“Prevention is a powerful tool – it addresses the drivers of disadvantage and helps create environments where people can thrive before problems take root,” said Dr Erin Lalor AM, CEO of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF), setting the tone for what would be two transformative days of learning and connection.

Earlier in May, I had the privilege of attending the Prevention in Place Conference alongside our CEO Karen Elliff at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Among nearly 300 community health leaders and innovators from across Australia, we immersed ourselves in conversations about how place-based approaches can strengthen prevention efforts and address complex social issues.

The Power of Place-Based Approaches

The conference centred on place-based approaches – strategies that recognise communities as unique ecosystems with their own strengths, challenges, and solutions. This framework resonated deeply with our work at Martin Youth Foundation, where we help young people in crisis by enabling best practice models of treatment for youth drug and alcohol addiction.

Dr Luke Craven from PLACE, Associate Professor Therese Riley from Mitchell Institute, and Kerry Jones from The Australian Centre for Social Innovation opened with compelling insights about how social issues interconnect within communities. Their collective wisdom highlighted that drug and alcohol challenges don’t exist in isolation – they’re woven into the fabric of housing stability, economic opportunity, and social connection.

This perspective validates what we’re seeing in the youth addiction programs we support. Young people experiencing addiction often navigate complex lives where multiple factors influence their wellbeing and recovery journeys.

Collaboration as the Cornerstone of Change

The session on “Building Sustainable Change” brought together voices from VicHealth, Hands Up Mallee, Inala Primary Care, and Collaboration for Impact. Their experiences demonstrated how strategic partnerships can transform prevention efforts when organisations step outside traditional boundaries.

Jane McCracken’s work with Hands Up Mallee showed the power of deep community engagement and long-term commitment. These aren’t quick-fix strategies – they’re patient investments in relationships and systems that ultimately create more resilient communities – and young people.

Reflecting on our work at the Foundation, these insights demonstrate the importance of providing safety, hope and opportunity to young Australians through comprehensive support systems that recognise recovery as a journey, not a single intervention.

The Power of Evidence-Based Approaches

The presentations on innovative evaluation and data-informed decision making provided valuable insights. Dr Skye McPhie from the ADF and experts from the Centre for Evidence and Implementation offered practical frameworks for measuring impact while honouring the complexity of community contexts.

Professor Sharon Goldfeld’s work with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute demonstrated how thoughtful data collection can reveal patterns and opportunities we might otherwise miss, especially when working with young people.

These sessions inspired us to think more critically about how we evaluate our programs and the metrics that truly matter when supporting young people’s recovery journeys.

Breaking Down Silos, Building Up Communities

Day two’s interactive “Action Stations” created valuable opportunities to move between conversations about systems thinking, evaluation methodologies, capacity building, and data analysis. Karen and I split up to cover more ground, gathering insights to bring back to our team.

This format reinforced how these elements must work together in effective prevention. At Sir David Martin Foundation, we’ve seen firsthand how housing stability, educational opportunities, social connections, and mental health support all influence recovery outcomes for young people.

Moving Forward with New Perspectives

What’s clear from the conference is that addressing drug and alcohol issues effectively means understanding broader social determinants of health. Rather than viewing challenges in isolation, we need to see them as part of complex systems where multiple factors interact.

As Dr Lalor emphasised: “For alcohol and other drug harm, prevention means addressing the root causes like disconnection, trauma and stigma, and investing in evidence-based strategies that strengthen protective factors, particularly for young people.”

This perspective feels especially relevant as we return to our work supporting vulnerable young Australians. The connections made with others working on similar challenges will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts to break the devastating cycle of addiction through best-practice models of treatment.

The Prevention in Place Conference was a powerful reminder that though our work is challenging, we’re part of a nationwide community of dedicated professionals creating meaningful change. As a family foundation, we remain passionately committed to helping young people in crisis by providing them with safety, hope, and opportunity – and by collaborating with others to create lasting change for future generations.

What are Place-Based Approaches?

Place-based approaches recognise that communities are unique ecosystems with their own distinct strengths, challenges, and resources. Rather than implementing one-size-fits-all solutions from the outside, these approaches:

In the context of drug and alcohol prevention, place-based approaches look at the specific environmental, social, and economic factors that influence substance use in a particular community and develop tailored strategies that respond to those unique conditions.

