Fewer People Are Getting Alcohol and Drug Treatment in Australia. Here’s Why That Should Worry Us
New national data shows the number of Australians accessing alcohol and other drug treatment has fallen. For young people, the figures reveal both a warning sign and a clear opportunity for earlier support.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has released its Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia annual report 2024–25, the most comprehensive national picture we have of who is accessing publicly funded alcohol and other drug (AOD) support, and who isn’t.
On the surface, the numbers look steady. Treatment agencies delivered around 244,400 treatment episodes to an estimated 127,800 people aged 10 and over in 2024-25. But look a little closer and a more concerning trend emerges: since 2019-20, the number of people accessing treatment has dropped by 8.2 per cent, falling from 139,295 to 127,804, with treatment rates falling from 623 to 527 per 100,000 people. Fewer people are walking through the door, even as the need for youth alcohol and other drug treatment remains urgent.
At Sir David Martin Foundation, this data matters to us directly. The programs we fund through our service partner Mission Australia, including Triple Care Farm and Youth Network aftercare, exist to make sure young people don’t fall through the gaps this report is starting to reveal.
What young people are actually presenting with
The report confirms something we see reflected in the young people supported through the programs we fund: substance use patterns shift significantly with age, and the drug of concern for a 15-year-old looks very different to that of a 45-year-old.
Cannabis was by far the most common principal drug of concern for the youngest clients, accounting for 53 per cent of treatment episodes for those aged 10–19 and 24 per cent of episodes for those aged 20-29. Methamphetamine was the standout concern for those aged 30-39, at 32 per cent of episodes. Alcohol, by contrast, only overtakes these as the dominant concern from age 40 onward, accounting for 45 per cent of episodes for people aged 40–49, rising to 75 per cent for those aged 60 and over.
Of the 117,132 people who received treatment for their own alcohol or drug use in 2024-25, 7.7 per cent (9,009 people) were aged 10-19. Among clients accessing treatment for the very first time, 14 per cent were in this same age bracket, a reminder that adolescence is often when substance use first surfaces and when early intervention can have the greatest impact.
Young people need a different kind of care
One of the more telling findings is how differently young clients are treated once they do reach a service. Across most age groups, counselling was followed by assessment only as the two most common treatment types. But for clients aged 10-19, the pattern was different: counselling (42 per cent) was followed by support and case management (29 per cent), rather than a standalone assessment.
Older clients (those aged 40 and over) were also more likely to receive withdrawal management, at 7.8 to 9.8 per cent of episodes, compared with just 3.5 per cent for clients aged 10-19. This may mean that young people are less likely to need clinical detoxification, or it could mean that there are not enough youth-specific withdrawal services available to access. David Martin Place was the first and remains the only youth-specific withdrawal centre in NSW.
What we do know is that young people benefit from wraparound, relationship-based support that helps them navigate school, family and identity alongside substance use. It’s exactly the model of care that underpins the youth-specific programs we fund, where treatment is never just about the substance itself.
The system is growing, but access still isn’t equal
There is genuine good news held in this report. Over the ten years to 2024-25, the number of publicly funded AOD agencies across Australia grew by 66 per cent, from 791 to 1,316. That’s a substantial national investment in treatment capacity.
But more than half of those agencies (55 per cent) are located in major cities, leaving young people in regional and remote communities with far fewer local options. For a young person in a rural town already facing stigma and long waitlists, “more services nationally” can still mean “no services nearby.”
There is also a quieter warning in the referral data. Diversion into treatment, where police, courts or other services connect someone with support rather than punishment, has fallen sharply, from 17 per cent of referrals in 2015-16 to just 7.2 to 8.0 per cent in 2024-25. Diversion pathways are one of the clearest opportunities for early intervention, particularly for young people whose substance use is only just beginning. A declining diversion rate suggests fewer young people are being caught by that safety net before things escalate.
Reasons for hope
It isn’t all difficult news. Among clients who did access treatment, 59 per cent of episodes ended in an expected or planned completion in 2024-25, a figure that has stayed remarkably stable since 2015-16. The median length of treatment was four weeks for people receiving support for their own alcohol or drug use, and self or family referral remains the single most common way people find their way into care.
