In Victoria, Australia, a significant crisis has emerged in the drug rehabilitation system, as thousands await treatment for substance abuse. According to the latest data from the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA), more than 4,550 Victorians were on waiting lists for drug and alcohol treatment on any given day in September 2024. This situation reflects an alarming trend, particularly among young people, with a reported 33 percent increase in youths seeking help since 2022.
Michelle, a pseudonym for a woman who turned her life around through rehabilitation, experienced the struggles of this overwhelmed system firsthand. She arrived at the Bridge Haven rehabilitation centre in Preston in 2023, desperate for assistance. “I felt I was a slave to the drugs. I couldn’t even consider doing anything without being on drugs,” she shared. Despite her urgent need, Michelle faced a lengthy wait of four months before a bed became available. Once admitted to the Salvation Army-run centre, she successfully completed her rehabilitation program and is now nearing the end of her social work studies.
The numbers paint a troubling picture. The 4,550 individuals waiting for treatment represents the second-highest figure since VAADA began recording data in 2020, just behind the peak of 4,615 in 2024. This surge in demand follows a disturbing finding by the state’s coroner, which reported a ten-year high in drug overdose deaths during the same year.
Scott Drummond, acting chief executive of VAADA, highlighted several contributing factors to the crisis. He pointed to barriers in accessing treatment, an inefficient centralised system, and inadequate funding as primary issues. “There’s great availability of illicit substances, exacerbated by an evolving and unregulated online drug market,” he noted. He also mentioned the increasing pressures on families, particularly due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
The issue of long wait times for treatment is not new. It has been a topic of concern for years, with previous investigations, including a 2014 federal review and a 2018 state inquiry, raising alarms about the accessibility of drug and alcohol care. Drummond expressed particular concern about the rising number of young people waiting for treatment, stating that the youth alcohol and drug treatment sector has seen little change since its establishment 25 years ago.
Funding for youth treatment is critical, Drummond argued, especially when weighed against the costs associated with running the criminal justice system. He pointed to the Allan government’s decision to reopen the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre, which is expected to cost over $140 million over four years. “We can save money, and we can potentially reduce the risk of reoffending by being properly resourced to treat youths with addiction issues,” he stated.
A 2017 investigation led by then-ombudsman Deborah Glass found that prisoners struggling with addiction were more likely to reoffend if they lacked access to support services, both in prison and upon release. “The cold grip of addiction drives a pattern of reoffending, in which too many people cycle in and out of prison,” Glass said.
The crisis has escalated dramatically in recent years. A decade ago, illegal drugs contributed to just under half of the overdose deaths in Victoria. By 2024, this figure had risen to 65.6 percent, up from 58.9 percent in 2023 and 54.9 percent in 2022.
Despite ongoing discussions about a long-term alcohol and drug strategy for Victoria, progress has been slow. In August, Dr. Erin Lalor, chief executive of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, stated that the state lacks a comprehensive approach focused on harm prevention with a dedicated budget. “The state government consulted with the alcohol and other drug sector last year around a dedicated alcohol and drug strategy, but we are still waiting for its release,” she remarked.
The Department of Health has been contacted for comment regarding the ongoing challenges within the treatment system. As demand for drug rehabilitation services continues to grow, the need for timely intervention and systemic reform becomes increasingly urgent in Victoria.
