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Huge funding boost for First Nations alcohol and drug treatment centres

06 March 2024
Safety and Wellbeing
The Glen Centre in NSW is one of dozens of alcohol and other drug treatment organisations that will benefit from the funding boost.

The Australian Government has announced a $66 million funding boost to more than 65 Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) treatment organisations across the country which support First Nations Australians.

The Australian Government has announced a $66 million funding boost to more than 65 Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) treatment organisations across the country which support First Nations Australians.

The investment, as part of the Strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Alcohol and Other Drugs Treatment Services Initiative, is the first time in a decade that the majority of services have received a funding increase.

Alex Lee, CEO of the Glen Centre in NSW, said the funding would help them to ‘continue to deliver culturally-safe residential care to support First Nations peoples heal from harmful substance use and empower them to lead safe and healthy lives.’

‘The Commonwealth’s grant will be invested in strengthening our ability to evaluate the program’s success to see where we can improve,’ Mr Lee said.

‘This will benefit not only our future clients, but other alcohol and other drug treatment services, as we will be sharing that information with the sector, giving First Nations peoples – and other Australians – the best chance of recovery.’

The funding boost follows extensive national consultations with First Nations AOD treatment stakeholders and will help a range of initiatives including boosting service delivery and data and reporting capabilities and training and development for staff.

James Gibson, CEO of Ngnowar-Aerwah Aboriginal Corporation in East Kimberley, said that their remote location had limited them due to slow, unreliable internet.

‘This funding will be used to secure high speed internet giving our staff access to cutting edge, modern training resources that deliver better outcomes for the people and communities they serve,’ said Mr Gibson.

‘This will give our staff the tools, resources and support they need to deliver lasting change for those seeking a healthier life.’

The 2021-22 Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services in Australia annual report showed that Indigenous Australians accounted for 18% of people who were receiving treatment or support for either their own or someone else’s AOD use.

The Government will continue working in partnership with organisations and the AOD sector, with the funding boost backing more community-led solutions to deliver better outcomes for First Nations people.