What the UN’s World Youth Report means for young Australians facing addiction

A new global report confirms what we see every day: mental health and substance use are deeply connected, and young people need support that addresses both.

Three out of four adult mental health conditions first appear before the age of 24. For many young people, that window is also when substance use begins, often as a way to cope with the very distress that hasn’t yet been recognised or treated.

This is one of the central findings of the United Nations’ World Youth Report: Youth Mental Health and Well-being, launched in February 2026. While the UN formally defines “youth” as those aged 15 to 24, the report’s survey and consultations drew on the experiences of young people aged 15 to 29, with the 20 to 24 age group making up the largest cohort. Across nearly 3,000 respondents from 137 countries, it’s the most comprehensive global snapshot of youth mental health in years and its findings speak directly to our work at Sir David Martin Foundation.

A global picture that mirrors what we see locally

The report found that 43 per cent of young people rated their general mental health as “poor” or “fair.” Close to 40 per cent reported that a family member had difficulty managing emotions, lived with a mental health disorder, or used alcohol or drugs. These aren’t distant statistics – they reflect the experiences of many of the young Australians who come through the programs we fund.

When asked what stopped them seeking help, young people’s most common answers were a lack of trust in other people, fear of not being taken seriously, and the worry of being a burden. Stigma, shame, and not knowing where to turn featured strongly and are barriers that the young people we support work to overcome every day.

“Everybody has mental health; you have to learn how to take care of it.”

— Young person, UN World Youth Report focus group

Substance use and mental health: why they can’t be treated in isolation

Globally, alcohol and other drug use ranks among the top 10 causes of disability for young people aged 10 to 24. The WHO reports that 22 per cent of 15 to 19-year-olds worldwide were using alcohol in 2019, and cannabis use among adolescents exceeded adult rates.

The report highlights that adolescence is a period of brain development second only to infancy. Young people are especially sensitive to social cues, peer acceptance, and emotional pressures which makes them more vulnerable to substances, and more likely to use them as a coping strategy when distressed.

This cycle is something we understand deeply. Many young people arriving at Triple Care Farm are dealing with both substance use and underlying mental health challenges. They may have started drinking or using drugs to manage anxiety, depression, or trauma – only to find their mental health worsening over time. Effective treatment needs to address both, and that’s exactly what the youth-specific programs we fund are designed to do.

What the data tells us about young Australians

Australia featured directly in the report through an interview with a 19-year-old Indigenous young man with out-of-home care experience, whose story illustrated how cultural disconnection, systemic disadvantage, and mental health challenges compound one another.

The report’s survey found that 51 per cent of respondents from the Australia and New Zealand subregion had wanted to talk to someone about their mental health but didn’t know where to turn. That’s more than half of young people feeling unable to access the help they need.

Domestic data reinforces the urgency. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare:

Why this matters for the work we do

The World Youth Report calls for a fundamental shift in how we approach youth mental health. It argues that treatment alone isn’t enough—we need to address the social conditions that shape young people’s wellbeing: their education, their family environments, their financial stability, their experiences online, and the communities around them.

This is the approach that has guided our Foundation for 35 years. Through our funding of Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm, we support young people aged 16-24 through a holistic recovery journey that addresses substance use alongside the underlying factors that contributed to it – trauma, mental health conditions, disconnection from education and employment, and fractured family relationships. And through our Youth Network initiative, we’ve expanded Aftercare support to young people leaving residential treatment, funding dedicated Aftercare Workers across four Mission Australia sites in Robertson, Batemans Bay, Dubbo and Perth – because recovery doesn’t end when a young person walks out the door.

The report also emphasises that young people must be active participants in the solutions that affect their lives, not passive recipients of care. When young people have genuine agency in their recovery, they’re more likely to engage with treatment, sustain positive change, and build the confidence they need to move forward. It’s why we ensure a strong youth voice guides and influences our ongoing efforts through our Youth Advisory Group.

“Addressing youth mental health in ways that genuinely meet the needs of young people is a key priority.”

