'House of cards': Addiction help in Australia faces uncertain future amid funding fears

Funding uncertainty is jeopardizing addiction help services across Australia, with a peak health provider warning that the current system is a "house of cards." Half a million Australians are currently unable to access desperately needed drug and alcohol treatment. The Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA) reports that its member organizations, which offer residential therapy, outreach, and day programs, are experiencing longer waiting lists and times. ATCA chair Gerard Byrne stated that individuals denied services often end up in hospitals, police stations, courts, or homeless services, not for their addiction but as a consequence of untreated issues. "They turn up in hospitals, in police stations, in courts, in prison, in homeless services, in domestic and family violence services," he said. "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."

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They turn up in hospitals, in police stations, in courts, in prison, in homeless services, in domestic and family violence services. 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.

Michelle Ridley, ATCA executive officer, highlighted that the problem is 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."

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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. 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.

The federal government has extended existing grants until June 2027, following a review of the Drug and Alcohol Program. However, Byrne explained that the sector needs 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. He further elaborated on the precariousness of the funding, noting that federal grants often partially fund programs alongside state and territory contributions. "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."

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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.