DMWD - Don't Mess With Drugs

25/08/2026

This March, DMWD is putting drug prevention and community wellbeing front and centre.

Drug misuse can affect anyone—individuals, families and entire communities. Prevention begins with honest conversations, reliable education, early intervention and support without judgement.

Real strength is making informed choices. It is checking in on your mates, asking for help when you need it and refusing to let stigma keep people silent.

Let’s build a community where people feel empowered to choose a safer future.

Be good. Do good. Don’t Mess With Drugs.

Share this message and help start a conversation that could change—or save—a life.

06/08/2026

Nearly 57,000 drug-related hospitalisations – or 156 per day – were recorded in 2023-24, marking a 10.5% increase compared to the previous year, show the latest data from NDARC's Drug Trends Program.

This was more than double the 4.1% increase in all hospitalisations in the same period, indicating that drug-related hospitalisations grew faster than overall hospital admissions.

Read more from the 'Trends in Drug-Related Hospitalisations in Australia, 2004-2024' report here: https://www.unsw.edu.au/research/ndarc/resources/trends-drug-related-hospitalisations-australia-2004-2024.

06/08/2026

DMWD - Don't Mess With Drugs

29/07/2026

The proportion of people choosing not to drink alcohol has gradually increased over time. However, risky drinking behaviours remain common.

Explore what Australians told us about their alcohol and other drug use and attitudes in the last National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023

As comes to an end, we recognise everyone who has taken part in the campaign to raise awareness and funds for people affected by cancer.
aihw.gov.au

17/06/2026

16/06/2026

🧠 Men’s Mental Health Month 🧠

Mental health affects millions of men across Australia, yet too many continue to suffer in silence.

The statistics are confronting:
▪️ 1 in 5 men experience a mental health condition each year
▪️ 1 in 8 men will experience depression in their lifetime
▪️ 75% of suicides in Australia are men
▪️ Men wait an average of 10.6 years before seeking help

Behind every number is a father, son, brother, friend, colleague, teammate, or neighbour.

This Men’s Mental Health Month, let’s break the stigma, start conversations, check in on one another, and remind men that seeking help is a sign of strength—not weakness.

At DMWD – Don’t Mess With Drugs, we believe in supporting healthier, stronger communities by encouraging open conversations around mental health, wellbeing, resilience, and recovery.

You don’t have to face life’s challenges alone.

💙 Reach out.
💙 Listen without judgement.
💙 Support those around you.
💙 Be Good. Do Good.

04/06/2026

The Tree of Addictions

Addictions do not usually appear out of nowhere. In many cases, they are connected to deeper issues that began earlier in life and may later be triggered or intensified by events in adulthood.

These core issues can include physical or emotional abuse, fear, anger, shame, neglect, trauma, abandonment, or difficult social and environmental factors.

However, it is important to understand that not every addiction is caused by trauma. Addiction is complex, and many different factors can contribute to it.

For many people, addiction becomes a way of self-soothing, coping, or managing emotional pain, stress, discomfort, or unresolved experiences. It can feel like a short-term escape, but staying stopped can be difficult when the deeper issue has not been addressed.

Distractions and temporary breaks may help for a while, but long-term recovery often requires working on the root causes, not just the visible behaviour.

This infographic gives a simple overview of a very complex condition. Healing from addiction is absolutely possible through regular therapy, support, and established recovery groups such as AA, NA, SMART Recovery, and other free self-help programs.

04/06/2026

10/04/2026

The WHO’s updated guidelines on opioid dependence treatment and overdose prevention now include a conditional recommendation for long-acting formulations of buprenorphine as part of a major update.

The recommendations were informed by the NDARC systematic review team, which prepared evidence for discussions by the WHO Guidelines Development Group.

The full guidelines are expected to be published later this year or in early 2027. Read more here: https://www.who.int/news/item/02-04-2026-who-updates-guidelines-on-opioid-dependence-treatment-and-overdose-prevention

10/04/2026

No smoking means no va**ng.

Va**ng is banned in all areas where smoking is banned including:
- shopping centres
- public swimming pools
- public transport including buses and trains as well as train platforms and bus stops
- enclosed areas of restaurants, pubs and clubs
- commercial outdoor dining areas
and more.

A $300 on the spot fine can be issued for va**ng or smoking in a smoke-free area.
For more information on smoke-free laws, visit: www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/smoke-free-laws.aspx

For support to quit, visit iCanQuit.com.au, download the Pave app, or call the Quitline on 13 78 48 today.