— UN World Youth Report 2025

Looking ahead

The UN’s findings reinforce what our community of supporters has long understood: that young people in crisis deserve compassion, not judgement. They deserve programs that see the whole person, not just the substance use. And they deserve a society that invests in their futures before it’s too late.

If you or someone you know needs support, visit syn08ee.syd5.hostyourservices.net/~stagingr/martinwp/get-support.

Sources

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It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Dame Marie Bashir AC, who served as Patron of the Sir David Martin Foundation from 2001 to 2014.

Dame Marie’s commitment to improving the lives of young Australians aligned seamlessly with our Foundation’s mission. Her distinguished career as a child and adolescent psychiatrist, combined with her role as the first female Governor of New South Wales, brought invaluable insight and advocacy to our work in youth alcohol and drug treatment.

During her thirteen years as our Patron, Dame Marie championed the Foundation’s efforts to provide accessible, evidence-based treatment for young people facing addiction. Her compassion, intellect, and unwavering dedication to mental health and youth wellbeing left a lasting mark on our organisation and the broader community.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Dame Marie’s family and join all Australians in mourning the loss of this remarkable woman who dedicated her life to service.JTNDc3R5bGUlM0UlMEEub3ZhbCUyMCU3QiUwQWRpc3BsYXklM0Fub25lJTIxaW1wb3J0YW50JTNCJTBBJTdEJTBBJTNDJTJGc3R5bGUlM0U=

How to drink less during the holidays

The holidays can be a tricky time for people who aren’t drinking, or are drinking less. Alcohol is a big part of a lot of celebrations, and navigating those situations while staying within your personal limits can be awkward or stressful at times.

If you want to drink less or celebrate sober this holiday season, being mentally prepared and having strategies beforehand makes it easier.

Reach out for help this holiday season

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or other substance use during the holidays, or finding it hard to slow down, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. There are always options available for support.

To start a conversation with someone you know about substance use this festive season, you can download our free Conversation Starter Toolkit here: Download the Toolkit

If you are in crisis, call:

You can also access other resources and support services here.JTNDc3R5bGUlM0UlMEEub3ZhbCUyMCU3QiUwQWRpc3BsYXklM0Fub25lJTIxaW1wb3J0YW50JTNCJTBBJTdEJTBBJTNDJTJGc3R5bGUlM0U=

Sir David Martin Foundation joins sector partners in expressing disappointment on the NSW Government’s response to the Drug Summit Report

Sir David Martin Foundation joins our partners in the Fair Treatment campaign and across the sector in responding to the NSW Government’s recent release of their response to the Drug Summit 2024 Co-Chair Report. As a Foundation dedicated to supporting young people affected by alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, we are particularly concerned about the implications of this response for vulnerable youth across NSW.

Young people deserve bold, evidence-based action that addresses the unique challenges they face. The Government’s response, whilst acknowledging some important areas, falls short of the comprehensive reform needed to truly support young people navigating drug use and the systems meant to help them.

The Fair Treatment Campaign shared a Media Release:

October 28, 2025

NSW Government squibs it in their response to the NSW Drug Summit Report

Responding to today’s announcement of the NSW Government’s response to the NSW Drug Summit Report, Emma Maiden, Uniting NSW.ACT’s Director of Advocacy and External Relations said: “The whole community will be shocked and disappointed at the lack of vision and boldness in the Government’s response to the Drug Summit.

“We saw the Bob Carr Labor Government meet the moment of the original Drug Summit in 1999 but the lack of leadership to meet the moment of the latest Drug Summit by the current government is profoundly disappointing.

“The NSW Government have let down the community down today.

“This response does not reflect what the community and the experts wanted.

“They have squibbed it.

“The mums and dads of NSW, the people who have lost someone they love, the people who can’t access treatment and the many, many organisations, officials and experts all came to the Drug Summit last year with goodwill, hope and high expectations for real, meaningful and positive change.

“Law enforcement, health experts, the community sector, academics, AOD specialists.

