News

NADA is the peak organisation for non-government alcohol and other drugs (AOD) services in NSW. We lead, strengthen and advocate for the sector to improve the health and wellbeing of NSW communities. Our decisions and actions are informed by the knowledge and concerns of our members and the experiences of people who use or have used AOD.

We recognise, respect and value the deep and continuing connection of First Nation’s people to land, water, community, and culture. We look to and celebrate their cultural guidance, leadership, and expertise.

NADA supports The Uluru Statement from the Heart and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. We believe that policies and programs that affect First Nations people should be designed, developed and implemented together with First Nations people. NADA supports self-determination and its importance in AOD policy and practice.

We acknowledge the impact that intergenerational trauma and past injustices have had on First Nations peoples and support opportunities to address the range of structural and systemic factors which drive the AOD-related harms experienced by many First Nations communities.

NADA will continue to be guided by our Aboriginal Community Controlled member organisations, as we advocate for sustainability of AOD services to Aboriginal communities, strategies to grow and support the First Nation’s AOD workforce and approaches that enhance the culturally safety of all AOD treatment services.

We encourage mainstream organisations to listen to, support and work together with their First Nations staff, Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisation partners and the communities they work with, in the lead up to the Referendum. We ask you to engage in sharing information and supporting people to make informed decisions in the upcoming referendum.

More information is available via Reconciliation Australia and the Uluru Statement website.

For resources to support First Nations people during the referendum debate, see Anti-discrimination NSW and 13YARN resilience resource 6 ways to look after yourself and mob during the Voice referendum debate.

Download this statement [PDF]