Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Managing Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Treatment Services


Harmful drug and alcohol use is a major social issue with an estimated annual cost to the community of $14 billion. More than 77 000 Victorians are hospitalised for alcohol and drug related conditions each year. Around 27 000 enter government-funded specialist alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment programs. 

The current community-based alcohol and drug program guided by harm minimisation principles has operated since 1997. This program funds activities designed to prevent and treat harmful drug and alcohol use. The state allocated $135.7 million for AOD prevention and treatment activities in 2010–11. Of this, $110 million, or 81 per cent is allocated to treatment and 19 per cent to prevention activities.

Typically, prevention initiatives are one-off projects, such as media campaigns, with few prevention services funded on an ongoing basis. In contrast there are 105 services providing treatment services to those who use AODs harmfully.

This audit examines the effectiveness of drug and alcohol prevention and treatment services overseen by the Department of Health (the department), with a particular focus on quality and accessibility of services, and the extent to which interventions work.

Dealing with harmful alcohol and drug use is particularly difficult due to the complexity of addiction, which is a chronic condition where individuals are prone to relapse. A simple ‘cure’ cannot be prescribed. Because of this, prevention and treatment programs need to be reviewed regularly and refined to adapt to changing community needs and to maximise their chances of success.

At its inception the new community-based alcohol and drugs program was innovative in both its service and funding model. However, 13 years later, the problems with treatment services that it was designed to overcome have not been resolved. 

The department has no assurance that the service system objectives of effective case management and continuity of care for clients and consistent, high quality services, are being achieved. Treatment services remain difficult for clients to access and navigate, and do not provide seamless pathways to other health and social support services. 



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