“This response today is really out of touch with community attitudes on these issues and is a real let down.

“While we welcome the reforms to the EDDI scheme- this was already going to happen as part of the two-year review into the scheme.

“In terms of an “investigation into cannabis driving laws”- we don’t need another ‘investigation’ we need the action already identified by the Cannabis Inquiry.

“First Nations people and regional communities are notably absent from this long-awaited response from government. Considering the failures of First Nations inclusion at the Drug Summit itself, this is a particularly hurtful exclusion of the people most disproportionately impacted by our unfair drug laws.

“We, along with everyone who contributed to and participated in the NSW Drug Summit in good faith, are fundamentally let down,” Emma said.

“The response today fails to adopt, resource and implement the 56 recommendations of the Drug Summit Report in full – to comprehensively deal with our unfair drug laws and the very real harm they cause.

“This weak response today is a win for bad politics over good policy” she said.

“This response fails to measure up to the bravery and efforts of the Carr Government 25 years ago.

“The reason we had a Drug Summit was that the status quo wasn’t enough, wasn’t working and was doing very real harm.

“This latest disappointment is only going to lead to further harm, further stigma in NSW and that needs to be worn by the NSW Government.

“The community, the experts, the sector, and the people of NSW deserve so much better than this.

“Despite this – we will continue to, along with everyone in the community and sector, campaign for real, meaningful reform to our unfair drug laws in NSW,” Emma said.

Uniting has run the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre in Kings Cross for nearly 25 years and has spearheaded the Fair Treatment campaign for fairer drug laws for over seven years.

Read the media release on Fair Treatment’s website here.

Key implications for young people

The Government’s response reveals concerning gaps in addressing young people’s needs:

  1. Youth Drug and Alcohol Court not reinstated: The Government explicitly rejects reinstating the evidence-based Youth Drug and Alcohol Court (Recommendation 12.5), removing a proven therapeutic pathway for young people in the justice system. This specialist court provided tailored, health-focused responses to young people with AOD issues – its absence represents a significant missed opportunity.
  2. Strip searching continues: The outright rejection of Recommendation 12.10 , means young people will continue to be subjected to invasive strip searches – a traumatic practice that contradicts harm reduction principles.
  3. Limited commitment to reducing criminalisation: Young people continue to be disproportionately impacted by drug laws. The refusal to strengthen youth diversion programs perpetuates harm. While the Government supports reducing spent conviction periods for juveniles from 3 years to 1 year (Recommendation 9.4), no implementation timeline is provided, meaning young people continue facing barriers to employment, housing and education due to minor drug convictions.
  4. Treatment access remains inadequate: Recommendation 6.2 (enhance youth treatment access) is only “supported in principle” with no concrete funding, timelines, or acknowledgment of current service gaps and waitlists.
  5. Regional and First Nations young people overlooked: As noted in the Fair Treatment media release, First Nations people and regional communities are “notably absent” from this response. This exclusion particularly harms young First Nations people in regional areas who face compounding disadvantage and disproportionate contact with the justice system.
  6. Insufficient investment in early intervention: The Government supports prevention and early intervention “in principle” (Recommendation 3.1), but the response lacks concrete funding commitments or timelines specifically targeting young people during critical developmental periods.

Sir David Martin Foundation has been a member of the Fair Treatment campaign since 2024, advocating for fairer drug laws and better support for people affected by drug use in NSW, and will continue to collaborate with the sector to advocate for change.

We believe young people deserve a health-based, evidence-informed approach to drug use that prioritises their wellbeing, reduces stigma, and provides meaningful pathways to support when needed.

Further reading

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What are the social media age restrictions?

From 10 December 2025, age-restricted social media platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from creating or keeping an account. This world-first legislation aims to protect young Australians from pressures and risks associated with social media design features that encourage excessive screen time and can harm their health and wellbeing.

Which platforms are affected?

As of 4 November 2025, the eSafety Commissioner has identified the following as age-restricted platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Kick and Reddit.

