Victorian Drug & Alcohol Prevention Council

About the Victorian Drug & Alcohol Prevention Council

Overview

The Victorian Drug and Alcohol Prevention Council (VDAPC) was established in December 2007 to provide expert advice to the Victorian Government on key areas of alcohol and drug prevention. It succeeds the Premier’s Drug Prevention Council (PDPC), which concluded its term in March 2007.

The Council’s first term of operation was from December 2007 to June 2010 - please refer to the 'Reports & publications' tab for the VDAPC's first term Work Plan

The Council’s second term commenced in July 2010.

The Council plays a key long term role in providing expert advice to government about preventing alcohol and drug abuse, commissions research on prevention issues, helps government to improve its prevention efforts and allow for a greater focus on high-level policy advice and strategic partnerships. The Council has a whole of government scope, and overall responsibility for the Council rests with the Minister for Mental Health, as coordinating Minister for alcohol and drugs.

Terms of reference

1. Provide advice on emerging trends in drug and alcohol use;
2. Provide advice on effective, evidence based prevention programs, drawing on research and best practice;
3. Advise government on where additional primary prevention efforts should be directed;
4. Provide advice on the development of policy, regulation and legislation as appropriate;
5. Inform and educate communities about risk and protective factors associated with drug and alcohol use; and
6. Develop partnerships with community organisations to develop effective drug and alcohol prevention responses.

Membership

No.	Name	Organisation
1	Professor Jon Currie Council Chair	Director, Addiction Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital
2	Mr Adrian Anderson	General Manager, Football Operations, AFL
3	Mr Abdiaziz Abdi Farah	Somali Community Representative
4	Mr Bernie Geary, OAM	Child Safety Commissioner
5	Ms Margaret Harding	Magistrate, Dandenong Magistrates Court (Drug Court)
6	Mr Todd Harper	CEO, VicHealth
7	Dr Shelly Mallett	General Manager Research & Service Development Hanover Welfare Services
8	Mr David Murray	CEO, Youth Substance Abuse Service
9	Professor Robin Room	Director, Centre for Alcohol Policy Research Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre
10	Wendy Steendam	Assistant Commissioner Eastern Region, Victoria Police
11	Mr Bill Stronach	Former CEO, Australian Drug Foundation
12	Ms Kerry Walker	CEO, Neighbourhood Justice Centre, Collingwood
13	Ms Carmel Guerra	CEO, Centre for Multicultural Youth
14	Ms Kerry Thompson	CEO, Wyndham City Council
15	Mr Troy Austin	Executive Officer North West Metropolitan Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee, Department of Justice
16	Mr John Rogerson	CEO, Australian Drug Foundation

Secretariat

The VDAPC Secretariat provides policy, planning and administrative support to the VDAPC and is responsible for the implementation of strategic direction and initiatives.

The Secretariat has responsibility for preparing all papers for Council discussion, facilitating input from other relevant parts of government, both internal and external to the Department of Health (DH), commissioning and monitoring research, establishing and maintaining external stakeholder relationships, and coordinating meetings and sub-groups.

The Secretariat comprises four staff who are employees of the DH and are located within the Policy, Planning & Strategy Branch, which is in the Mental Health, Drugs and Regions Division. The Secretariat is physically located on the 17th floor, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, and can be contacted by telephone: 9096 0378

Current Secretariat staff:

Estelle O'Callaghan	Manager
Diane Edwards	Senior Research Analyst
Colette Bacash	Senior Policy Analyst
Georgina McKenzie-McHarg	Office Coordinator