Reform agenda for alcohol and other drug sector in Tasmania

Reform agenda for the alcohol and other drug sector

The Tasmanian alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector is undergoing significant reform to ensure Tasmanians affected by AOD use have access to appropriate, timely, effective, and quality services. This reform is guided by the Reform Agenda for the AOD Sector in Tasmania (AOD Reform Agenda).

The AOD Reform Agenda was released in November 2020. It is a 10-year plan which includes a number of reform directions and activities that are intended to guide:

• change required to build an integrated service system that provides better coordination, collaboration and communication between each component of the service system; and
• the future planning, funding and delivery of AOD services in Tasmania.

Actioning the reform agenda

All AOD Reform Agenda action is governed by the AOD Reform Program Control Group (PCG). The AOD Reform PCG consists of representatives from government and non-government AOD organisations, including a family and friend representative and a lived experience advocate. The purpose of the AOD Reform PCG is to provide a forum for members to represent the views of their respective cohorts and to provide expertise, recommendations, and quality assurance to guide the implementation of the AOD Reform Agenda. 

Guided by the AOD Reform PCG, the AOD Reform Agenda has been implemented over two phases (or stages).

Phase One: Priority Projects

The AOD Reform Agenda outlines eight reform directions, each with several key actions, and five priority projects. In 2022, the Government committed $7.4 million over two years to further these five priority projects. Each project is listed below.

1. Alcohol and Drug Service (ADS) Community Staffing Project
2. AOD Homeless Consultation and Liaison Project
3. Drug and Alcohol Emergency Department Brief Intervention Team (DABIT) Project
4. Detox@Home Project
5. Lived Experience Representation Project

Work on the priority projects identified in the AOD Reform Agenda has been completed. For more information, please see the project updates outlined below. 

Phase Two: Implementation Plan

From November 2022 to March 2023, the Tasmanian Government consulted with the AOD Sector on the development of an Implementation Plan to inform and guide the implementation of the remaining key actions within the AOD Reform Agenda. 

Information about this consultation process is available in the Alcohol and other Drugs Reform Sector Consultation | Tasmanian Department of Health.

Informed by consultation, the AOD Reform Agenda Implementation Plan was released in December 2023. This document is available below.

The Implementation Plan highlights a number of projects for immediate progression. They are being led by reform partners across the sector, including the Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Directorate (MHADD) (within the Department of Health), the ADS and AOD Reform Program Team (within Statewide Mental Health Services), Primary Health Tasmania (PHT) and the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Council, Tasmania (ATDC).

Based on sector feedback, the following projects are currently being prioritised by the AOD Reform Program Team:

• Development of an AOD Service Delivery Framework (and work related to key actions 2.1, 3.1 and 3.2).
• Development of an AOD Youth Service and Practice Framework (related to key action 4.1).
• Development of an AOD Workforce Development Strategy (and work related to key actions 8.1 and 8.2).

Working is also continuing to provide new opportunities for sector wide networking, communication, and collaboration.

Project updates

AOD Service Delivery Framework for Tasmania

Scope: Develop an overarching Service Delivery Framework that describes AOD treatment, service types, features and principles in Tasmania. The final content of this Framework will be determined through consultation.

View the Project Factsheet for Tasmanian Alcohol and Other Drugs Youth Service & Practice Framework under reform documents below. 

Update: A series of expert focus groups are scheduled for June and August 2024 to inform draft framework development.

Tasmanian AOD Youth Service and Practice Framework

Scope: Develop a Tasmanian Youth Service and Practice Framework for the AOD Sector that describes best practice youth AOD service delivery, where and what youth AOD treatment services are available in Tasmania and includes detail on child safety and wellbeing factors. The final content of this Framework will be determined through consultation.

View the Project Factsheet for Alcohol and Other Drugs Service Delivery Framework under reform documents below.

Update: A series of expert focus groups are scheduled for June and August 2024 to inform draft framework development.

Tasmanian AOD Workforce Development Strategy

Scope: Develop a Tasmanian AOD Workforce Development Strategy to address recruitment and retention issues, plan for future workforce growth and draw upon existing sector strengths. The final content of this Framework will be determined through consultation.

The first stage of this project is being led by ATDC (expert focus groups and drafting). The second stage of this project (final statewide consultation) will be led by the Department of Health, Tasmania.

Update: A series of expert focus groups are scheduled for July and August 2024 to inform draft strategy development. 

Sector Communication and Collaboration 

The AOD Reform Team have collaborated with MHADD and PHT to provide a six-month update on recent AOD projects and upcoming opportunities for engagement. View the Alcohol and Other Drug Sector Communique.

The AOD Reform Team and the ATDC have collaborated to host regional networking events for AOD and mental health sector participants with the aim of promoting collaboration and integration between sectors. Events are scheduled for June 2024.

Detox@Home

Scope: Develop and trial a government led, medically assisted, alcohol withdrawal program for people within their own home.

Update: The Detox@Home Service was launched in Launceston and Hobart in August 2023 and is operated by ADS.

View more information about Detox@Home.

DABIT

Scope: Develop and trial a southern, government led, specialised AOD brief intervention team within the Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency Department.

Update:  The DABIT was launched in January 2024, expanding the existing Royal Hobart Hospital ADS Consultation and Liaison Team, and is operated by ADS.

AOD Homeless Consultation and Liaison (HCL)

Scope: Develop and trial a statewide, government led, outreach service to support clients who experience AOD use that significantly impacts upon their ability to retain or transition into stable housing.

Update: Staff have been recruited to all HCL positions within the ADS and the HCL service has been established. Positions are located within ADS Community Teams across the North, Northwest and South of the State. 

ADS Community Staffing

Scope: Increase the number of highly skilled and qualified health professionals delivering government led AOD services.

Update: The majority of ADS community specialist positions have now been established and recruited to.  

Lived Experience Representation

Scope:  ATDC has been funded to employ a project officer to support AOD consumer representation across Tasmania by developing a consumer representative network and conducting scoping work to inform the establishment of an AOD consumer organisation. 

Update: ATDC has established a Lived Experience Advocate Service and provided a business case to the Tasmanian Government to support the development of an AOD lived experience organisation. For more information, please visit Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council Tasmania (ATDC)

Release of the Investment in the AOD Sector in Tasmania Report

Under key action 2.3 of the AOD Reform Agenda, the Department of Health, Tasmania and PHT commissioned consultants 360 Edge to update AOD sector service mapping and funding in Tasmania to see how this has changed since the release of the Siggins Miller Report in 2017. The final 360 Edge Report was released in December 2023. 

View the Siggins Miller Report (2017) and the 360 Edge Report (2023) below.

Reform documents

View the Siggins Miller Report -  A single Tasmanian alcohol and other drugs service system framework final report

View the Reform Agenda for the Alcohol and Drug Sector in Tasmania

View the AOD Reform Agenda Implementation Plan

View the 360Edge - Investment in the alcohol and other drugs sector in Tasmania - Final Report

View the 360Edge - Summary of the Investment in the alcohol and other drugs sector in Tasmania

Project Factsheet for Tasmanian Alcohol and Other Drugs Youth Service & Practice Framework

Project Factsheet for Alcohol and Other Drugs Service Delivery Framework

Where to get more information

For more information on AOD Reform Agenda implementation please contact the AOD Reform Team at [email protected]

Support Services

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis or needs to talk about their alcohol and other drugs use, there are a range of support and information services available.