Platforms not considered age-restricted include Discord, GitHub, Google Classroom, LEGO Play, Messenger, Roblox, Steam and Steam Chat, WhatsApp and YouTube Kids. Services whose sole or primary purpose is messaging or online gaming are excluded under the legislative rules.

Key implications

For young people:

For platforms:

For parents and carers:

How the social media ban works

Social media companies have been given a transition period of one year after the law was implemented to introduce reasonable controls to prevent minors under 16 from having accounts. The eSafety Commissioner has published regulatory guidance taking a principles-based approach that emphasises there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

More information

Visit the eSafety Commissioner’s website at esafety.gov.au/for-the-good-of for comprehensive resources, including information kits, FAQs, and advice for families and educators.JTNDc3R5bGUlM0UlMEEub3ZhbCUyMCU3QiUwQWRpc3BsYXklM0Fub25lJTIxaW1wb3J0YW50JTNCJTBBJTdEJTBBJTNDJTJGc3R5bGUlM0U=

Q&A: Gifts in Wills with Ruth Markham

Behind every young person who finds hope and recovery through Sir David Martin Foundation is a community of people who believe in giving others a second chance. One powerful way they show they care is through gifts left in Wills, quiet acts of generosity that continue changing lives long after they’re given.

To explore what makes this kind of giving so meaningful, we sat down with our Philanthropy Manager and bequest expert, Ruth Markham. Ruth has seen firsthand how Gifts in Wills help young people recover from addiction, reconnect with family, and build a future filled with purpose. In this Q&A, Ruth answers some of the most common questions about how to leave a gift, why it matters, and the legacy of compassion it creates.

What does it mean, in your view, to leave a gift in your Will to someone or something you deeply care about?

It’s a deeply thoughtful and personal gesture. Leaving a gift in your Will is a way of expressing what matters most to you. It shows your values and ensures that your care continues beyond your lifetime. It’s also a meaningful way to let your loved ones know what causes or people have been important to you. Leaving a gift in your Will means something different to everyone.  You can read one remarkable and unique story from Mark who explains what it means to him here.

What kinds of gifts can someone leave in their Will (for example, cash, property, or percentages of their estate) and how do those work in practice?

The most common types of gifts are a percentage of the estate (known as a residuary gift) or a fixed cash amount (known as a pecuniary gift).  Leaving a percentage is often more flexible, as the gift remains proportional to the overall value of your estate, and is less likely to be reduced by inflation over time.

Many people feel leaving a gift in their Will is something only for those with great wealth. What would you say to someone who worries they don’t have enough to make a meaningful impact?

That’s a very common concern, but the truth is that anyone can leave a gift in their Will, no matter their financial situation. You don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference.  In fact, many of the most impactful gifts come from people who lived everyday lives and wanted to help in whatever way they could. Every gift, no matter the size, is valuable and appreciated.

From your experience, what are some of the concerns or myths people have about leaving a charitable gift in their Will, and how do you gently address them?

A common concern is the belief that leaving a gift to charity might take away from what they can leave to their family. And in many cases, people understandably want to prioritise their loved ones –  that’s completely natural.

What we often share is that even leaving a small percentage of your estate, say, 1%,can make a meaningful difference to a cause you care about, without significantly affecting what your family receives.

It’s not about choosing between family and charity. It’s about finding a balance that reflects your values and the life you’ve lived.

Could you walk us through the simple first steps someone needs to take if they are considering leaving a gift in their Will to Sir David Martin Foundation?

Absolutely. A great place to start is by downloading our Gifts in Wills booklet from the Sir David Martin Foundation website. It’s a helpful resource you can take with you when speaking to your solicitor or Will-writing professional.

If you’re creating your Will online, there’s usually an option to include a charitable gift during the process. Be sure to use our full legal name and ABN to avoid any confusion.

Once your Will is updated, we encourage you to talk with your loved ones about your decision, so they understand and support your wishes.

And finally, if you feel comfortable, we’d love to hear from you. Letting us know you’ve included a gift helps us plan for the future and gives us the opportunity to thank you for your generosity in whatever way feels right for you.

