Useful links

It is important that clients and their families and carers have access to appropriate information about drug and alcohol, and also support to navigate their way through the health system.

NSW Health also provides a wide range of Information for family and carers.

Drug and alcohol

Australian

ADF: The Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) aims to work together to prevent alcohol and other drug problems in communities. The ADF holds the contract with the NSW Ministry of Health to manage the Community Engagement and Action Program, which supports a network of Community Drug Action Teams across NSW.
Al-Anon/Alateen: Al-Anon/Alateen helps families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with someone whose drinking is a problem. Similarly, Alateen is a recovery program for young people. Alateen groups are sponsored by Al-Anon members. Alateen provides support for teenagers affected by the problem drinking of a parent or other family member.
Alcoholics Anonymous: Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drugs: The Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drugs (ANACAD) was established in 2014 as the principal expert advisory body to the Australian Government on issues relating to alcohol and other drugs. ANACAD reports directly to Minister responsible for alcohol and other drugs in the Health portfolio.
Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs: The Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drugs (ANACAD) was established in 2014 as the principal expert advisory body to the Australian Government on issues relating to alcohol and other drugs. ANACAD reports directly to Minister responsible for alcohol and other drugs in the Health portfolio.
Chapter of Addiction Medicine (RACP): The Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine (AChAM) is established within the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). The Chapter educates and supports medical practitioners who work with people who have problems arising from the use of drugs.; Drug and Alcohol Clinical Research and Improvement Network (DACRIN); The New South Wales (NSW) Drug and Alcohol Clinical Research and Improvement Network (DACRIN) is a collaborative network of Local Health District, Health Network and non-government organisation alcohol and other drug (AOD) services committed to working together to enhance clinical research throughout NSW AOD services.
Foundation for Alcohol Research & Education (FARE): The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), formerly the Alcohol Education & Rehabilitation Foundation (AERF), is an independent, not-for-profit, national health organisation based in Canberra, Australia. The Foundation was set up to distribute funding for programs and research that aimed to prevent the harms caused by alcohol and licit substance misuse.
National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA): The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) is a collaborative venture between Flinders University and the South Australian Department of Health. NCETA. It is an internationally recognised research Centre that works as a catalyst for change in the alcohol and drugs field.
National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC): The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) is a premier research institution in Australia and is recognised internationally as a Research Centre of Excellence. The Centre is multidisciplinary and collaborates with medicine, psychology, social science and other schools of the University of NSW, as well as with a range of other institutions and individuals in Australia and overseas.
National Drug Research Institute (NDRI): The National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) conducts and disseminates high quality research that contributes to the primary prevention of harmful drug use and the reduction of drug related harm in Australia. NDRI is located at Curtin University's Health Research Campus and receives core funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
National Drug Strategy (Australia): The National Drug Strategy 2017-2026 is a cooperative venture between Australian, state and territory governments and the non-government sector, is aimed at improving health, social and economic outcomes for Australians by preventing the uptake of harmful drug use and reducing the harmful effects of licit and illicit drugs in our society.
National Alcohol Strategy (Australia): The National Alcohol Strategy 2019-2028 sets key directions to reduce harmful alcohol consumption by 10 per cent by 2029. The Strategy outlines policy options under four domain areas and across priority population groups.
National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Strategic Action Plan (Australia).: The National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Strategic Action Plan 2018-2028 provides a clear pathway of priorities and opportunities to improve the prevention, diagnosis, support and management of FASD in Australia.
National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: The National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Inc. (NOFASD) was established in 1999. It is Australia's peak body representing parents, carers and others interested in or affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies (NADA): The Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies (NADA) is the peak organisation for the non-government drug and alcohol sector in NSW.
Liquor and Gaming NSW: Liquor and Gaming NSW is accountable for the development, implementation and integrity of the overall regulatory framework across alcohol, licensed clubs, charitable fundraising and gambling activities in NSW.
Reach Out: Reach Out is a web-based service that aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 14-25 years by providing them with information, support and skills development and by working with health professionals to strengthen the pathways between online and community based service delivery.
Turning Point Alcohol & Drug Centre: Turning Point is a national addiction treatment centre, dedicated to providing high quality, evidence-based treatment to people adversely affected by alcohol, drugs and gambling, integrated with world-leading research and education.
Your Room: Your Room is a partnership between NSW Health and St Vincent's Alcohol and Drug Information Service and offers information about alcohol and a wide range of drugs, how they can affect people, side effects, withdrawal, and how to get help for yourself or for anyone else who needs it.

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International

Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction: The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction provides national leadership and evidence-informed analysis and advice to reduce alcohol and other drug-related harm in Canada. The website provides useful information on substance abuse issues.
Drug Policy Alliance: The Drug Policy Alliance is one of the United States of America’s leading organisations promoting drug policies that are grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights. This policy and research institute is an essential resource concerning drug policy and harm reduction. Includes full-text literature on topics such as substitution and maintenance approaches.
DrugWise: DrugWise is an independent centre of expertise on drugs in the United Kingdom. Their aim is to inform policy development and reduce drug-related risk. They provide quality drug information, promote effective responses to drug taking, undertake research at local, national and international levels, advice on policy-making, encourage informed debate and speak for member organisations working on the ground.
Health Promotion Agency: The Health Promotion Agency (HPA) is an entity established in 2012 through an amalgamation of the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC) and the Health Sponsorship Council. . The HPA provides information, advice, research and resources to help prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm and inspire New Zealanders to make better decisions about alcohol.
Institute of Alcohol Studies: The core aim of the United Kingdom Institute of Alcohol Studies is to serve public interest on public policy issues linked to alcohol, by advocating for the use of scientific evidence in policy-making to reduce alcohol-related harm.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the lead government agency in America for research on alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and other health effects of alcohol.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is the American Federal focal point for research on drug abuse and addiction. NIDA addresses the most fundamental and essential questions about drug abuse - from detecting and responding to emerging drug abuse trends and understanding how drugs work in the brain and body to developing and testing new treatment and prevention approaches.
National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse: Public Health England (PHE) has taken over the functions of The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse. PHE’s role is to improve the commissioning, availability, accessibility and effectiveness of treatment for drug dependency in England and to maximise the benefits of that treatment for individuals, their families and communities.
Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP): The principal purpose of the United States of America Government’s Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is to establish policies, priorities, and objectives for the America's drug control program. The goals of the program are to reduce illicit drug use, manufacturing, trafficking, drug-related crime and violence, and drug-related health consequences.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on communities in the United States of America.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC): United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. Established in 1997 through a merger between the United Nations Drug Control Programme and the Centre for International Crime Prevention, UNODC operates in all regions of the world through an extensive network of field offices.

