Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ANACAD)

Role

The Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ANACAD):

• reports directly to the minister responsible for drugs and alcohol policy within the Health portfolio
• provides confidential advice to the minister on current and emerging drug and alcohol issues

The Terms of Reference state that ANACAD will:

1. Report to the Australian Government through the portfolio Minister with policy responsibility for alcohol and other drug (AOD) policy issues (‘the Minister’);
2. ANACAD has the ability to raise AOD issues with other ministers whose policy responsibility intersects or overlaps AOD policy. The Minister with policy responsibility for AOD must be copied into all correspondence;
3. Support the Australian Government by providing confidential, strategic, evidence-based advice on:
   
   1. AOD use and related problems; 
   2. Identified priorities on policy, related regulation, prevention, demand reduction, supply reduction and control, harm reduction and treatment of national importance;
   3. ANACAD to work collaboratively with the Department of Health in order to provide expertise in regards to complex AOD policy development.
   4. AOD issues among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations; and,
   5. Respond to requests from the Minister as required.
4. Advise on and support all relevant strategies and frameworks that provide short-term demonstrable gains, and longer-term strategic implications on AOD policy and program work;
5. Advise on and support the Australian Government’s activities in relation to the National Drug Strategy 2017-2026, the National Preventive Health Strategy and accompanying national frameworks;
6. Provide advice on AOD policy and regulation, prevention, demand reduction, supply reduction and control, harm reduction, treatment and workforce activities, including activities to be progressed through the National Drugs Campaign;
7. Provide an annual report to the Minister; and,
8. Engage as appropriate with key experts such as community and family members, people with lived experience, law enforcement and treatment personnel, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander expertise.

Communiques

Summary of activities

Commissioned reports

University of Sydney's Matilda Centre

The University of Sydney's Matilda Centre have published a series of resources for the public about substance use and dependence. ANACAD commissioned the following reports:

• Universal primary prevention of alcohol and drug use and related harms: An overview of reviews
• Community impact on liquor licensing decisions: Barriers and recommendations

National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)

The National Drug & Alcohol Research (NDARC) Centre at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have released the following report commissioned by ANACAD:

• Viability of an Early Warning System (ViEWS) Study: Final Report

For Purpose

For Purpose have released the following report commissioned by ANACAD:

• The depth and breadth of sponsorship by the alcohol industry in Australian sport

Monash University

Monash University have released the following report commissioned by ANACAD:

• Report on the extent, nature and consequences of children and young people’s exposure to alcohol advertising and sponsorship

Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development (SEED)

SEED at Deakin University has released the following report commissioned by ANACAD:

• A review of alcohol and drug education and early intervention programs in Australian Government schools