Amid a growing crisis, half a million Australians are struggling without essential drug and alcohol addiction support, raising alarms among top health experts over funding instability that threatens existing aid programs.
The Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA) expresses concern that the very foundation of these services is precarious, likening it to a “house of cards” that could tumble if federal financial backing falters.
According to ATCA chair Gerard Byrne, organizations offer a range of critical services including residential treatment, outreach efforts, and day programs, yet they are grappling with longer waiting lists and increased wait times.
Byrne cautions that delaying treatment can exacerbate individuals’ conditions.
“This can lead to individuals seeking help in emergency rooms, getting involved with law enforcement, appearing in courts, ending up in prison, or turning to homeless and domestic violence services,” he noted.
“But they’re not going there for the drug and alcohol problem. They’re going there because all of those other things were happening for them because they couldn’t get the drug and alcohol service.”
‘Significant uncertainty’
ATCA executive officer Michelle Ridley said half a million Australians needing drug and alcohol treatment were missing out, and the issue was most acute in regional and remote areas.
“There is significant uncertainty about future funding for the sector and without confirmation of ongoing funding, some services undoubtedly face very hard decisions about their future admissions,” she said.
“Our members are operating in an environment of significant pressure due to increasing demand for alcohol and other drug treatment services, workforce challenges, and uncertainty about future funding arrangements..”
Following a review of the federal Drug and Alcohol Program, the federal government extended existing grants until the end of June 2027.
Byrne said the sector needed the grant opportunities for the next round of three-year grant agreements to be released soon.
“The uncertainty is in what the future will be after the application process, because we’re funded up until June 2027, but our members don’t know what’s happening after that,” he said.
“DAP funding usually part funds programs along with the state and territory governments, so you get this house of cards situation where if you take one funding stream away or reduce it, the other funding streams are at risk because the financial sustainability is not there.”