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General

Australian College of Nursing: The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is a key national professional nursing organisation with a focus on nursing leadership and is open to nurses in all settings and at every stage of their career. ACN is an authorised higher education provider and registered training organisation and the Australian member of the International Council of Nurses.
Australian Institute of Family Studies: The Australian Institute of Family Studies is a Melbourne-based Australian Government statutory agency established in 1980 under the Family Law Act 1975. The Institute provides quality research into the wellbeing of Australian families. The Institute produces ‘Family Matters’, and a range of fact sheets and research reports available through their website.
Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC): The Australian Institute of Criminology is Australia's national research and knowledge centre on crime and justice. Australian Institute of Criminology seeks to promote justice and reduce crime by undertaking and communicating evidence-based research to inform policy and practice.
Community Development: Community Development (formerly Community Builders) NSW website is an interactive electronic clearing house for everyone involved in community level social, economic and environmental renewal including community leaders, community and government workers, volunteers, program managers, academics, policy makers, youth and seniors.
Multicultural NSW: Multicultural NSW’s purpose is to build and maintain a cohesive and harmonious multicultural society that enriches the lives of all the people of NSW. It builds strong relationships with ethnic community groups and develops and fosters extensive networks throughout various communities through its programs and services.
The Department of Communities and Justice: The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) under the Communities and Justice Cluster, promotes the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and works to build stronger families and communities. DCJ provides child protection services, parenting support and early intervention, foster care, adoption services and help for communities affected by disaster. The DCJ website has relevant resource material available through the news and publications link and the parents, carers and families links.
Families NSW: Families NSW is the NSW Government’s whole-of-government prevention and early intervention strategy that aims to provide children with the best start in life. The program is delivered by the NSW Ministry of Health, Department of Education, and the Department of Communities and Justice. The Families NSW strategy is targeted at children aged 0–8 years and their parents.
healthdirect: healthdirect is an Australian Government initiative that aims to improve the health of Australians by providing easy access to quality information and advice as well as the healthdirect nurse triage service and after hours GP helpline.
Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network: The NSW Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network provides health care in a complex environment to people in the adult correctional system, to those in courts and police cells, to juvenile detainees and to those within the NSW forensic mental health system and in the community.
Mission Australia: Mission Australia is a community service organisation committed to eliminating disadvantage and creating a fairer Australia. The organisation helps those in need to find pathways to a better life. Mission Australia assists clients with employment, training, housing, family, youth and community services issues.
Multicultural Communication Service: The NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service (Multicultural Communication) provides information and services to assist health professionals to communicate with non-English speaking communities throughout New South Wales. The NSW Department of Health funds the Service, and endorses the multilingual health information published on the website.
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics: The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) is a statistical and research agency within the NSW Department Justice. BOSCAR assists assist policy makers and administrators in the criminal justice system to develop and implement strategies which reduce crime, and provide a more efficient, effective and equitable justice system.
NSW Commission for Children and Young People: The Advocate for Children and Young People is an independent statutory office reporting to the NSW Parliament through the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Children and Young People. The office is established under the Advocate for Children and Young People Act 2014
NSW Department of Justice: The Department of Justice delivers legal, court and supervision services to the people of NSW by managing courts and justice services, implementing programs to reduce crime and re‑offending, managing custodial and community-based correctional services, protecting rights and community standards and advising on law reform and legal matters.

The Department delivers a diverse range of essential services and supports to the community of NSW at the point in their lives where they come into contact with either the criminal or civil justice system.
Raising Children Network: The Raising Children website provides information that can help parents with the day-to-day decisions of raising children. The website was developed with the help of an extensive network including the Australian Government.
RANZCP: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) is the principal organisation representing the medical specialty of psychiatry in Australia and New Zealand. The College is responsible for training, examining and awarding the Fellowship of the College qualification to medical practitioners.
Refugee Health Service: The NSW Refugee Health Service, Sydney South West Local health District was set up by the NSW Department of Health in 1999 to help meet the challenges of refugees who had experienced trauma, torture, deprivation, violence and civil unrest. The service aims to promote the health of people from a refugee background living in NSW by assisting refugees and the health professionals who work with them.
Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is a church based organisation providing a wide range of services and programs to address areas of need in the community.
St Vincent de Paul: St Vincent de Paul is a non for profit church based organisation dedicated to relieving the sufferings of the poor. A range of services and programs are provided to the general community.
Youth NSW: Youth NSW, which is part of the Department of Communities and Justice, provides a web portal covering a broad range of youth issues such as money, law, environment, and housing.