The NSW Government now has six months to respond to a landmark report that could fundamentally reshape how Australia supports people facing drug-related challenges. Released in April 2025, the 2024 NSW Drug Summit report delivers 56 comprehensive recommendations across prevention, early intervention, community support, stigma reduction and criminal justice reform.

Recap of the NSW Drug Summit 2024

The summit, held 25 years after the historic 1999 Drug Summit, brought together over 550 individuals and 250 organisations across Griffith, Lismore, and Sydney. Co-chaired by former NSW Deputy Premier Carmel Tebbutt and John Brogden AM, the process emphasised treating drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal justice problem.

The report’s findings are stark: an estimated 101,773 people in NSW require but are not receiving treatment. Current services are underfunded, fragmented, and fail to address the growing complexity of presentations involving mental health, housing, and family issues.

Key recommendations at a glance

Service System Reform: A 10-year whole-of-government strategy with significantly increased funding, prioritising rural access and population-based distribution models.

Prevention and Early Intervention: Enhanced programs targeting the first 2,000 days of a child’s life, increased social housing investment, and place-based community initiatives.

Harm Reduction: Drug-checking services at music festivals, expanded needle and syringe programs, and legislative changes to enable additional medically supervised injecting centres.

Criminal Justice Reform: Reformed Early Drug Diversion Initiative with reduced police discretion, expanded specialist courts in regional areas, and cessation of strip searching for drug possession at festivals.

Workforce and Cultural Safety: Full implementation of the NSW AOD Workforce Strategy, expanded peer workforce programs, and enhanced Aboriginal community-controlled services.

Stigma Reduction: Community education campaigns, media guideline implementation, and reforms to spent conviction schemes to reduce employment barriers.

Young voices leading change

For young people, these recommendations offer hope, though many remain cautious about whether their voices will translate into real change. Over 35 young participants contributed to dedicated sessions, delivering powerful insights that fundamentally challenged decades of failed approaches—yet youth delegates raised concerns that insufficient time was allocated to exploring their priorities in detail.

Young people were clear that current school drug education “poorly resonated with their experience” and demanded programs treating drug use as a health issue. They called for evidence-based approaches delivered through channels they actually use, rather than outdated scare tactics.

The report identifies critical gaps in youth-specific services. Many young people face inappropriate placement in adult treatment facilities or must travel long distances from support networks. Current supported accommodation options of just 2-3 days are woefully inadequate for those leaving custody or treatment.

Perhaps most significantly, young people will be central to co-designing future services. The report calls for expanded peer workforce programs and integrated “no wrong door” approaches that address the complex, interconnected challenges young people face—from substance use and mental health to homelessness and trauma.

Powerful testimony from a young Aboriginal woman, who shared her experience as a 16-year-old, illustrated current system failures: “I went into drug and alcohol service and told them I was homeless and living on the streets. It’s like they ignored that entire part of my story because it was too hard for them… I understand now, as an adult, drug and alcohol services don’t help with homelessness, but it would’ve been gold for them to refer me to service that could assist me.”

Sector leaders demand action

Peak sector organisations are already mobilising for implementation. The Network of Alcohol and Other Drugs Agencies (NADA), the National Users and AIDS Association (NUAA), and ACON have issued a joint statement calling on the NSW Government to implement the report’s recommendations in full.

The organisations are urging the NSW Government to establish a dedicated Taskforce to oversee the rollout of the NSW Drug Summit recommendations, which must include representatives of people with lived and living experiences of drug use and other affected communities.

NADA CEO Dr Robert Stirling emphasised the sector’s readiness: “NADA supports the 56 priority actions and stands ready to work with the NSW Government to expedite development of a 10-year plan to improve drug policy and ensure that the people of NSW can access treatment and support when and where they need it.”

Time to act

The NSW Government’s six-month response timeline creates urgency around implementation. For young people and mental health advocates, this represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to move beyond fragmented, criminalising approaches toward integrated, health-focused services designed with and for young people.

As the peak bodies note: “The evidence is clear: a harm minimisation approach saves lives, reduces the burden on the justice system, and improves health and social outcomes. Now is the time to act.”

The blueprint exists. Young and lived experience voices have been heard. Sector leaders are united. Now comes the crucial test of political will and adequate resourcing to transform these recommendations into reality.