That last point matters enormously for families. It confirms that parents, siblings and loved ones are still the most powerful bridge between a young person and the help they need. Families don’t need to wait for a crisis or a court order to reach out. Often, they’re the ones who notice first.
What this means for young Australians, families and our work
Read together, these findings paint a clear picture. Young people present differently, need different care, and are being reached through diversion less often than they were a decade ago, all while overall treatment numbers decline. That’s not a reason to lose hope. It’s a reason to invest in the pathways that work: family-led referral, relationship-based case management (like aftercare workers in our Youth Network), and youth-specific programs that meet young people where they are, before their substance use becomes entrenched.
This is precisely the gap the programs we fund are designed to close. Triple Care Farm supports young people aged 16 to 24 through withdrawal, rehabilitation and aftercare in a setting built around connection rather than clinical detox. Youth Network aftercare extends that support in four locations nationally into the community once formal treatment ends, because recovery doesn’t stop when someone walks out the door.
The AIHW’s data is a call to action, not a statistic to file away. Every percentage point in this report represents a young person, and often a family, navigating one of the hardest chapters of their life. The earlier we reach them, the better their chances.
If you’d like to help more young Australians access the early support they need, donate to Sir David Martin Foundation or learn more about the programs we fund.
Sources
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2026). Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia annual report 2024–25. Canberra: AIHW.
Businesses can play an important role in creating better opportunities for young people facing drug and alcohol challenges. Through workplace giving, fundraising and long-term corporate charity partnerships, organisations can turn shared values into practical support for youth-specific treatment and recovery programs.
By partnering with Sir David Martin Foundation, businesses can help strengthen best-practice models of care while giving employees meaningful ways to contribute to a cause that delivers lasting community impact.
How Do Corporate Charity Partnerships Support Young People in Crisis?
Corporate charity partnerships enable businesses to support important community causes through workplace giving, fundraising and employee engagement initiatives. By partnering with organisations such as Sir David Martin Foundation, businesses can help fund youth rehabilitation programs, support young people experiencing drug and alcohol challenges and create meaningful social impact while engaging their workforce.
There is no single model that suits every workplace. Some organisations introduce payroll giving, while others hold fundraising events, match employee donations or build a longer-term partnership. The most effective approach is realistic, clearly communicated and aligned with the values of both partners.
What Are Corporate Charity Partnerships?
Corporate charity partnerships are relationships between businesses and charitable organisations working towards shared social impact goals. They may include donations, workplace fundraising, employee giving, matched contributions, sponsorship or other agreed support.
For Sir David Martin Foundation, these partnerships help advance its commitment to providing safety, hope and opportunity for vulnerable young people. Through corporate partnerships, businesses can help support young Australians experiencing drug and alcohol addiction through youth-specific treatment and recovery programs.
The Sir David Martin Foundation corporate partnerships program provides a starting point for organisations considering workplace giving, fundraising or longer-term involvement.
Why Businesses Choose Workplace Giving
A workplace giving program allows employees to make regular donations directly from their pre-tax salary. This means employees can receive the tax benefit immediately, rather than waiting until the end of the financial year.
It is also one of the simplest and most efficient ways for a business to begin a Corporate Social Responsibility program. Employees can nominate an amount that suits them, while their combined contributions provide ongoing support for the chosen cause.
Participation should remain voluntary and transparent. Employees should understand how the process works, where their donations are going and how they can change or stop their contribution.
Practical Ways Your Workplace Can Get Involved
Corporate support can be adapted to suit the size, capacity and culture of the organisation.
- Payroll giving: Employees contribute a regular amount from their pre-tax salary.
- Matched giving: The business matches eligible employee donations up to an agreed limit.
- Corporate donations: The organisation makes a one-off or recurring contribution.
- Office fundraising: Employees organise a shared activity to raise funds and awareness.
- Fundraising pages: Teams create a dedicated page to collect donations and track their progress.
- Professional or in-kind support: Businesses may contribute relevant expertise, services or resources where these meet an identified need and are agreed with Sir David Martin Foundation.
Looking for a meaningful way to give back? Explore how your workplace can support Sir David Martin Foundation through workplace giving, fundraising or a corporate charity partnership.
