Substance Misuse Limestone Coast - SMLC

01/09/2026

This is Australia's deadliest overdose year on record.

The numbers are shocking, and increasing rather than decreasing.

Seven Australians are dying a day of overdose and the majority are older people.

The latest Pennington Institute data shows 2596 Australians died of overdose - one death every 3.5 hours.

It's a national public health crisis, which demands urgent national action.

We support the call for increased investment and treatment services, particularly in regional areas.

We thank the City of Mount Gambier and Rotary Club Mount Gambier West for supporting the Limestone Coast Drug Action Team's International Overdose Awareness Day event in Mount Gambier on Monday night.

Also, all the awesome people who came to acknowledge those who have died, and those who are grieving someone who has died from overdose.

SMLC Project Manager Sophie Bourchier

31/08/2026

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. Tonight, some of Mount Gambier's best-known landmarks will be lit up purple to remember the people who have died from overdose and to acknowledge the grief and loss that family members and friends carry in silence due to the stigma that is attached to overdose deaths.
One death every 3.5 hours: Australia's deadliest overdose year on record demands urgent national action. The 2024 deaths from drug-induced causes are the highest number ever recorded: 2,596. Australia is losing seven people every day to overdose; that's one son, daughter, partner or friend every 3.5 hours, and the nation's latest data shows the crisis is accelerating, not slowing down.
Join us this evening as we gather together on the verandah of the Mount Gambier Library at 5.30pm to support families and reduce stigma.

24/08/2026

Join us on Monday, August 31 for the Mount Gambier International Overdose Awareness Day event.

Bring a candle as we gather for the world's annual campaign to end overdose.

Thank you for your support.

Team SMLC

20/08/2026

Meet our newest Board member - Superintendent Trent Cox.

Superintendent Cox is Officer-in-Charge Limestone Coast region, bringing thirty-five years of experience with SAPOL.

Over his last thirteen years as a Senior Police Officer, Superintendent Cox led SAPOL’s response to two Royal Commissions – the national Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse from 2013-17, and the state Child Protection Systems Royal Commission from 2014-16.

Superintendent Cox also co-led the implementation of the Multi-Agency Protection Service (MAPS), an innovative information sharing model led by SAPOL, which aims to reduce the incidence or impact of domestic abuse in communities.

Growing up in regional South Australia, Superintendent Cox understands both the opportunities and challenges of city versus regional policing and the importance of working collaboratively with local service providers and stakeholders.

A strong interest in SMLC’s mission and purpose brought Superintendent Cox to join the SMLC Board, and an alignment with SMLC’s view that alcohol and other drug misuse should be treated as an overall health issue.

Welcome to the SMLC Board Trent.

16/08/2026

Our message has gone mobile!

Next time you travel behind a local city bus, you may spot our latest messaging - a strong reminder that there is no safe level of alcohol for young people.

A big thanks to our Friend of SMLC Complete Real Estate for their ongoing support.

13/08/2026

Many thanks to those who attended our From Detox, Harm Reduction & Hope training session last week at Adelaide University, Mount Gambier campus.

Attendees heard from senior DASSA clinical staff on topics including neuroanatomy and psychopharmacology, prescription op**te addiction, the Needle and Syringe Program and also, incredible lived experience stories.

The purpose of the training was to strengthen workforce capability across a diverse cohort of agencies working with people who may be affected by op**te addiction, providing a comprehensive learning experience.

This session follows on from our successful 2025 DASSA training day, where

SMLC identified growing AOD and allied workforce training as an essential requirement for our region.

We'll continue to bring vital AOD-related training to our region because our local professionals are telling us they need accessible training.

16/07/2026

Highly recommend!

📢 If you’re a worker in the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) sector you can’t afford not to know about FASD!

Enrol today in our informative online course, which is not only free, but also self-paced so you can complete this whenever it suits you.

We've received feedback about how useful the content and insights are proving for those working with individuals impacted by FASD. Professionals from sectors other than AOD have also indicated that this course is helpful for understanding aspects of FASD that intersect with their work.

Anyone who wants to learn more about FASD is encouraged to enrol in this course.

👉 Learn more and enrol at: https://buff.ly/rEcBvUw

16/07/2026

Another FREE Skill Set for anyone wanting to work in the Alcohol and Other Drug or Mental Health sectors. It's FREE for people in the postcodes of 5290 and 5291. I believe it starts soon, so register ASAP. How cool!!

15/07/2026

Great news!! GenU is offering the Alcohol and Other Drugs Skill Set free for people in 5290 and 5291. It starts soon, I believe, so if you're interested, I strongly suggest you contact GenU soon.
Cheers!

09/07/2026

Wowwee, this is going to be a goody, and it's the last professional development and networking opportunity SMLC will be bringing in 2026.
DASSA is South Australia's peak government body in AOD Health, and the facilitators are our leading practitioners and knowledge banks.
Additionally, the conversations that occur in these training days are priceless- something that you can't get in webinars. So jump on before we sell out, or you'll miss out; unfortunately, we are limited in numbers. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Soph