When it comes to treating substance addiction, there’s no single path to recovery. Every individual brings their own history, challenges, and hopes, and the support offered needs to reflect that. Two common approaches in the treatment of alcohol and other drugs misuse are harm minimisation and abstinence—and increasingly, we’re learning that they often work hand in hand to help people move toward healthier, more stable lives.

Harm minimisation: meeting people where they are

Harm minimisation is grounded in the idea of meeting people where they are. Rather than focusing solely on stopping drug or alcohol use, it aims to reduce the harmful consequences that can come with addiction. This pragmatic approach recognises that not everyone is ready or able to stop immediately, and that lives can be saved in the meantime.

What harm minimisation looks like in practice

This might involve strategies like:

Harm minimisation often emphasises reducing levels of substance use or drinking, focusing on reducing the immediate and long-term health risks that can result from harmful usage. The strategy’s main goal is keeping both the users and broader society as safe as possible.

Harm minimisation can also be about eliminating substances that the person finds problematic while still using other drugs such as alcohol or nicotine. This holistic approach can include education on the harms of extreme misuse or ways to more safely engage with substances. This further emphasises the individualisation of harm minimisation and the benefits that can come from this more flexible approach.

For many, this approach becomes the first step toward long-term change, including eventual abstinence. However, although harm minimisation techniques have been in use in treatment and legislation for the last 20 years, society still views some of the methods as controversial, despite strong evidence of their effectiveness in saving lives and reducing health system costs.

Abstinence: creating distance from harmful substances

Abstinence, by contrast, is about the complete cessation of substance use from specific substances or all substances. It’s often seen as an important outcome in recovery, a point where the person has worked through the underlying causes of their addiction and built new coping strategies. For a long time, abstinence was the only socially and government-supported method of addiction recovery.

Understanding different types of abstinence

Abstinence can take various forms:

Abstinence isn’t about moral judgment—it’s about making a conscious choice to create distance from substances that have caused pain or chaos. For some, it’s a short-term strategy to reset and reflect. For others, it becomes a long-term commitment to protect their wellbeing and stay focused on recovery goals.

Importantly, choosing abstinence doesn’t mean going it alone. Successful abstinence-based recovery often involves ongoing support through counselling, peer support groups, family therapy, and sometimes medication to manage underlying mental health conditions.

When approaches work together

In practice, these approaches aren’t opposing forces—they’re often complementary. Someone might start with harm minimisation strategies to stabilise their health and housing situation, then gradually work toward periods of abstinence. Others might use abstinence-based treatment but incorporate harm reduction strategies if they experience setbacks.

The most effective treatment systems offer multiple pathways, recognising that what works for one person at one time might not work for another person or even the same person at a different stage of their journey.

Finding the right path forward

Both harm minimisation and abstinence have their place, and the most effective treatment systems don’t force people to choose between them. What matters most is that individuals are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect, no matter where they are on their journey.

Recent policy developments, including findings from the 2024 NSW Drug Summit, increasingly recognise that effective drug policy requires both approaches. The evidence is clear: harm minimisation saves lives while abstinence-based programs provide essential support for those ready to eliminate substance use from their lives.

The goal isn’t to judge which approach is “better”—it’s to ensure that effective, evidence-based options are available when people are ready to use them. Recovery looks different for everyone, and that’s exactly as it should be.

In a significant move for youth advocacy, independent MP Dr. Sophie Scamps has introduced the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill 2025 in federal parliament. This groundbreaking legislation seeks to ensure that government decisions consider their long-term impact on future generations.

The bill would require the government and public bodies to consider how their policies affect young Australians, addressing the growing concern that political decisions are too focused on short-term outcomes. As reported in Women’s Agenda, research from Griffith University’s EveryGen reveals that 81% of Australians believe politicians prioritise short-term issues excessively.

Dr Scamps highlighted that today’s young people face numerous challenges that have developed over decades, including housing affordability, climate change, mental health issues, and intergenerational inequality. “We are leaving our kids a far harder world to flourish in than the one we inherited,” she stated.

A key feature of the bill is the establishment of a Commissioner for Future Generations who would lead public consultations on intergenerational equity. The legislation aims to create a framework where government departments work together rather than in competition, fostering more cohesive policy approaches.

Professor Patrick McGorry, Director of Orygen Youth Health, has voiced strong support for the bill, noting that “young people are being handed a raw deal” and emphasizing that young Australians are facing unfair disadvantages despite being the very individuals who will shape and sustain our nation’s future.