If someone was thinking of leaving a gift, when would be a good time to do so?

Most people tend to write or update their Will during major life events, such as getting married, having children, going through a divorce, or retiring. These moments naturally prompt reflection on what matters most and who should be included in your plans.

That said, even outside of big life changes, it’s a good idea to review your Will every few years. Your priorities and circumstances may shift over time, and updating your Will ensures it still reflects your wishes, including any desire to support a cause close to your heart. In fact, I’m planning on updating my own Will in the next six months.

Do you have a story of someone whose legacy gift has made a real difference through the Foundation’s programs?

We have many wonderful stories, and every gift in Will we receive has a lasting impact. One of the most significant examples is the creation of David Martin Place, opened in 2017. This specialised withdrawal unit at Triple Care Farm was made possible thanks to the generosity of both our long-term supporters and those who chose to leave a gift in their Will.

Their legacy helped fill a critical gap in youth drug and alcohol withdrawal services. As a result, young people experiencing serious disadvantage now have a safe place to begin their recovery journey.

These kinds of legacy gifts don’t just support a program. They change lives.

How does Sir David Martin Foundation honour or acknowledge those supporters who include the Foundation in their Will?

We are deeply grateful to those who choose to leave a gift in their Will, and we honour their legacy with great care.

Each year, we acknowledge and remember these generous individuals in our Annual Report, recognising the lasting impact they have made through their final gift.

For those who feel comfortable letting us know in advance, we also offer the opportunity to connect more closely with the Foundation during their lifetime so we can thank them personally, keep them updated on the work they’re supporting, and ensure their wishes are understood and respected.

What would you say to someone who wants to do something meaningful and lasting, and deeply cares about young Australians now and in the future?

We are deeply grateful to those who choose to leave a gift in their Will, and we honour their legacy with great care.

We would truly welcome the opportunity to connect with them. Hearing why our mission matters to someone is incredibly special to us and we love getting to know the people who choose to support our work.

If you’re considering leaving a gift in your Will but aren’t quite sure yet, we’d be more than happy to have a friendly, obligation-free chat. You’re also very welcome to attend one of our events to see firsthand how your support could change the lives of young Australians in crisis.

Leaving a legacy is a powerful act and we’re here to help you explore what that could look like in a way that’s meaningful to you.If you would like to know more about leaving a gift in your Will, please:

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Building Emotional Resilience in Youth

Emotional Resilience is the Ability to Adapt and Grow Through Difficulties.

It is not something people are simply born with, it’s a skill that can be developed, supported and strengthened over time. In the current state of the world and the many emerging challenges that future generations face, cultivating emotional resilience during youth is incredibly important. Contrary to outdated beliefs resilience is not built through ignoring emotions, pushing on no matter the circumstances and sheer grit, it is instead embodied through self-confidence, trusting in long term goals and building support systems. 

Emotional Resilience in Today’s World for Young People

For young people, adolescence and early adulthood can be a time of enormous change. From navigating relationships and school or work pressures, to dealing with family difficulties or unexpected crises, life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Without the right support, these challenges can lead to serious struggles with mental health and can in some cases lead individuals to use alcohol and other drugs as a coping mechanism.  

Emotional resilience is what helps a young person cope with stress, build confidence, and keep moving forward, even when things get tough. Resilience can be a young persons safety net and is about finding ways to adapt, recover and see the bigger picture. 

Tools to Building Youth Emotional Resilience

Supportive Relationships

Strong, safe connections with family, friends, mentors or community members provide a foundation of care and belonging. Even one trusted adult can make a difference in helping a young person feel less alone and more capable of facing challenges. 

Healthy Coping Strategies

Learning positive ways to manage stress, like exercise, creative expression, mindfulness or journaling, helps young people process emotions without turning to harmful behaviours.Some resources that encourage healthy coping strategies and emotional resilience include: 

Opportunities for Growth

Emotional resilience builds when young people are encouraged to try new things, set goals, and celebrate progress. Achieving small successes can help restore confidence and belief in their own strengths. 