Fundraising Ideas for Businesses
A workplace fundraiser does not need to be elaborate. Activities often work best when they are easy to organise, inclusive and suited to the team.
Practical ideas include:
- Charity morning tea: Invite employees to bring food and make a voluntary donation.
- Casual dress day: Ask participating staff to contribute a small amount.
- Workplace BBQ or lunch: Collect donations or sell tickets for a shared meal.
- Friday social: Turn a regular team gathering into a fundraising opportunity.
- Step or fitness challenge: Collect sponsorship while working towards a shared goal.
- Workplace auction: Invite employees or local businesses to donate suitable items or experiences.
- Social club raffle: Hold a raffle where permitted and in line with relevant legal requirements.
- EOFY campaign: Encourage donations during a set period, with matched giving where possible.
- Payroll giving campaign: Explain regular giving internally and invite voluntary participation.
Fundraising can also extend beyond the office. Employees may celebrate a birthday or anniversary by requesting donations, raise money in memory of a loved one, take on a physical challenge, give up a favourite treat for a month or create their own activity.
Workplaces can start their own fundraiser to make donations easier to collect and track.
Sir David Martin Foundation also has fundraising tips and resources available to help make activities enjoyable, manageable and successful. Its fundraising team can help supporters choose an idea, establish a goal and plan the activity.
How Corporate Support Helps Triple Care Farm
Sir David Martin Foundation is the major philanthropic funder of Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm, a youth-specific addiction treatment centre for young Australians aged 16 to 24.
Triple Care Farm provides connected support across withdrawal, residential rehabilitation and aftercare. Young people may receive clinical and psychosocial treatment, counselling, education, vocational training, living-skills support, sport and recreation, followed by assistance as they return to the community.
Corporate donations, workplace giving, and fundraising contribute to the broader funding that helps make this model possible. They should not be understood as funding one guaranteed service or outcome. Instead, they contribute to sustainable support across treatment, recovery and aftercare.
Benefits of a Long-Term Corporate Charity Partnership
One-off fundraising is valuable, but a longer partnership creates continuity. Regular support helps charities plan more confidently and gives employees different ways to participate.
A business might combine payroll giving with an annual event, matched donations or internal awareness activities. Over time, employees can better understand the cause and remain connected to the purpose behind the partnership.
This creates a more authentic approach to Corporate Social Responsibility. The focus is not simply on holding an event, but on building a practical relationship with an organisation whose work aligns with the company’s values.
Why Partner with Sir David Martin Foundation?
Since 1990, Sir David Martin Foundation has supported vulnerable young Australians affected by drug and alcohol addiction. As the major philanthropic funder of Triple Care Farm, it helps enable youth-specific treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare that provide safety, hope and opportunity.
This approach recognises that young people have different developmental needs, circumstances and recovery goals from adults, which is why youth-specific addiction treatment matters in recovery.
Businesses of all sizes can contribute. A smaller organisation may begin with an office fundraiser or workplace giving program, while a larger business may choose matched donations, a multi-year partnership or a broader employee engagement initiative.
Getting Started with Workplace Giving and Fundraising
A simple corporate giving plan can begin with six steps:
- Choose a charity partner aligned with your organisation’s values.
- Select an approach such as workplace giving, fundraising or a longer-term partnership.
- Set a realistic goal for donations, fundraising or employee participation.
- Explain the opportunity clearly and keep participation voluntary.
- Use the charity’s resources to support and promote the activity.
- Review the partnership and identify ways to develop it over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are corporate charity partnerships?
Corporate charity partnerships are structured relationships in which businesses support charitable organisations through donations, fundraising, employee engagement, sponsorship or other agreed activities.
How does workplace giving work?
Employees nominate a regular donation that is processed from their pre-tax salary. They receive the associated tax benefit immediately through payroll rather than waiting until the end of the financial year.
Can small businesses participate?
Yes. A small business can begin with a morning tea, office fundraiser, one-off donation or workplace giving program suited to the size of its team.
What types of workplace fundraising are most effective?
Activities that are simple, inclusive and easy to promote usually work best. These may include morning teas, casual dress days, BBQ lunches, fitness challenges, Friday socials, auctions or raffles where permitted.
Can employees fundraise outside the workplace?