The bill, which was seconded by Liberal MP Bridget Archer, draws inspiration from similar legislation introduced in Wales in 2015. It represents an important step toward ensuring that the wellbeing of future generations becomes a central consideration in Australia’s governance and policy development.

Martin Youth Foundation recognises the importance of initiatives that protect and enhance the future prospects of young Australians, particularly those facing mental health challenges and other systemic barriers to wellbeing.

 

This blog is based on an article published by Women’s Agenda titled “‘Leaving our kids a harder world’: Dr Sophie Scamps pushes government to consider young people in its decisions.” Read the full article here.

The traditional notion that youth is the happiest time of our lives has been dramatically upended, according to groundbreaking research commissioned by the United Nations. The study, led by renowned academics Jean Twenge and David Blanchflower, reveals a troubling shift in happiness patterns across generations, with young people now reporting significantly lower levels of wellbeing than older age groups.

“I don’t think there is any doubt you have an absolute global crisis. Young people are in deep disarray and trouble. And the question is what do we do about it? And we don’t know.” – David Blanchflower

The Vanishing U-Shape of Happiness

For decades, happiness throughout life followed a predictable U-shaped pattern – high during youth, dipping in middle age, then rising again in later years. As Blanchflower explains, “Basically we found that people were at their unhappiest in middle age. You’re happy when you’re young, and you’re happy when you’re old—that’s the U shape”.

However, this pattern has now disappeared in many developed nations, replaced by a steady upward slope where happiness consistently increases with age. The implications are profound, forcing us to “rethink that entire thought” about the lifecycle of human happiness.

Australia in the Global Context

Australia is among the English-speaking countries experiencing this concerning trend, alongside the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The decline in youth happiness has been observed across these nations, with particularly worrying indicators among young Australians.

While initially researchers thought this trend might be related to major events like the COVID-19 pandemic or the 2008 financial crisis, deeper analysis revealed these were merely accelerating pre-existing patterns. As Blanchflower noted, “COVID was just extending the trend that had already been there”.

The Consequences

The implications of this crisis extend far beyond individual suffering. Blanchflower warns that “this may end up being a lost generation” with “vast social and economic consequences”. These include:

The UN has recognised this as “a huge global crisis” and commissioned further research to identify whether the phenomenon extends to other regions worldwide.

References

JTNDc3R5bGUlM0UlMEEub3ZhbCUyMCU3QiUwQWRpc3BsYXklM0Fub25lJTIxaW1wb3J0YW50JTNCJTBBJTdEJTBBJTNDJTJGc3R5bGUlM0U=

Did you know that in 2023, 68% of young people who completed the Triple Care Farm residential withdrawal and rehabilitation programs re-engaged with education or employment within six months of leaving? This powerful statistic highlights the transformative impact of holistic youth-specific alcohol and drug treatment programs. By addressing addiction and mental health challenges, we empower vulnerable young Australians to rebuild their lives and re-enter their communities with hope, purpose, and opportunity.

The State of Education and Employment Among Young Australians

Education and employment are critical markers of stability and independence for young people. In recent years, Australia has seen improvements in youth engagement with education and work, but significant challenges remain for vulnerable groups. For young people affected by addiction, mental health issues, or homelessness, the barriers to education and employment can feel insurmountable without the right support.

Our programs are designed to address these barriers head-on. Through a combination of residential rehabilitation, withdrawal services, and aftercare support in the community, we help young people not only overcome addiction but also re-engage with education and employment as they transition back into their communities.

Barriers to Education and Employment

Young Australians face a range of obstacles that hinder their ability to thrive:

Our Approach

At Sir David Martin Foundation, we believe in the capacity of every young person to make sustained, positive change when given the right support. The programs we support provide a comprehensive pathway from crisis to recovery:

  1. Residential Rehabilitation

Through Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm, we offer a safe space where young people aged 16–24 can address their addiction while developing life skills. Over 12 weeks, participants receive tailored treatment that combines therapy with vocational training, setting them up for future success in education or employment.

  1. Withdrawal Services at David Martin Place

For those beginning their recovery journey, our youth-specific withdrawal facility provides 24/7 medical support in a compassionate environment. This ensures that young people can detox safely while preparing for the next steps in their treatment journey.

  1. Aftercare Support

Recovery doesn’t end when treatment does. Our six-month aftercare program helps young people reintegrate into their communities with ongoing one-on-one support from youth workers. This includes assistance with re-engaging in education or finding meaningful employment opportunities.

