Acknowledgement of Country
WANADA acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of this country and its waters. We wish to pay our respect to Elders past and present and extend this to all Aboriginal people seeing this message.
About WANADA
Established in 1984, the Western Australian Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (WANADA) is an independent, membership-driven not-for-profit organisation that takes a ‘whole-of-community’ approach to alcohol and other drug issues.
WANADA is governed by an elected Board comprising delegates drawn from our membership. WANADA employs a small paid staff and is funded by members and both state and federal governments.

Purpose
To lead a shared voice within the specialist alcohol and other drug service sector that drives and influences systemic change needed to achieve best community outcomes.
Vision
Reduced harms associated with alcohol and other drugs for all Western Australians through a sector-led approach
Values
- Engagement
- Respect
- Leadership
- Equity
Key Result Areas
- Advocacy and Influence: WANADA’s leadership is effective, influencing policy and sector development decisions.
- Sector Developments: WANADA leads quality and evidence-informed sector-wide development.
- Aboriginal Self-Determination: WANADA advocates for and enables the implementation of Aboriginal self-determination within the alcohol and other drug sector.
- Alcohol and Other Drug Stigma and Discrimination: WANADA leads a values-based systemic approach to reducing stigma and discrimination and enhancing empowerment.
- Strong Peak: WANADA is a sustainable peak body, both leading and responding to its members.
Funders
WANADA is funded by the Western Australian Mental Health Commission and the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. WANADA also receives additional project funding from the Mental Health Commission, the Western Australian Primary Health Alliance, and Lotterywest. WANADA is grateful for the continued support of our members.
The Western Australian Mental Health Commission funds WANADA’s core business, including: enhancing alcohol and other drug sector sustainability and viability; building capacity of the alcohol and other drug sector including promoting continuous improvement in organisations and service delivery; improving alcohol and other drug sector effectiveness; fostering collaboration; representation, policy development and advocacy; and coordination and information exchange within and between the alcohol and other drug sector and the WA Mental Health Commission.
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care funds WANADA’s Sector Capacity Building Project as a part of the National Treatment Activities Program. Activities include: maintaining linkages and partnerships across the alcohol and other drug and related sectors; identifying gaps in training and workforce issues and facilitating workforce development opportunities; supporting the sector with data collection and management processes; providing advice on improving governance and support; performing research and evaluation (where applicable and feasible); developing and disseminating targeted and relevant information and resources; supporting service improvement and continuous quality improvement in the sector; and sector representation and advocacy.