Yes. Employees can celebrate a special occasion, take on a physical challenge, fundraise in memory of someone, give something up for a month or develop their own fundraising activity.
How can our business partner with Sir David Martin Foundation?
Businesses can explore workplace giving, fundraising and longer-term partnership opportunities through the corporate partnerships page.
Help Create Safety, Hope and Opportunity
Every workplace has the potential to make a meaningful difference. Whether through payroll giving, an office fundraiser, a physical challenge or a long-term corporate charity partnership, your organisation can help support best-practice treatment for young people in crisis.
To discuss how your business can get involved, contact Philanthropy Manager Jenny Leahy at [email protected] or call (02) 9538 0916.
When a young person is experiencing drug and alcohol dependency, treatment needs to reflect their age, circumstances and goals. Triple Care Farm provides an integrated pathway through withdrawal, residential rehabilitation and aftercare, rather than treating detox as the end of the process.
Operated by Mission Australia and supported by Sir David Martin Foundation as its major philanthropic funder, the program combines clinical care, counselling, education, practical skills and ongoing community support for young Australians aged 16–24.
What is Triple Care Farm?
Triple Care Farm is a youth-specific drug and alcohol treatment program for Australians aged 16–24 experiencing drug and alcohol dependency. It combines medically supported withdrawal, a 12-week residential rehabilitation program and up to six months of aftercare, helping young people address addiction, strengthen their wellbeing and develop skills for a healthier, more independent future.
The program provides a safe residential setting where young people can receive clinical and psychosocial care while working towards goals related to their health, relationships, education, employment and independent living. Support is tailored to each participant rather than following a single approach for everyone.
Young people who come to Triple Care Farm may also live with mental health challenges or the effects of trauma. The program recognises that recovery involves more than addressing substance use alone, so support may include medical care, counselling, case management, education, recreation and practical life skills tailored to each young person.
Who can benefit from Triple Care Farm?
Triple Care Farm is intended for young people aged 16–24 who are experiencing drug and alcohol dependency and can participate in the program. Applicants must be Australian residents or currently living in Australia, and they must complete the program before turning 25.
Participation is voluntary. A parent, carer, support worker or healthcare professional may help with a referral, but the young person must know about the application, agree to it and demonstrate commitment during assessment.
Where mental health challenges are also present, these can be considered as part of the young person’s individual treatment and support plan.
Admission is not automatic. Eligible applicants complete an interview and assessment, and approved applicants may need to wait until a suitable place becomes available.
How does Triple Care Farm support recovery?
The Triple Care Farm program brings three connected stages together. A young person may enter through withdrawal or rehabilitation, while aftercare helps maintain continuity when they return to the community.
Withdrawal in a safe clinical setting
David Martin Place is Triple Care Farm’s youth-specific withdrawal facility. It provides up to 10 days of residential care with 24/7 medical support, helping young people withdraw from alcohol or other drugs safely.
Support can include medical care, counselling, case management, family support, education activities, sport and recreation, and nicotine replacement therapy when appropriate. Clinical oversight allows immediate withdrawal needs to be considered alongside the young person’s wider circumstances.
A young person may then move into Residential Rehabilitation or return to the community with Aftercare support, depending on their assessment and goals.
Residential rehabilitation for 12 weeks
The Residential Rehabilitation Program provides 12 weeks of structured youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Young people receive one-to-one counselling and group therapy, supported by counsellors, psychologists, case managers and other program staff.
Treatment is combined with practical daily experiences. Participants may work on cooking, cleaning, budgeting, hygiene, communication and positive relationships. They can also take part in vocational education and training, employment preparation, creative activities, sport and recreation.
Plans are tailored to individual needs and goals. These may include rebuilding health, improving family relationships, returning to study, preparing for employment or developing greater independence.
Aftercare for up to six months
The transition out of residential treatment can bring new pressures. Young people may return to familiar triggers, unstable housing, difficult relationships or uncertainty around education and work.
The Aftercare Program provides up to six months of wraparound support after withdrawal and/or rehabilitation. A dedicated Aftercare Worker offers mentoring and practical assistance as the young person applies what they have learned in everyday life.
Support may include reconnecting with healthcare, finding stable housing, attending appointments, returning to education, exploring employment and maintaining personal goals.