Real Lives Transformed

In 2023 alone, 68% of young people who completed our residential programs were back in school or employed within six months—a testament to the effectiveness of the Triple Care Farm model of treatment. These outcomes reflect not only individual resilience but also the power of holistic support tailored specifically for youth.

Take James*, for example—a 20-year-old who came to Triple Care Farm after years of struggling with addiction and homelessness. Through the program’s vocational training component, James discovered his passion for carpentry. With ongoing support from his Aftercare worker, he secured an apprenticeship within three months of completing treatment. Today, James is thriving in his new role and working towards a brighter future.

(*Name changed for privacy.)

The Ripple Effect of Re-Engaging Youth

When young Australians reconnect with education or employment after treatment, the benefits extend far beyond individual success:

Every $1 invested in youth drug and alcohol treatment yields a $7 benefit to society through improved health outcomes, reduced crime rates, and increased productivity.

 

Australia’s regional and remote areas face unique challenges when it comes to alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, particularly among young people. Recent studies have highlighted significant differences between urban and rural areas, emphasising the need for tailored interventions and support systems that address the specific needs of rural youth.

Youth Alcohol Consumption in Rural Areas

While national trends show positive shifts in youth alcohol consumption, rural areas still face higher rates overall:

These higher consumption rates contribute to a greater health burden, with remote and very remote areas experiencing up to 2.7 times the burden of alcohol-related diseases compared to major cities.

Youth Drinking Patterns and Concerns

Recent data shows both encouraging trends and ongoing concerns:

Drug Use Patterns in Rural Communities

While overall drug use levels are similar across Australia, the types of substances used vary in rural areas. Cannabis, oxycodone, and fentanyl are more commonly used in regional and remote locations. Notably, there’s been an increase in demand for amphetamine treatment services in rural NSW, surpassing alcohol as the primary substance of concern among young people seeking help.

Barriers to Treatment for Rural Youth

Young people in rural and remote areas often face significant obstacles when seeking AOD treatment:

  1. Geographical isolation: Treatment centres can be hundreds of kilometres away, particularly challenging for youth with limited transport options.
  2. Limited specialised services: Youth-specific detox facilities and other specialised options are scarce in rural areas.
  3. Long wait times: Often extending to 3-4 months, which can be particularly discouraging for young people seeking immediate help.
  4. Privacy concerns: In small communities, fear of stigma can prevent youth from seeking local support

Addressing the Challenges

To address these challenges, several approaches are being implemented by various organisations across the country. Some examples include:

  1. Telehealth services: Providing vital mental health and addiction support remotely, offering increased access and privacy for young people.
  2. Youth-focused community initiatives: Expanding local educational programs and peer support networks to build resilience and awareness among rural youth.
  3. Culturally appropriate care: Investing in Aboriginal youth programs and building relationships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to improve service accessibility for young Indigenous Australians.
  4. Early intervention programs: Developing school-based and community programs that address the specific needs and risk factors of rural youth.

Supporting Young Australians

By implementing these solutions and continuing to innovate as a sector, we can collectively work towards addressing the gap in AOD treatment between urban and rural Australia, with a specific focus on supporting young people. The positive trends in delayed alcohol initiation and increased abstinence among youth provide hope, but ongoing efforts are crucial to ensure these trends continue and extend to all aspects of substance use.

Our mission is to help young Australians in crisis by enabling best practice models of treatment for youth drug and alcohol addiction – regardless of their location.  If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or drug issues, we encourage you to reach out for support.

Need help?

If you or a young person you know is struggling with alcohol or drug issues, remember that help is available. If you need mental health support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. More resources are available on our website: https://martinyouth.org.au/useful-resources/

References:

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, “National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023”

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, “Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs in Australia

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, “Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs in Australia

Source: National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), “Alcohol and Other Drug Use in Regional and Remote Australia”

Guerin and White, “ASSAD 2017 Statistics & Trends”.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, “National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023”

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, “National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023”

National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), “Alcohol and Other Drug Use in Regional and Remote Australia”

National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), “Alcohol and Other Drug Use in Regional and Remote Australia”

National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), “Alcohol and Other Drug Use in Regional and Remote Australia”

Country SA PHN, “Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services Activity Work Plan 2019-2022”.

Country SA PHN, “Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services Activity Work Plan 2019-2022”.

