As Western Australia prepares for the COVID-19 coronavirus, WANADA and the alcohol and other drug sector is taking measures to reduce the impact on workers, services and the community. Our COVID-19 Response page will provide relevant information and updates. 

 Alcohol and other drug services have been identified as essential and will be maintained during the pandemic wherever possible.  

Alcohol and other Drug Support and Information

If you are in Western Australia and you need support or information in relation to alcohol and other drug-related issues, please contact the Alcohol and Drug Support Service on (08) 9442 5000 or 1800 198 024 (free for country callers). The service is free, confidential and available 24/7.

WANADA and the Alcohol and other Drug Sector Response to COVID-19

WANADA is working with services and government to inform a sector-specific response that will support both service users and staff during this time. In consultation with the sector, WANADA has developed Resources and Considerations for Alcohol and Other Drug Services: Risk Management and Response Planning for COVID-19 (as at 31 March 2020). More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Useful Resources

• document COVID-19 Capacity Self-Assessment Tool for the Alcohol and other Drug Sector (24 KB) - WANADA
• document Resources and Considerations for Alcohol and Other Drug Services: Risk Management and Response Planning for COVID-19 (as at 31 March 2020) (77 KB)  - WANADA
• COVID-19 Harm Reduction and General Information Flyers for Consumers - Peer Based Harm Reduction WA
• Coronavirus Information Fact Sheet for Consumers - Penington Institute
• COVID-19 - Information for people living with viral hepatitis - World Hepatitis Alliance
• COVID-19 Health Information Line - 1800 020 080 - for advice.
• Healthy WA - for more information about COVID-19 and WA clinics.
• COVID-19 Clinics are operating at Royal Perth Hospital, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Fiona Stanley Hospital, 8am-8pm, as well as Bunbury Health Campus (10am-4pm) seven days a week. New COVID testing clinics are being opened: Armadale (23 March); Rockingham (24 March); Midland and Joondalup (25 March). Additional clinics are planned for Albany and Geraldton.
• Western Australian Government Pandemic Plan
• Coronavirus Health Alert - Australian Government Department of Health
• NACCHO – National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates and information
• Rolling updates on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - World Health Organization (WHO)
• Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus - Beyond Blue
• Remote Aboriginal Communities Directions - Western Australian Government
• 1800RESPECT - it’s critical during periods of social distancing that those impacted by domestic and family violence know that support is available.

Grants, Funding and Support for Communities

• Lotterywest COVID-19 Relief Fund
• BHP establishes $50 million (AUD) Vital Resources Fund to help support regional communities

Sector Updates

•   pdf WANADA Update - 27 March 2020 (163 KB)
• Holyoake - Looking out for each other during COVID-19
• 3rd Australasian FASD Conference - 11-12 November 2020, Sydney. Cancelled.
• MHC Alcohol and Other Drug Crisis Intervention Response Community Forums - Cockburn Central (Wednesday 25 March 2020) and Joondalup (Thursday 2 April 2020) - cancelled. Tuna Blue, on behalf of the Mental Health Commission, is exploring other ways to consult. Tuna Blue encourages interested stakeholders to please complete the Alcohol and other Drug Crisis Intervention Response Survey.
• NDRI Seminar: Drug trends in WA – Findings from the 2019 IDRS and EDRS - Thursday 26 March 2020, 11am - 12pm -the seminar will take place without an audience. A video of the presentation will be available from NDRI on Youtube.
• NDRI Public Seminar Program - events have been suspended until further notice. Visit NDRI Events for details.
• Next Step Addiction Medicine Symposium - 19 March 2020, Royal Perth Hospital. Postponed to later in the year.
• Access Plus WA Deaf - where possible staff members are working from home. Interpreting services continue - please be patient and considerate - if you are feeling unwell, please book for another time. Access Plus WA Deaf is one of the services that alcohol and other drug services can access through WANADA's Interpreter Access Program.
• WACOSS Conference 2020 - Finding Ground - 26-28 October 2020, Esplanade Hotel Fremantle - rescheduled from May to this new date in October 2020.
• Preventive Health Conference 2020 - PREVENTION: effective action in a volatile world - 13-15 May 2020, Perth - cancelled.
• NADA Conference 2020: Enhancing connections - 4–5 June 2020, Sydney. Postponed - updates soon. Thank you for your interest and support.

WA Government Announcements and Resources

• document Organisation Template Letter for Intrastate Travel (28 KB) - Communities Partnership Team
• pdf Community Sector Partnerships Info #1 (144 KB) - Department of Communities
• pdf Communities Sector Partnerships Relationships Map (57 KB) - Department of Communities
• Changes to government school learning from Monday - Media Statement, 26 March 2020
• Access restricted to protect people living in the Kimberley and remote Aboriginal communities - Media Statement, 26 March 2020
• COVID-19 response: Temporary changes to takeaway alcohol - Premier Mark McGowan, Media Statement, 25 March 2020
• WA Government Funding and Contracting Services Unit (FaCS) March 2020 Special Edition Bulletin - 23 March 2020
• Department of Communities - Joint message on COVID-19 - 20 March 2020
• COVID-19 information for Mental Health Commission service providers - 17 March 2020

WANADA Operations and Contact Information

WANADA staff will work from home where possible to minimise the risk of COVID-19 infection in the community. The staff continues to support the alcohol and other drug sector.

For more information about how the Western Australian alcohol and other drug sector is responding to the COVID-19 coronavirus, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or please call our new office mobile 0480 257 499 (our landline number (08) 6557 9400 will re-direct).

Photo by CDC on Unsplash