If you or someone you know is considering treatment, explore the Triple Care Farm program and its application requirements to understand which pathway may be suitable.
Why is a holistic approach important?
Stopping or reducing substance use is only one part of recovery. A young person may also need help with trauma, anxiety, depression, disrupted education, housing insecurity, family conflict or limited experience of independent living.
A holistic youth rehabilitation program considers how these areas interact. Clinical and therapeutic care can help a young person understand substance use, triggers and coping strategies. Education and vocational training can create realistic next steps. Living skills and structured routines can make returning to the community more manageable.
Understanding why youth-specific addiction treatment matters in recovery helps show why care should address substance use alongside mental health, trauma and a young person’s wider circumstances.
Individualised care also allows staff to respond to each young person’s circumstances and goals. After completing the program, Kyle* chose to move away from the environment and influences connected to his substance use. With support from his Aftercare Worker, he secured stable accommodation, connected with community health services and returned to work in his trade.
His experience reflects the role of Aftercare in helping young people turn the progress made during rehabilitation into meaningful changes in housing, employment, health and daily life.
*Name changed to protect privacy.
Skills young people can develop
Depending on their needs and goals, participants may develop skills in:
- Recognising triggers and using healthier coping strategies
- Communicating and building positive relationships
- Creating routines that support physical and mental wellbeing
- Cooking, cleaning, budgeting and personal care
- Participating in education or vocational training
- Preparing for employment and further study
- Navigating appointments, housing and community services
- Setting realistic goals and asking for help
These capabilities can support greater independence, but progress is personal and recovery does not follow the same timeline for everyone.
What makes Triple Care Farm different?
Triple Care Farm combines youth-specific clinical care with psychosocial support, education, living skills and ongoing aftercare. Its Residential Rehabilitation Program is accredited by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards, and the model connects immediate treatment with community reintegration.
Mission Australia’s 2024 evaluations of Triple Care Farm recorded positive outcomes across substance use, wellbeing, housing, education and employment:
- 100% reduction in chronic substance use
- 70% reduction in suicide attempts
- 73% in secure and stable housing
- 69% engaged in employment
- 53% engaged in education
These results reflect the young people included in the evaluations and do not predict an individual participant’s experience. Recovery is influenced by personal circumstances, engagement and access to continuing care.
How to access Triple Care Farm
A young person can apply for themselves, or an application can be submitted with help from a family member, guardian or professional. Referrals are accepted from across Australia.
The process begins by checking eligibility and completing the application form. Professional referrers may also need to submit a risk assessment and relevant reports. After the forms have been submitted, the young person must contact the Triple Care Farm Intake Coordinator to continue the application process.
Potentially eligible applicants are invited to a video interview. The application is then reviewed by an assessment committee. If approved, the young person joins the waiting list until a place becomes available.
Current fees and arrangements for young people under government care are provided during the application process and can be discussed with the Intake Team.
The Triple Care Farm application page provides current forms and eligibility details. General enquiries can be directed through Sir David Martin Foundation’s contact page.
Stories from young people who have attended Triple Care Farm offer further insight into the different paths recovery can take.
Frequently asked questions
What is Triple Care Farm?
Triple Care Farm is a Mission Australia youth drug and alcohol treatment service supported by Sir David Martin Foundation as its major philanthropic funder. It offers withdrawal, 12-week residential rehabilitation and up to six months of aftercare.
Who is eligible for Triple Care Farm?
Applicants must generally be aged 16–24, be experiencing problematic drug or alcohol use, be able to participate, demonstrate voluntary commitment and be an Australian resident or currently living in Australia. Eligibility is confirmed through assessment.
How long does the program last?
The Withdrawal Program provides up to 10 days of care. Residential Rehabilitation runs for 12 weeks. Aftercare may continue for up to six months.
What support is available after rehabilitation?
A dedicated Aftercare Worker can provide mentoring and practical assistance with health, housing, education, employment, relationships and personal goals.
Is Triple Care Farm only for drug addiction?
No. The program supports young people experiencing problematic alcohol or other drug use and can also respond to mental health challenges that may be affecting their recovery.
How can someone apply?