Turning Point, “Alcohol and Drug Statistics”.

The NSW Drug Summit concluded on December 5th after an extensive consultation process spanning regional forums in Griffith and Lismore, followed by two days in Sydney. The summit brought together healthcare providers, community leaders, people with lived experience, and policymakers to address drug-related challenges.

Regional Insights

Griffith Forum
The sessions revealed significant concerns about the inequitable rollout of the Early Drug Diversion Initiative, with participants praising Canberra’s fixed-site drug checking service as a revolutionary model.

Lismore Perspectives
Discussions centred on post-flood trauma’s connection to substance use, with local services highlighting the urgent need for dual diagnosis treatment facilities. Community leaders emphasized the compounding effects of housing crisis and mental health challenges.

Working Group Recommendations

Safety and Justice

Youth and Family Support

Health and Support Services

Cultural Safety Concerns

The Equity and Inclusion working group highlighted significant gaps in representation:

Government Response

The NSW Government announced on December 19th that it will implement a $1 million, 12-month pill testing trial at music festivals starting in early 2025. This service will:

This announcement follows interim advice from the Drug Summit chairs, with Health Minister Ryan Park emphasizing that while “there are no silver bullets,” the government is committed to following expert advice to keep young people safe.

This update, along with the previously announced regional funding packages, demonstrates concrete outcomes emerging from the Summit:

Mission Australia has released the results of its annual Youth Survey, the largest survey of young people in Australia. There were 17,480 respondents to the survey, aged 15-19 years.

This year, the biggest issue for young people by far was cost of living, with more than half of young people (56%) identifying this as the top national issue. This was followed by climate change and the environment; violence, safety and crime; and discrimination and equality.

Alcohol and other drugs

A majority of young people believed that alcohol (55%) and drugs (64%) are a problem in Australia.

Overall, 18% reported that alcohol was a problem for their family or friends and 13% reported that drugs were a problem for family or friends.

One respondent noted, “ the challenge of staying away from drugs and alcohol and trying not to be peer pressured.”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people identified alcohol and other drugs as the third-most important issue in Australia. 44% believed alcohol was a problem in their community, and 28% believed alcohol was a problem for their family and friends. This indicates that alcohol and drugs were viewed as a greater concern by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people than by the respondents as a whole.

The Youth Survey also asked young people where they accessed information about the risk of drugs and alcohol. Most said they accessed this information from teachers and schools (60%), via news or advertising (43%) and via social media (42%).

Knowing how young people are affected by alcohol and other drugs, and what they are seeing in their communities, is crucial to understanding how to best support them. The Youth Survey provides a valuable snapshot of what is important to young people, and the issues they are facing.

In December, six members of our Youth Advisory Group travelled to Triple Care Farm for an in-depth tour of the facilities and a day of workshops.

This was a rare chance for the Group to meet in person, as they live throughout Australia. Group members travelled from Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra to the Southern Highlands of NSW.

Program immersion

Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm Program Coordinator provided an intimate tour of the facilities, providing insights into the Farm’s comprehensive treatment approach, showcasing how young people are supported through:

“I have experience working in crisis mental health intervention and suicide intervention, and with these sorts of things it’s rarely a single-faceted issue; substance use often comes up,” reflects Group Chair Harry Waterworth. “There is a big culture of substance use in Australia, and I think it’s important that we get this right.”

Life-changing impact

Triple Care Farm’s proven track record demonstrates remarkable outcomes:

Peer-to-peer dialogue
The highlight of the visit was a candid conversation with current residents, who shared their personal recovery journeys and the program elements that proved most impactful in their transformation. For member Taeg Twist, these stories resonated deeply: “If things had turned out slightly different for me, if support systems weren’t as tight as they were, I could have easily fallen through the gaps. For me, it’s important that I go on to acknowledge that and create some change within that field.”

Looking forward

The day culminated in a dynamic workshop where Group members, each bringing distinct expertise and lived experience, collaborated on initiatives for the upcoming year. Their diverse perspectives and passionate exchange of ideas set a promising foundation for future advocacy work.

This visit marked a significant step in strengthening the connection between youth advocates and the vital work happening at Triple Care Farm, laying groundwork for even more impactful collaboration in 2025.You can find out more about the Youth Advisory Group here. 

Join our community

Subscribe to our newsletter for stories of impact, upcoming events, and ways to get involved.

Name(Required)
Privacy