A Sense of Purpose

Feeling connected to something bigger, whether it’s education, work, culture, or community, helps young people find meaning and direction, even during difficult times. Emotional resilience is not about being tough all the time. It is about having the courage to ask for help, the support to heal, and the belief that things can get better. Every young person deserves to feel resilient, sometimes they just need the right environment and encouragement for it to shine through. 
 
Programs supported by Sir David Martin Foundation, such as Triple Care Farm and Youth Network, are designed to nurture resilience. They provide young people with safe spaces, professional support, and opportunities to build skills and confidence for the future. With the right tools and encouragement, young people can not only recover but go on to thrive.JTNDc3R5bGUlM0UlMEEub3ZhbCUyMCU3QiUwQWRpc3BsYXklM0Fub25lJTIxaW1wb3J0YW50JTNCJTBBJTdEJTBBJTNDJTJGc3R5bGUlM0U=

Overdose Deaths in Australia: A Crisis We Cannot Ignore

In line with World Overdose Awareness Day on 31 August, the Penington Institute has released Australia’s Annual Overdose Report 2025, shining a light on the devastating overdose crisis in our country. 

The report revealed that in 2023, 2,272 Australians lost their lives to overdose. While this figure is down slightly from 2022, it marks the tenth consecutive year that more than 2,000 people have died from drug induced causes. Tragically, the number of overdose deaths was almost double the national road toll (1,315 deaths). 

Behind every number is a real person, someone who was loved and gave love. Their lives mattered. Today is an important reminder that addiction does not erase the love someone has given or the life they lived. 

At Sir David Martin Foundation, we are acutely aware of how addiction can overwhelm lives, particularly among young Australians. The programs we fund like Triple Care Farm address the root causes of addiction and provide the treatment and support young people need to rebuild their futures. With more than three-quarters of all drug induced deaths in 2023 being unintentional, it is vital that those on their recovery journey have access to ongoing care. Triple Care Farm’s holistic approach offers a safe space for young people to withdraw, rehabilitate and transition back into the community through Aftercare. This gives young people the chance to not just get well but stay well. 

The report highlights that overdose deaths do not affect all communities equally. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to experience disproportionately high rates of drug-induced deaths (21.3 per 100,000 in 2023, compared with 5.7 among non-Indigenous Australians). Overdose deaths are also increasingly occurring in suburban living rooms and regional towns, far beyond the stereotype of street-based drug use.  

The report also found worrying trends in substances involved. Opioids remained the most common drug involved in unintentional overdose deaths, contributing to almost half (43.9%) of all cases in 2023. Stimulants were the second most common (33.1%), with cocaine-related deaths also increasing. Nearly one in ten overdose deaths occurred among people aged 0–29, highlighting the urgent need for support for young people. 

In total, 66,636 years of potential life were lost in 2023 due to drug-induced deaths. This is a harrowing figure that reflects just how potent this crisis is. 

The findings of the Penington Institute report reinforce the importance of continuing to support those living with addiction and expanding access to life saving services. On World Overdose Awareness Day, we remember those we have lost and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that young people have access to evidence based treatment and the chance to create brighter futures. 

If you would like to read the full report you can do so here.JTNDc3R5bGUlM0UlMEEub3ZhbCUyMCU3QiUwQWRpc3BsYXklM0Fub25lJTIxaW1wb3J0YW50JTNCJTBBJTdEJTBBJTNDJTJGc3R5bGUlM0U=

The Power of Peer Support in Recovery for Teens and Young Adults

Peer support is a powerful tool for teens and young people who are recovering from addiction or drug dependency. By taking part in youth-led groups and conversations, young people can meet peers who have had similar experiences and are walking a similar journey to recovery.  

There are many forms that peer support can take, and many ways it can benefit teens and young people on the path to get well.  

How Peer Support Aids Recovery

Peer support is when people give and receive support based on their shared experiences.  

