Our Impact

Investing in what works

Young people experiencing addiction often arrive at a crisis point.
The youth-specific programs we fund open the door to safety, recovery and a life young people can shape on their own terms.

Supporting recovery beyond treatment

Our impact is seen through treatment, aftercare and ongoing support that helps young people build stability, confidence and safer futures over time.

Safer futures

Support for healthier, more stable, more independent futures.

Ongoing care

Recovery support that continues beyond treatment and into everyday life.

Stronger pathways

Helping young people rebuild confidence, direction and opportunity.

Connected support

Backing treatment, aftercare and ongoing recovery support pathways.

By the numbers

The programs we fund are backed by robust evidence. Every dollar we invest improves outcomes for an increasing number of young people in crisis.

Youth Network brings together aftercare services across four locations, helping young people maintain their recovery after residential treatment.

In the first three years of Youth Network:

328 young people across four locations received access to aftercare
4 in 5 young people met or partially met their substance use recovery goals
over half of young people experienced improved mental health outcomes
2 in 5 young people left the programs into secure and stable housing
over a third of young people engaged with community services and activities*

Changing lives through aftercare

Since 2022, Youth Network has expanded aftercare availability from one to four Mission Australia residential rehabilitation sites in NSW and WA.

A robust return on investment

Supporting youth addiction treatment and recovery drives better outcomes for young people and the community.

$5.40 return on investment (ROI) for every $1 invested in quality alcohol and other drug treatment programs^. Savings include:

improved health outcomes
strengthened wellbeing
increased participation in community life
reduced demand on health and other social services.

Up to $4.38 return on investment for every $1 invested Youth Network over 10 years#**.

^{*Source: Reported outcomes across all Youth Network aftercare locations}

^{^Source: Voce, A. & Sullivan, T. (2022). What are the monetary returns of investing in programs that reduce demand for illicit drugs? Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice No. 657. Australian Institute of Criminology.}

^{# Reflects savings on health services alone; true value is likely higher when justice, housing and other social services impacts, as well as education and employment gains, are considered.}

^{** Source: ACIL Allen. (2026). Evaluation of the Youth Network: A summary of the independent evaluation of aftercare expansion (2022–2025).}

Stories of
hope

Read real stories from young people whose lives have been changed through treatment, recovery and aftercare, showing how support, stability and opportunity can help create safer futures and meaningful change over time.