our membership.

Our goal, through systemic advocacy, is to amplify the voices of our members to the highest levels of government and decision-making, to ensure that the systems and supports that impact the community, are informed by the community!

Join us on our mission to promote the interests, education and welfare of those affected by alcohol and other drug use.

By becoming a member, you can contribute your voice and your experiences to help us affect change and move beyond stigma!

📍Visit https://aodccc.org/about-aodccc/memberships/ to learn more!