Review the Triple Care Farm application process, complete the relevant forms and contact the Intake Coordinator after submission.
Meeting the basic criteria does not guarantee admission, as applications are assessed individually and places depend on availability.
Building a healthier future with the right support
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but young people should not have to navigate it alone. Triple Care Farm connects clinical treatment with counselling, education, practical skills and continuing support, giving participants time and space to work towards goals that matter to them.
Explore Triple Care Farm, review the application process or support Sir David Martin Foundation’s work helping young Australians access youth-specific addiction treatment and aftercare.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as nangs or laughing gas, has legitimate uses in medicine, food production and industry. However, concern has grown about recreational misuse, particularly the availability of large cylinders and the risks linked with repeated or heavy use.
From November 2026, NSW will tighten controls on who can buy nitrous oxide, retail sales volumes, supply times, delivery and product displays. The aim is to reduce easy recreational access while improving awareness and access to support.
Why is NSW Tightening Nangs Laws?
NSW is tightening laws around the sale of nitrous oxide (“nangs”) to help reduce misuse, particularly among young people. The changes aim to limit recreational access while encouraging greater awareness of the health risks and the importance of accessing youth drug and alcohol resources in Australia for education, prevention and support.
The NSW Government’s official announcement says the growing availability of large cylinders has enabled heavier use and contributed to serious neurological injuries, including spinal cord damage. The reforms will restrict retail volume, prohibit supply to people under 18 and reduce the rapid and late-night access that can make nangs easy to obtain recreationally.
Legislation alone cannot address every reason a young person may use a substance. Prevention also requires accurate drug education, non-judgemental conversations and accessible support. The Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s review of nitrous oxide harm reduction recommends providing young people with clear, evidence-based information about nitrous oxide, alongside accessible pathways to support.
What are Nangs?
Nangs are small bulbs or larger canisters containing nitrous oxide, a colourless gas used for sedation and pain relief. It is also used as a propellant in whipped cream dispensers and for some industrial purposes.
When misused recreationally, nitrous oxide is inhaled for brief effects that may include euphoria, light-headedness, numbness, confusion and reduced coordination. Because the effects generally last only a few minutes, some people may use it repeatedly.
The product’s legal commercial uses and familiar packaging can create the impression that it is harmless. Legal availability, however, does not mean recreational use is risk-free. The Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s nitrous oxide facts explain that serious acute and long-term harms can occur, particularly with frequent or high-volume use.
What Exactly is Changing in NSW?
The new requirements are due to begin in November 2026 under the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2026.
The reforms will:
- prohibit retail supply to anyone under 18
- limit small bulbs containing 8 to 10 grams to 250 grams in a single transaction
- ban retail sales of canisters or cylinders containing more than 10 grams
- prohibit same-day delivery and supply
- restrict sales before 5am and after 10pm
- prevent products being visibly displayed to customers.
Maximum penalties will be $2,200 for individuals and $11,000 for corporations per offence. Exemptions will remain for legitimate food and beverage, therapeutic, industrial and commercial uses.
What are the Health Risks of Nitrous Oxide Misuse?
Risk varies according to the amount and frequency of use, a person’s health and whether alcohol or other drugs are involved. Serious harm is more commonly associated with frequent, repeated or high-volume use, although acute injuries can also occur.
Short-term effects can include dizziness, confusion, impaired coordination and fainting. These may increase the chance of falls and other accidents. Insufficient oxygen can cause hypoxia, while the extremely cold gas can cause frostbite or cold burns. NSW Health also identifies lung injuries, cardiac abnormalities and asphyxiation among the potential harms.
Repeated use can interfere with the body’s ability to use vitamin B12, which is essential for healthy nerve function. This can contribute to numbness, weakness, difficulty walking and damage to the brain, nerves or spinal cord. A 2026 adolescent case series and systematic literature review also highlighted neurological damage associated with chronic misuse in young people.
Regular use may also be associated with psychological dependence, depression and, in some cases, psychosis. Separately, physical symptoms such as persistent tingling or numbness, weakness, difficulty walking, confusion, loss of consciousness, chest pain or breathing problems require prompt medical attention.
