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​â¶Ä‹Structure

The Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs is responsible for developing, managing and coordinating ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Ministry of Health policy, strategy and program funding relating to the prevention, minimisation and treatment of alcohol and drug related harm. The branch also supports the maintenance of relevant legislative frameworks, including drug and alcohol treatment legislation.

The work of Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs is delivered through the drug and alcohol program, in partnership with local health districts, Justice Forensic and Mental Health, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health pillars and affiliated health organisations, non-government organisations, research institutions and other partner organisations​.

The Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs is configured into three program areas:

• Clinical Services and Programs
• Systems and Strategy
• Strategic Programs

The Clinical Services and Programs consists of five teams and is supported by a Clinical Advisor:

• Clinical Governance and Systems
• Clinical Services
• Diversion and Treatment Access Programs
• Harm Minimisation
• Prevention and Education

Systems and Strategy consists of six teams:

• Strategy, Policy and Engagement
• Information and Education
• Strategic Research and Evaluation
• Data Systems and Analytics
• Toxicity, Response, Epidemiology and Surveillance
• Programs and Services Operations

Strategic Programs consists of three teams:

• Strategic Projects
• Value Based Health Care
• System Performance and Management

Chief Addiction Medicine Specialist

The role of the Chief Addiction Medicine Specialist at the Ministry of Health is to provide

• Advice on alcohol and other drugs clinical matters to the Chief Health Officer, the Executive Director, Directiors and staff.
• Information on new developments in alcohol and other drug clinical treatment and care.
• Leadership on the development and monitoring of clinical governance frameworks for alcohol and other drug services.
• Support to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø clinical staff at times where local clinical leadership is not available.

 Medical Advisors

At a high-level, the medical advisor of the CAOD ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health performs the following functions:

• High-level medical expertise and leadership to ensure a data-driven and evidence-based approach to public and population health policy and programs.
• Medical advice and technical expertise to support the Chief Health Officer in managing critical incidents and other issues of public health concern
• Medical advice and support to the Executive Director, Directors, Chief Addiction Medicine Specialist and CAOD Clinical Advisor focusing on the priority portfolio areas, including alcohol and other drug service delivery, policy and program responses.

Funding

The 2024-25 budget for alcohol and other drugs is $585.6 million support  for drug and alcohol services in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, which includes $156.3 million for the implementation of programs in response to the 'Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug Ice'. 
The funding is allocated to local health districts and non-government organisations to provide core drug and alcohol services, including:

• Inpatient withdrawal management, hospital based drug and alcohol consultation liaison services, specialist drug and alcohol treatment services.
• Advice, referral and counselling services, brief and early intervention programs.
• Community based education and information programs.
• Residential rehabilitation and aftercare services.
• NGO partnerships.

Programs

Drug and alcohol programs​â¶Ä‹â€‹â¶Ä‹â€‹â¶Ä‹â€‹