There is limited evidence that peer support reduces mental health symptoms. However, it can still be an important tool in recovery. (1)  

Teens and young people experiencing drug dependence or addiction can face shame and stigma when speaking about their experiences in society. This is where peer support can be useful. Speaking to other young people who have had a similar experience can benefit those who take part by: 

For young people, finding youth-led groups or support tailored to their age group can increase this sense of community and connection. (2) 

Types of Peer Support for Young People

Peer support can be professional or informal. Informal peer support is a mutual relationship between people who have similar experiences (2).  

This could look take place in common interest groups or meetups, like sober clubs or social groups, or virtually on social media groups or forums.  

Professional peer support can involve a Peer Support Worker with lived experience of drug dependence or substance use, who is trained to support others safely.  There are also programs and groups designed to address substance use that can youth-led, including: 

For teens and young people on a recovery journey, peer support through youth-led groups, one-on-one support, or an informal community are a viable support option to consider. They can provide connection, support, and hope.

If you or someone you know is interested in peer support as part of recovery, ask your health practitioner or support worker for peer support options that are local to your area and suitable for you. 

References

Peer Support for Mental Health
Community, Connection and Recovery: The Power of Mutual SupportJTNDc3R5bGUlM0UlMEEub3ZhbCUyMCU3QiUwQWRpc3BsYXklM0Fub25lJTIxaW1wb3J0YW50JTNCJTBBJTdEJTBBJTNDJTJGc3R5bGUlM0U=

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation, in partnership with Sir David Martin Foundation, has completed a comprehensive mapping of youth alcohol and other drug (AOD) services across Australia.

The findings reveal both encouraging progress and critical gaps that directly impact young people’s access to life-saving support.

While the mapping shows notable strengths, it also revealed key obstacles preventing young people from accessing the specialist support they need, pointing to urgent opportunities for system improvement:

  • Specialised Clinical Services: Only 31 programs offer youth-specific withdrawal and detox services, indicating an opportunity to expand specialised clinical support.
  • Family Engagement: While 99 programs include family support, expanding this proven approach could significantly improve treatment outcomes, particularly given the strong evidence for family involvement in youth recovery.
  • Cultural Responsiveness: With 97 programs offering culturally appropriate support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, there’s scope to better address the specific needs of First Nations young people and families.
  • Service Navigation: Inconsistent age definitions across programs (ranging from 0+ to specific brackets like 16-28 years, with 12-25 being most common) creates confusion for families seeking appropriate support. Standardising these definitions could improve access.
  • Service Visibility: The complexity of the service landscape means some programs offering multiple services may not appear in relevant searches, presenting an opportunity to improve how services are categorised and promoted.

Overall this project highlighted some key areas where gains can be made:

  • Understanding how young people and their families go about searching for information on youth AOD services
  • Creating improved user-friendly tools that help families and young people navigate the complex service landscape and enable them to connect with appropriate specialist support
  • Using this evidence base to inform our funding decisions, prioritising investment in proven youth-specialist programs and addressing critical service gaps aligned to our mission
  • Building stronger connections and collaborations within the sector by sharing insights from this mapping with service providers and peak bodies

Ultimately this important work can also support initiatives to influence national youth AOD policy, including increased funding of specialist programs and addressing the geographic inequities that leave some communities underserved.

Making data-driven change

This mapping project represents more than statistics – it’s about ensuring that when a young person or family reaches out for help, they can access appropriate, youth-focused support. Every data point represents a potential pathway to recovery, and this comprehensive evidence base positions the Foundation to achieve our strategic aspirations over the next five years.

Through your continued support, Sir David Martin Foundation is leveraging this evidence to become a shining light to provide youth AOD service intelligence, so that more young Australians can find and access the specialist support they need to build healthy, fulfilling lives.

This analysis is based on the comprehensive Youth AOD Services mapping project completed in partnership with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation in May 2025 utilising the Path2Help database.

Thank you to our partner:

Alcohol and Drug Foundation

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