Inside the BDR: Pathways, Policy & Practice in Alcohol Harm Reduction

Build capacity and capabilities of AADANT membership services to deliver best practice evidence-based alcohol and other drugs services.

The Northern Territory Government (NTG) leads the strategic policy and planning agenda for alcohol and other drugs (AOD) in the Northern Territory (NT) in partnership with health services, non-government organisations and consumers. This grant program aims to minimise harm associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, including volatile substances, through a range of prevention, education and community action initiatives. The opportunity to apply for a one-off grant is now available to community groups and non-government organisations. Funding is available up to $20,000 for individual projects/initiatives across the NT. Key focus areas for 2025/26 applications: Provision of projects that aim to reduce harms associated with AOD among young people. Priority projects will demonstrate the following: Promoting healthy choices; Improving mental health, social and emotional wellbeing; Reducing harms associated with AOD; and Encouraging healing and connection to culture and community to increase strength and resilience. Applications close on 3 October 2025. For more information, visit the GrantsNT website .

11-14 November 2025

MusicNT’s All Good Project continues to lead important work in making live music venues and festivals across the Northern Territory safer, more inclusive and more supportive environments for everyone. Launched in 2023, the All Good peer harm reduction service is part of a broader initiative designed to increase safety for minority groups, promote equity and diversity, and help end discrimination and gender-based violence in music settings. The project is built around a multi-pronged approach including policy, education and training, marketing and a peer harm reduction service. Evaluation by Menzies School of Health Research To assess the impact of the All Good Project, Menzies School of Health Research was commissioned to conduct an evaluation using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The newly released report provides insight into two core components of this evaluation: Peer Harm Reduction Service Delivery – Bass in the Grass 2025 The report quantifies the reach and activity of the peer harm reduction service during NT’s biggest single-day music festival, Bass in the Grass festival, offering key data on support provided to patrons. Festival Patron Surveying – 2023 to 2025 Through pre- and post-festival surveys, Menzies engaged with festival patrons to understand experiences and attitudes relating to sexual violence, alcohol and drug behaviours and prosocial bystanding behaviours, which has been tracked over three years (2023 – 2025). Click here to download the full report.

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF), in collaboration with SHARC and Harm Reduction Victoria, has launched a powerful new resource focused on Lived and Living Experience (LLE) in the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) sector. As momentum grows across Australia for meaningful and ongoing LLE involvement, this resource highlights the vital role that people with lived or living experience play across all areas of health and social support, including strategy and policy development, research, education and training, leadership, program design and service delivery. This new resource offers practical insights and guidance on: What LLE is and why it matters The variety of roles people with LLE hold across Australia How their unique expertise can drive better outcomes for individuals and communities Key considerations for engaging LLE meaningfully and ethically in your work Whether you're a service provider, policymaker, educator or working in program design, this resource is a must-read to ensure your approach is informed, inclusive and reflective of real-world experience. View the resources here .

NCCRED recently hosted a webinar titled “ Digital interventions for methamphetamine use and First Nations people ”. The session began with an overview of a four-phase project with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. During the data collection phase, qualitative and quantitative data were gathered from 736 participants aged 16 and above (median age 34), 60% of whom identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. These insights informed the development of community-led prevention strategies and a web-based app, “Wada Wanti: Leave the Ice Alone”. The app content is based on evidence-based approaches including cognitive-behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, emotional regulation techniques and relaxation strategies. The digital interventions can be used independently or integrated by workers in a range of service settings, including primary care and AOD treatment sessions.  The webinar concluded with a panel discussion and Q&A session. The recorded webinar is available here .

Barod, an AOD service based in Wales (United Kingdom), recently published a guide titled “Why language matters” which was developed alongside people with lived and living experience of substance use. The authors note that when it comes to substance use, language can either reinforce stigma or foster understanding. They explain that dehumanising and derogatory words like “addict”, “clean”, or “chaotic” can carry judgment, shame, and blame — and can stop people from seeking the support they need. The authors suggest when we choose our words with care, we help create a culture of dignity, inclusion, and hope. This guide provides a list of language to avoid, why, and acceptable alternatives to use. Although this guide was developed in Wales, we think much of the content applies to the Australian context. Visit the Barod website and download the guide here .

This study titled “Parent substance use and child-to-parent violence: A brief report” investigated the association between parental substance use and substance involved child to parent violence (SU-CPV) i.e. the young person is influenced by a substance. They found parental alcohol use was associated with an increased likelihood of SU-CPV. They suggest parental behaviours may influence the young person's behaviour, and this may be exacerbated by the disinhibiting impact of alcohol and unpredictability within the home environment. They also discuss that parental alcohol use could be a coping strategy for parents experiencing SU-CPV. Access the report here - Parent substance use and child-to-parent violence: A brief report

Tobacco use in Australia – including among young people - is at its lowest level in decades, largely due to effective public health strategies. However, a recent article in The Guardian suggests that the twice-yearly increases in tobacco excise may have reached the limit of their effectiveness. Rather than further reducing smoking rates, these ongoing tax increases may be contributing to the growth of the illicit tobacco market. The article examines the impactof continued excise increases and highlights the growing challenge posed by illicit tobacco sales in Australia, raising important questions about the future direct of tobacco control efforts. To read the full article, go to “Tobacco excise ha s passed a ‘tipping point’ and is fuelling black market, economists warn”