Alcohol, other drugs and gambling

In September 2024, The Salvation Army provided a submission to the House Standing Committee (the Committee) on Health, Aged Care and Sport’s Inquiry into the Health Impacts of Alcohol and Other Drugs in Australia. 

The Salvation Army has a long and recognised history as a leading providing of alcohol and other drug services across Australia. Our frontline services, spanning housing and homelessness, family and domestic violence and youth programs, also play a key role in addressing alcohol and other drug-related harms.

The Salvation Army’s submission responded to all the terms of reference of the Committee. We made 25 recommendations, which broadly included:

• A co-ordinated whole-of-government and whole-of-community response to alcohol and other drug-related harms, with leadership and co-ordination at a national level from the Commonwealth Government.
• Review, re-design and increased investment in the alcohol and other drug service sector to improve its capacity to deliver good quality outcomes, value for money and equity for all individuals. This must include a focus on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities and people living in rural and remote areas.
• Investment in an integrated service sector to address and support the complex and intersectional needs of those who experience alcohol and other drug-related harms.
• Specific changes to the criminal justice system, housing sector and social security policy to improve their ability to prevent and reduce alcohol and other drug-related harms.

• Learn more about the Inquiry
• Read The Salvation Army Submission