Substance Misuse Limestone Coast (SMLC) is set to host its third Limestone Coast Alcohol and Other Drug Regional Summit on November 27, 2025, in Mount Gambier. This year’s summit will focus specifically on youth issues related to substance misuse, bringing together leaders, frontline workers, and key decision-makers from across the state to tackle these pressing challenges.
The event will feature an impressive lineup of guest speakers, including Shona Reid, the Guardian for Children and Young People in South Australia. Other notable speakers include Andrew Bruun, Chief Executive of the Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS), Mark Powell, Chief Executive of WRAD Health, and Youth AOD Worker Mark Cahill. Additionally, presentations will be delivered by Dr. Bianca Davidde from DASSA and Sam Raven from SANDAS. The summit will be welcomed by SMLC’s new Patron, Bill De Garis.
Focus on Service Gaps and Collaboration
A significant part of the agenda will involve updates on the management of two new Alcohol and Drug withdrawal beds at the Mount Gambier and Districts Hospital. This initiative was made possible through advocacy efforts by SMLC. SMLC Project Manager Sophie Bourchier emphasized that the summit also serves as a ‘thinktank’ for participants to discuss major service gaps in the region and explore ways services can collaborate more effectively.
“Our previous summits have demonstrated that focused discussions with the right people in the room can lead to effective solutions for some of the region’s most pressing alcohol and other drug (AOD) issues,” Bourchier stated. She expressed optimism about the potential outcomes, which are expected to inform SMLC’s future planning initiatives.
As the region’s primary health promotion, education, and advocacy organization, SMLC is committed to identifying opportunities and service gaps. The organization actively collaborates with local entities, funding bodies, and policymakers to secure necessary funding to address these needs.
Challenges in Funding and Collaboration
Feedback from delegates at the previous summit highlighted a critical lack of ongoing funding and collaboration as two major barriers impeding the effective integration of AOD and mental health services. The upcoming 2025 summit has received partial funding from the Mount Gambier City Council, reflecting the community’s commitment to addressing these issues.
The Limestone Coast Alcohol and Other Drug Regional Summit will take place at the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre, providing a platform for vital discussions and collaborations aimed at improving youth support and advocacy in the region. As the event approaches, the community looks forward to the insights and strategies that will emerge from this gathering of experts and advocates dedicated to combating substance misuse among young people.
