It is our great pleasure to invite you to APSAD Canberra 2024. 

We are proud to be hosting you in Australia’s most progressive jurisdiction, and look forward to providing an exciting, dynamic and informative program with the theme of Inclusion…Innovation…Progress. 

The theme reflects the move towards greater Inclusion of multiple and varied voices in alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues, including greater participation by people with lived and/or living experience of alcohol and other drugs in the processes of program development and delivery; research and evaluation; and policy reform. Similarly, it reflects the broad range of professional and practical expertise in our sector across a variety of settings.  

APSAD 2024 will celebrate Innovation in the ATOD field. It is fitting that the conference is being held in Canberra where a range of drug reforms have occurred, including: take home naloxone trial; festival pill testing and fixed site drug checking; and decriminalisation of personal possession of small quantities of commonly used illicit drugs. Such innovation is, however, not particular to Canberra, and we invite you—from across the Oceania region and beyond—to showcase your unique and varied contributions in ATOD practice, research and policy. 

Finally, while we may not always feel it, we are, as a sector, making Progress in reducing harms for people who use alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, their families and friends, and the broader community. In 2024, we’ll come together at this meeting place—Canberra—to reflect on how harm reduction is being applied in contemporary ATOD practice, research and policy.  

As a further demonstration of innovation, APSAD 2024 will be held from Wednesday to Friday (30 October – 1 November), with Post-Conference workshops on the Saturday following (2 November). We invite you to stay in Canberra for the weekend to attend the Workshops, and  to sample what this city has to offer—why not: explore the lake by boat; visit an exhibition at the National Museum; do the freefall at Questacon; walk the Birrigai Time Trail at Tidbinbilla; view the city from Mt Ainslie; attend the weekend Markets; and enjoy the wide selection of restaurants, cafes, bars and wineries in the city and region. 

We look forward to seeing you all in Canberra to share, network and learn at APSAD 2024. 

Register here.