The NSW Health nitrous oxide fact sheet also warns that taking a B12 supplement does not prevent harm and should not replace medical assessment. Anyone experiencing concerning symptoms should seek medical advice promptly. In an emergency, call 000.
What Do the New Laws Mean for Young People?
The immediate change is reduced retail access, especially for people under 18. The broader message is that a legal or familiar product can still cause harm when used in a way it was not designed for.
Young people need information that is accurate enough to support informed decisions without shame or scare tactics. Parents, carers, schools and youth workers can help by explaining why the laws are changing, checking information against reputable sources and making it clear that asking for help will be met with support.
Concerns may arise when use becomes more frequent, involves larger quantities or continues despite physical, emotional, school, work or relationship problems.
Why Early Intervention Matters
Early intervention does not mean assuming that one episode of substance use is an addiction. It means responding when concerns first appear, before related problems become more serious.
A useful first step is a calm conversation. Choose a private time, describe what you have noticed and ask open questions. Listening without judgement can make it easier for a young person to speak honestly about what is happening and what support they may accept.
Professional help can then be matched to the young person’s needs, including a GP, counsellor, youth mental health service, community alcohol and other drug service or residential program.
If you are looking for trusted youth drug and alcohol resources in Australia, explore Sir David Martin Foundation’s support information and youth programs. Early support can create more options and help prevent concerns from escalating.
Where Can Young People Find Drug and Alcohol Support?
Sir David Martin Foundation’s Find Help directory brings together national and state alcohol and drug services, youth mental health support, family services and crisis contacts.
The National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline provides free, confidential support on 1800 250 015. Young people can also contact headspace for mental health and alcohol and other drug support. Families concerned about a loved one’s substance use can contact Family Drug Support.
For Australians aged 16 to 24 experiencing problematic substance use, Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm provides youth-specific withdrawal, residential rehabilitation and aftercare. Sir David Martin Foundation is a major funder of Triple Care Farm, which combines medical and psychosocial support, counselling, education, living skills and assistance with returning to the community. These integrated services demonstrate why youth-specific addiction treatment matters in recovery, particularly when substance use intersects with mental health, education, housing or family challenges.
The Youth Network expands six months of aftercare across several youth residential services, helping young people reconnect with family, healthcare, education, employment and stable community supports.
How Families and Communities Can Help
Support begins with the way adults respond. Families can learn the facts, discuss risk without moralising, ask about the young person’s wellbeing and encourage professional help when concerns arise.
Schools and community organisations can provide age-appropriate education, recognise warning signs and maintain clear referral pathways. They can reduce stigma by treating substance use as a health and wellbeing concern.
Building a Safer Future for Young Australians
The NSW nangs laws are designed to reduce easy access and limit conditions that enable high-volume recreational use. They will not remove every risk or replace education, prevention and treatment.
A stronger response brings these elements together. Young people need clear facts, trusted adults, accessible healthcare and youth-specific services that recognise the wider circumstances influencing substance use.
Sir David Martin Foundation supports best-practice youth recovery initiatives, including Triple Care Farm and Youth Network, to give young people safety, hope and opportunity. Every young person deserves the right support at the right time. Learn more about the Foundation, apply for Triple Care Farm or support its work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are nangs?
Nangs are bulbs or canisters containing nitrous oxide. The gas has legitimate medical, food and industrial uses but is also sometimes inhaled recreationally for a brief high.
Why is NSW changing its nangs laws?
NSW is introducing tighter controls to reduce inappropriate retail access, particularly among young people, and respond to health concerns linked with repeated and high-volume misuse.
When do the new NSW nangs laws begin?
NSW Health says the new restrictions will begin in November 2026.
Are nangs dangerous for young people?
Not everyone who uses nitrous oxide experiences serious harm, but misuse can cause acute injuries and repeated use can contribute to vitamin B12 disruption, nerve damage and spinal cord injury.
What signs may suggest a young person needs help?
Signs may include more frequent use, cravings, increased spending, changes in mood or behaviour, declining participation in school or work, physical symptoms and continued use despite negative consequences.
What youth drug and alcohol resources are available in Australia?
Support includes GPs, community alcohol and other drug services, counselling, youth mental health services, family support, withdrawal programs, residential rehabilitation and aftercare. The Foundation’s Find Help directory links to national and state services.