Australian Drug Foundation

The Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation based in Melbourne, Australia. The ADF's work is inclusive of both legal and illegal drugs on a national level and focuses on primary and secondary prevention. The Foundation has a vision to "create Australian culture that supports people so they can live healthy, safe and satisfying lives, unaffected by drug problems". [ [http://www.adf.org.au/browse.asp?ContainerID=about Australian Drug Foundation ] ]

The ADF is made up of a number of directorates that each aim to prevent drug problems, as opposed to treating existing problem users. There is an information dissemination arm, the DrugInfo Clearinghouse [ [http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/ DrugInfo Clearinghouse (ADF) - DrugInfo Website (Home Page) ] ] ; a research arm, the Centre for Youth Drug Studies [ [http://www.cyds.adf.org.au/ The Centre for Youth Drug Studies: CYDS ] ] ; a community support program, the Good Sports Program [ [http://www.goodsports.com.au/ Good Sports - Home Page - Managing alcohol in sport ] ] ; and an alcohol advocacy group, the Community Alcohol Action Network [ [http://www.caan.adf.org.au/ Community Alcohol Action Network: CAAN ] ]

History

The ADF was established in 1959 as the Alcoholism Foundation of Victoria. It was a response to the lack of services for alcohol dependent people at the time, and provided counselling and information. In those days, the Foundation called for a "coordinated attack by the community, involving education, treatment and research". [ [http://www.adf.org.au/browse.asp?ContainerID=history Australian Drug Foundation ] ]

Over the ensuing decades, the nature of drug use changed in Australia. The Victorian Foundation for Alcohol and Drug Dependence eventually led to the current name. Over time, treatment services became more widely available. The ADF moved away from this aspect of service delivery and began to develop primary and secondary prevention resources — a focus that remains to the present day.

ADF's Principles

The ADF’s prevention agenda is delivered on a platform of harm minimisation — encompassing a continuum of comprehensive prevention strategies, from abstinence to the management of severe and chronic drug misuse. There are a number of principles that underpin the ADF's strategy.

Drug users are people first. The ADF believes that drug policies and measures taken to control or reduce drug problems must be evidence-based, humane and respect human rights. People who use drugs, and those who experience drug-related problems, should be treated with the same respect and be afforded the same rights as all other Australians.

We live in a drug-using society. The use of drugs for therapeutic or medical use, and for “recreational” use, is present in virtually all human societies. Drug problems or drug-related harms can arise from all types of use, as well as from legal and illegal drugs.

Drug use is undesirable when it reduces or threatens health and well-being. Drug use can harm an individual through injury or disease, as well as loss of income, employment, relationships and quality of life. It can harm society economically, socially and through its impact on health costs, law enforcement costs, corruption and family life..

Comorbidity must be considered when developing responses to drug misuse strategies. Many people who use drugs problematically also suffer social disadvantage and other health problems. In particular, mental illness is a growing issue for the Australian population. Significant numbers of people, and growing numbers of young people, are being affected by depression and anxiety. In addition, there is evidence of a relationship between mental health and substance use.

The Foundation's core purpose is to delay the onset of use and prevent risks and harms when it does occur. The ADF’s use of the term ‘prevention’ can be described as a continuum, with the ADF’s strategies, interventions, programs and projects located along this continuum. Our prevention responses will help people to remain safe if, when and while they use drugs. In some circumstance, the ADF may advocate the non-use of a particular drug, or a reduction in the prevalence or incidence of drug use. However, some people will choose to continue to use drugs, and the ADF may advocate a reduction in the harmful effects of a particular form of drug use, while not necessarily seeking a reduction of drug use in the first instance.

All strategies and programs, including the ADF’s, are evidence-based. The ADF is committed to developing, disseminating and utilising best practice approaches and strategies.

The ADF maintains its independence at all times, and refrains from seeking or accepting funds or other support if that independence is likely to be compromised.

ADF's Priorities

Using current intelligence on drug-using trends and practices and the levels of harm facing the community, the ADF has identified the following drug-specific priorities on which to focus proactively during 2007–09 [ [http://www.adf.org.au/browse.asp?ContainerID=priorities Australian Drug Foundation ] ] .

Alcohol
Alcohol continues to cause the most harm to society, after tobacco. Problematic, excessive drinking by young people and increased drinking by young women is causing concern. The National Alcohol Strategy focuses on the reduction of intoxication and changing the central role of a culture that reinforces excess and misuse. The ADF has a strong track record in prevention programs targeting alcohol use and problems.

CannabisThere is growing concern that cannabis-related problems have been underestimated. Cannabis is the most used illicit drug and has links to mental health issues. Experimentation and use is common among school-aged students. The National Cannabis Strategy is concerned to increase community understanding of cannabis harms, and to prevent uptake or minimise use.

Amphetamines, ecstasy and other drugsThere has been a significant increase in use of these synthetic substances in the past decade. Many new amphetamine-type drugs like ‘ice’ are appearing and there is a need to increase community awareness and understanding. Prevention programs that address the context of use are important, as some evidence is suggesting that the use of these drugs is becoming ‘normalised’.

Media Attention

The Australian Drug Foundation is considered to be a national leader in the alcohol and other drug field, and as such is often called upon by media outlets to comment on issues. Some recent television and newspaper stories are listed below.

"Teen Alcohol" on "Catalyst", ABCTV, 09/08/2007: [http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s2000936.htm] "Drug foundation blasts parents who turn on the booze at teenage parties" in "The Age", 27/03/2007: [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/drug-foundation-blasts-parents-who-turn-on-the-booze-at-teenageparties/2007/03/26/1174761377639.html] "Insider tells of young drinkers being targeted" in "The Age" 06/08/07: [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/get-young-drunk-faster/2007/08/05/1186252546269.html]

References