The ATDC has released the first COVID-19 Impact on Tasmanian ATOD Services Report.
The purpose of this project is to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Tasmanian community managed alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD) sector and provide recommendations to inform the Tasmanian Government’s COVID-19 recovery planning.
The ATDC, in conjunction with members who provide ATOD services, have implemented a process to capture data and information on client demand, workforce and service impacts.
This Report presents information from multiple sources including:
- An online survey of community managed organisations providing ATOD services;
- A group discussion with respondents of the online survey;
- Information from Tasmanians with lived experience of ATODs; and
- Additional information and research relevant to the Tasmanian ATOD sector.
This Report is the first of eight and captures information from July to November 2020. This Report doesn’t provide information on ATOD services delivered by the Tasmanian Department of Health.
Key findings
- The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on Tasmanians who use ATODs.
- More Tasmanians have been reaching out for support.
- At the end of November 2020 there were at least 570 Tasmanians who made the decision to seek support from a specialist ATOD service but are unable to access that service.
- Community managed organisations delivering ATOD services across Tasmania have been attempting to accommodate increasing demand, but their waiting lists are growing.
- Those working for community managed ATOD organisations are working hard but need more support.
Read the report
