Chair of the Board – Dr Steve Allsop

WANADA is pleased to welcome Emeritus Professor Steve Allsop as our new Chair of the Board.

Steve has worked in the alcohol and other drug field for over 40 years and been involved in policy, prevention and treatment research, as well as professional development.

He is an Emeritus Professor at the National Drug Research Institute at Curtin University, where he served as Director from 2005-2016. He has previously worked as the A/Executive Director, Drug and Alcohol Office, Western Australia and the Director of the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Flinders University of South Australia.

His contribution to the field has been recognised with induction into the WA Alcohol and Other Drug Awards Honour Roll, the APSAD senior scientist award in 2015 and the National Alcohol and Other Drugs Honour Roll in 2017.

Among various Board roles, Steve is currently the Chair of the WA Alcohol and other Drug Advisory Board, a member of the UK Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, a member of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Board and a member of the Relationships Australia Board.

Steve previously served as Chair of the WANADA Board from 2018–2021. In 2024, he featured in WANADA’s 40th Year anniversary video, reflecting on the evolution of the alcohol and other drug sector in WA.

In his role as Chair, he will be responsible for ensuring the board is effective in its fiduciary duties, helping to steer our strategy, and to provide oversight and support to the CEO.

This appointment was made by the board and is for an initial term of two years, with the possibility of an additional two-year option.